About Maine Association for New Americans (MANA)
MANA is an immigrant-led organization that promotes the social & personal empowerment of immigrants and advances racial justice and racial equity in Maine through:
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Raising awareness of individual and collective trauma among immigrants
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Providing trauma-aware, multilingual and culturally appropriate transportation services to address social determinants
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Connecting immigrants with their peers across cultures and to resources
Learn more about MANA from its leaders:
Yvette Unezase, Executive Director
Nyamuon Nguany "Moon," Peer Support Program Coordinator
Abdoulkarim Rwasamirera, Community Wellness Transportation Program Coordinator
Apollo Karara, Board Chair
Francine Ngabu, Board Vice Chair
Practicing wellness and healing in nature
Through the #WEOUTSIDE program, MANA is exposing youth of color to outdoor spaces where they have been historically absent. We are making youth of color feel prepared and knowledgeable around being outdoors. Also the youth that we are working with have trauma and bad experiences with nature (fleeing wars, genocide). We really want them to be connected to Maine's outdoor space as a way of healing through reconnection of nature in a positive and safe way.
