The Project

New Americans Citizenship Project of Maryland
The New Americans Citizenship Project of Maryland is an initiative of the Maryland New Americans Partnership (MNAP). MNAP is an expanding volunteer coalition of 35 organizations whose goal is to bring together nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, businesses, unions and faith communities in Maryland who are committed to supporting eligible immigrants in their efforts to become U.S. citizens and active members of their communities post-naturalization. In September of 2009, with support from the Governor's Office on Service and Volunteerism and AmeriCorps, MNAP launched the New Americans Citizenship Project of Maryland to build the capacity of existing community-based organizations through integrated citizenship services.

New Americans Citizenship Project of Maryland AmeriCorps Members provide direct service in outreach, individual service delivery, and coordination of naturalization volunteers. Activities include teaching ESOL and citizenship classes, assisting people with the N-400, and organizing citizenship workshops. A total of seven volunteers are placed at host sites in Montgomery County, Baltimore City, Howard County, and Frederick County.

Download a copy of the A Regional Citizenship Promotion Plan: The New Americans Initiative, or read the stories of immigrants who have worked with NACPM members to get their citizenship.

Host Organizations
APALRC - BCCC - CASA de Maryland - FIRN - L.I.F.E. and Discovery - MVMA

• Asian Pacific Americans Legal Resource Center (APALRC)
  The Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center (APALRC) is the Capitol RegionÂ?s nonprofit advocate advancing the legal and civil rights of Asian Americans through direct services, education, and advocacy. The APALRC's main goals are to address the individual legal needs of low-income and limited-English proficient Asian Americans and to advocate for broad-based systemic change on legal and civil rights issues impacting Asian Americans.
  
  
• Baltimore City Community College (BCCC)
  Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) provides outstanding educational, cultural, and social experiences to the residents of Baltimore City, the state of Maryland, and surrounding areas. The CollegeÂ?s accessible, affordable, comprehensive programs include college transfer and career preparation, technical training, and life skills training. The College provides a variety of student services that meet and support the learning needs of an increasingly diverse student population. BCCC is a dynamic higher education institution that is responsive to the changing needs of its stakeholders: individuals, businesses, government, and educational institutions of the community at large.
  
  
• CASA de Maryland
  CASA's primary mission is to work with the community to improve the quality of life and fight for equal treatment and full access to resources and opportunities for low-income Latinos and their families. CASA also works with other low-income immigrant communities and organizations, makes its programs and activities available to them, and advocates for social, political, and economic justice for all low-income communities.
  
  
• FIRN
  FIRN is a nonprofit organization in Howard County, Maryland that empowers immigrants, refugees, asylees and other foreign-born individuals by helping them to access community resources and opportunities. FIRN provides immigration counseling and citizenship classes, interpreting & translation services, employment counseling, English tutoring, information and referrals, and a variety of workshops.
  
  
• L.I.F.E. & Discovery
  LIFE & Discovery provides a dynamic setting where instructors are passionate about bestowing their wisdom and knowledge to their students in a fun learning atmosphere. Our selection of course offerings are purposefully eclectic, and we look to fill the thirst for knowledge of both children as well as adults. At LIFE & Discovery, we believe that learning should be a life-long process Â? not something that stops once you graduate from school or enter the workforce.
  
  
• Maryland Vietnamese Mutual Association (MVMA)
  MVMAÂ?s mission is to serve, support, and advance the Vietnamese American community. While MVMA's special commitment is to advocate for the cause of Vietnamese Americans, it serves all immigrant communities. Our vision is to build a strong, unified, and caring Vietnamese American community, where young people, adults and elders are engaging and contributing citizens through continuing educational, social and economic advancement, while maintaining our cultural heritage.