Kim Peasley

Know Your Rights 2.0 Workshop NAC Cohosts—Newcomers Access Center was honored to cohost an advanced, county‑focused event on immigration rights in partnership with the LA County Office of Immigrant Affairs. Know Your Rights 2.0 brought together a broad coalition of nonprofit organizations, community groups, and advocates for a virtual conversation with leadership from LA County’s Department of

Thank You to Early Gala Sponsors— A heartfelt thank‑you to our early Gala Sponsors for their generosity and trust in NAC’s work: Gold Sponsor Tom Thorward, Silver Sponsors Foothill Transit and Porter Real Estate, and Copper Sponsors Tom & Barbara Shelley. Your sponsorship not only provides essential financial support — it also signals a powerful

NAC Welcomes Foundation– NAC was honored to be selected as one of three California nonprofits featured by the California Agriculture Leadership Foundation, an organization that partners with five universities to develop emerging leaders in the agricultural sector. NAC was highlighted alongside Homeboy Industries and AbilityFirst. Nearly forty young agricultural professionals spent the afternoon at NAC,

Courier Covers Rotary Peace Pole Event— NAC president Anne Thorward spoke at the dedication of a Peace Pole in Claremont, an event sponsored by Claremont Rotary Club and covered by an article in the Claremont Courier. The pole carries the message “May peace prevail on earth” in eight languages.

NAC Invited to UN Day Celebration— In honor of the United Nations’ 80th Anniversary in 2025, UN Association chapters across the country hosted commemorative events. On October 30, the UNA-Pomona Valley chapter welcomed over 300 attendees to a vibrant evening of dinner, awards, and inspiring speakers. Among the honored guests were five clients from NAC,

Speaking Engagements— Raising awareness about NAC families and how we can support them is essential to our success. For nearly a decade, our board members, staff, and clients have presented NAC’s work empowering newcomers on their journey toward independence. Recently, NAC Board President Anne Thorward spoke and clients shared their stories at: Pilgrim Congregational Church

Luncheon Held For Volunteers— Volunteers are the heartbeat of Newcomers Access Center (NAC). To celebrate their invaluable contributions, NAC hosted its annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on Sunday, October 12. Our dedicated volunteers play a vital role in supporting newcomer clients in countless ways—providing transportation, tutoring in English, assisting with administrative tasks, and helping organize events such

Welcoming Newcomers Gala— You are invited to Newcomers Access Center’s 2026 Gala to be held Sunday, April 12, 2026 from 4 pm – 8 pm at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Ontario. The fundraising dinner and auction benefit refugees and immigrants in the community. Enjoy good company, new friends, delicious food, live music, and auctions

Evan Freund Joins Board— NAC welcomes a new board member. Evan Freund is an accomplished health services executive and consultant. He served as Executive Director and COO of ambulatory medical care and HMO delivery systems in Chicago for more than 25 years. His career orientation in health care was the development of services for underserved

Fundraiser for NAC at Ophelia’s Jump— Ophelia’s Jump, a local theater company, is sponsoring a cabaret fundraiser for NAC on July 25, 2025. The cabaret will feature professional performances of songs from beloved musicals such as Chicago, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, and more. It promises to be a night filled with joy, music,

NAC Hosts Know Their Rights Workshop— NAC hosted a workshop for Immigrants and their allies, “Training for Immigrant Allies in Workplaces, Schools, and Churches” on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at Newcomers Access Center in Claremont. The workshop was facilitated by Jonathan Fung, Director of Legal Services at the Immigration Resource Center of San Gabriel Valley

Kiwanis Support NAC— Anne Thorward, President of Newcomers Access Center (NAC), accepted a check from Lee Moreno, chair of the Claremont Kiwanis Club Foundation to assist with housing, driving lessons, diapers and whatever else is needed for immigrant families. NAC is most grateful for their generosity, as the funds from the grant will directly help

NAC Gives Talk at Univ. of Redlands— NAC president Anne Thorward was the featured speaker at an American Association of University Women event at the University of Redland on May 6. She shared information about how NAC serves newcomers in Southern California communities. More than 110 people attended. There was a Q&A opportunity that included

Opinion Article Published— The Claremont Courier published an article, “Viewpoint: An Old Story Resonates at Home,” by NAC board president Anne Thorward on May 19, 2025. The article disucsses how faith-based groups are often the first to step up to partner with nonprofits to help those in need. The article was part of the newspapers

Thank You to Gala 2025 Sponsors and Donors! NAC held its third annual fundraising gala on Sunday, May 4, 2025,  at the Doubletree by Hilton in Ontario. More than 150 attendees enjoyed good company, new friends, delicious food, live music, and auctions while supporting a worthy cause. Money raised will benefit refugees and immigrants in

Know Your Rights. Know Their Rights. Immigrants and their allies are invited to attend a workshop “Training for Immigrant Allies in Workplaces, Schools, and Churches” on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, from 11:30 am to 1 pm at Newcomers Access Center in Claremont. The workshop will be facilitated by Jonathan Fung, Director of Legal Services at the

Article on NAC in Courier— The Claremont Courier Newspaper published an article “Newcomers Access Center Perseveres in Uncertain Times” on April 24, 2025. Reporter Andrew Alonzo wrote about how NAC is helping refugees and immigrants during a times when the political landscape makes immigrants uneasy.  Visit the Courier website to read the article.  

