About Us

The Refugee New Arrival School (NAS) was established in the late 1990s to serve Guilford County’s refugee community. Despite existing ESOL programs in Greensboro, many refugees—especially mothers—faced barriers like childcare. To address this, NAS was created through a partnership with GTCC, Grace Community Church, and the NC State Refugee Assistance Program (RAP).

NAS operates five days a week for 3.25 hours per day, offering seven adult ESOL classes, two early childhood transitional classes, employment readiness training, and cultural orientation seminars. GTCC provides ESOL instructors, the church hosts the program, and NAI manages daily operations, curriculum development, student enrollment, and childcare services.

Beyond the New Arrival School, the English Language Training (ELT) Program offers ESOL, cultural orientation, health literacy, employment classes, and individual counseling at satellite locations across Greensboro. These programs are crucial for refugees' success, providing language skills, job training, and community integration.

Unlike many refugee programs limited to the first five years of U.S. residency, ELT supports students until they attain citizenship. As a long-term resource, it develops courses tailored to help residents meet employment and societal needs, often serving as their only available support.

The ELT program has long aimed to meet the educational needs of Guilford County’s refugees, but as part of a larger organization, it faced limitations in developing new programs and securing grants. In early 2010, economic challenges signaled inevitable changes to the refugee program. While change can be difficult, it also offers an opportunity to reassess and improve services.

Through prayer, deliberation, and community discussions, a key question emerged: Why not start a nonprofit with the flexibility to secure funding and rapidly develop programs? This vision led to the creation of New Arrivals Institute (NAI). More than just an educational provider, NAI serves as a vital resource for both refugees and the broader community, fostering awareness and support for immigrant needs.