Help Nikki Support Refugees in NH

Please support my fundraiser for BCNH!

In January I made a big move. After 12+ years, Dan and I left Boston for New Hampshire. Along with the physical move, I made a big career change, too. I began working at Building Community in New Hampshire, a small nonprofit that helps refugees build safe, healthy, successful lives in NH. 

The news around immigration is bleak at best, dangerous and hateful at its worst. I felt compelled to do something. And so I accepted this role, knowing that our funding would be dramatically reduced before the year's end. Knowing that the political landscape is only going to get worse. Knowing that it was going to be a difficult job. But a difficult job is worth doing to support the people I work with who have already overcome the unimaginable horrors of war, violence, religious persecution, and natural disasters just to be thrust back into a very ugly culture war. And despite it all, they are succeeding. They are learning English, starting new jobs in critical industries, going to school. They are the best of America. I am proud to know them and work with them. 

So I am asking you, my friends and family, to help make their lives, and my job a little easier. A donation of any size will make a world of difference to the refugees from Ukraine, Afghanistan, Haiti, Congo, Rwanda, and Myanmar that we serve. Keep reading to learn more about my new organization, and I hope you'll be moved to support my work. Thank you!

-Nikki

This year, the United States is admitting just 7,500 refugees - that's down from 125,000 in 2025. Federal funding has been gutted. Paperwork processing has slowed down. Work authorizations are expiring early — stranding families just as they were finding their footing. When immigration policies seem too confusing to navigate, and the language barrier seems too difficult to overcome, or a good job feels just out of reach, BCNH is here to help. 

Slava, a BCNH client from Ukraine spoke at an event in April and shared that upon arriving to the US, "Simple things become difficult. Sometimes it was confusing. Sometimes it was frustrating. Then I met BCNH. Honestly, they knew what I needed, even before I understood it myself. From the very first meeting they explained what to do, how to do, when to do, and how to do it correctly. They support, guide, and encourage people everyday. Their work gives something very important: hope. The hope for a stable, safe, and dignified life."

Slava M speaks at BCNH's Celebration of Refugee Resettlement on April 23, 2026Since 2009 BCNH has been walking alongside refugees as they rebuild their lives in the US. Our case managers are former refugees themselves and know personally how difficult the journey can be because. In addition to the critical case management assistance to keep immigration paperwork up to date, BCNH case managers provide workforce development, job placement, ESOL and citizenship classes, school support, and help navigating healthcare. And just as importantly, they provide hope. 

A donation during NH Gives makes a statement that NH stands with refugees. Give today to help keep our doors open to New Americans like Slava and hundreds of other Ukrainian, Afghan, Haitian, Congolese, and Burmese rebuilding their lives in New Hampshire.