On March 22, NICE's President & CEO, Gatluak Thach, gathered with other New American and International community leaders from Nashville for the inaugural session of My City Academy, an initiative of Mayor Karl Dean's New American Advisory Council intended to build a network of concerned citizens, increase knowledge of how city government works among Nashville's immigrants and refugees and encourage engagement of all Nashvillians. My City Academy will host one session a month for six months covering topics such as the history of Nashville and its government, the State Legislature, infrastructure, public safety, social services and child and youth issues.

On Saturday, February 18, NICE partnered with the South Nashville Family Resource Center and the Vanderbilt Center for Health Services CASTLES program to offer a refugee-centered Community Kitchen at the Coleman Community Center. Egyptian immigrant and friend of NICE, Evon Ishak, taught the audience how to cook an Egyptian dish, Mosha’a, while telling us about Egyptian culture. During the meal, local community members also shared exercise and nutrition lessons as well. Everyone in attendance was given the recipe and fresh, budget-conscience ingredients in order to replicate the meal at home. There was a great turnout, and everyone had a wonderful time! Here’s what the audience had to say: “I think this is an amazing organization—I struck conversation with people in the community and learned about Egyptian culture.” “It was great and delicious! I’m glad they had an Egyptian chef.” “Can’t wait until the next one!” The South Nashville Family Resource Center and CASTLES offer these free Community Kitchens every month at the Coleman Community Center. For more information on these monthly events, please click here. After this successful event, we hope to continue partnering with them in the future to offer Nashville’s refugee population quality nutrition education!

On November 1, 2010, the family of Gatluak Thach, Executive Director of NICE, was honored with the Habitat for Humanity dedication of their new home. The dwelling, built by community hands, is on Partner Way, in Nashville, TN. Because of the generosity of Nashville citizens who donated time and resources to building the structure, Gat and his wife can now raise their daughter and son in a safe, quiet neighborhood. Gatluak's mother, Mary, also joins them in their new home. Congratulations to the Thach family! Thank you to Habitat for Humanity for making this dream come true for a deserving group of people!

June 30, 2010