May 4 Gala to Raise Funds for NAC Please join Newcomers Access Center at the NAC Gala at the Doubletree by Hilton in Ontario on May 4. The fundraising dinner and auction benefit refugees and immigrants in the community. Enjoy good company, new friends, delicious food, live music, and auctions while supporting a worthy cause.

Needed: New school supplies & backpacks for NAC families. Drop off donations between 10-2 daily. Our office is located at 233 Harrison, Suite B5 (behind the stage). Thank you. We also need books for young children to start a home library. And, we always welcome financial contributions.

Leadership in giving by our Gala Sponsors enables Newcomers Access Center to host a successful gala that raises money to help newcomers in our community. We appreciate  the generosity of our sponsors in supporting NAC’s gala and helping those less fortunate start new lives in Southern California. Visit our Gala Sponsor page to see a list of all our sponsors. 

Nabila Painda gives a firsthand account of escaping the harsh rule of the Taliban in Afghanistan in a three-part series “Nabila’s Journey,” that was published in the Claremont Courier. She begins her story when she was 8 and the Taliban took over and barred girls from school. Her mother joined other brave women to start an underground school for girls, but one day Nabila watched in horror as the Taliban came and shot the women. Her mother survived, and the family fled to Pakistan for five years, returning to Afghanistan after the Taliban was removed from power. Nabila became a teacher and then a principal of a school for girls.  But in 2021 when U.S. forces left Afghanistan, the Taliban returned. In the Courier articles, Nabila writes about how her family escaped again, eventually ending up in the Inland Valley.  NAC helped the Painda family when they arrived in Claremont, and we are proud of its accomplishments. We hope you will read all three parts of Nabila’s powerful story of courage and determination. Her story represents one of the many families NAC serves.

Sunday, March 31, 2024, is the last day to buy Early-Bird seats to the Newcomers Access Center’s gala. After that date, regular ticket prices will be $125 each. Bring friends to fill a table for eight. Buy tickets at newcomersaccesscenter.org/gala/.

Newcomers Access Center’s Gala will be held Sunday, April 21, 2024, at the Doubletree Hilton in Ontario. The memorable evening includes sizzling Latin jazz by the Susie Hansen Latin Band, interactive magic by magician and emcee, Aaron O’Brien, and silent and live auctions with fabulous items donated by supporters. (Auction donations still welcome!) Last year NAC’s gala sold out, so take advantage of early prices and get your gala seats now.

Proceeds directly benefit refugees and immigrants in the community.

Get your business’s name in front of a diverse and influential audience while supporting a worthy cause! You are invited to donate an auction item to Newcomers Access Center’s Gala to be held Sunday, April 21, 2024, at the Doubletree Hilton in Ontario. The memorable evening includes sizzling Latin jazz by the Susie Hansen Latin Band, interactive magic by magician and emcee, Aaron O’Brien, and silent and live auctions with fabulous items donated by supporters. Last year our gala sold out, and this year we anticipate a crowd of 250 influential community members. Benefits of donating to the auction include recognition at the event as well on our website, newsletter, and social media. Learn more about sponsorships, auction donations, and tickets on the Gala Page on our website.

Sizzling Latin Jazz to Spice Up NAC Gala April 21

Newcomers Access Center is pleased to announce that the Susie Hansen Latin Band will provide entertainment at our fundraising Gala held Sunday April 21, 2024, at the Doubletree Hilton in Ontario! Gala goers will be treated to swinging salsa music featuring the fiery Hansen on electric violin backed up by all-star band members who blend Afro-Cuban and straight-ahead jazz. The memorable evening also includes interactive magic by magician Aaron O’Brien, who will emcee the event, and auctions where you can bid on fabulous gifts.

Gala tickets are $125 per person. Early Bird tickets are $100 per person until March 31, 2024. Sponsorships and auction donations are welcome. Visit the Gala Page on NAC’s website to learn more and to purchase tickets or sponsorships.

The Rotary Club of Claremont learned about how Newcomers Access Center helps refugees and immigrants in the community at a lunch on Friday, January 18. The club invited NAC president Anne Thorward and client Iuliia Blakytna, a newcomer from Ukraine, to speak. Anne gave a slide presentation with examples showing how NAC works with partner organizations and volunteers to help newcomers as they start new lives in the U.S. Iuliia spoke to the group about her personal experience leaving Ukraine after Russia invaded. She shared how NAC has helped her family which includes her 13-year-old daughter and her mother, Tetiana Korotkova. Iuliia’s husband remains in Ukraine caring for his elderly parents who cannot travel. The Rotary Club presented a $500 check to NAC for which NAC is most grateful.

A big shout out to Claremont Rotarians who purchased, delivered and installed two new storage cabinets for the NAC office. These talented volunteers helped NAC get better organized. From L-R, thanks goes to Mark Carson, Tom Shelley, Gerald Goldman, and John Howland. You really have made a difference.

In Memoriam: Sandra Hester Newcomers Access Center recently lost a founder and long-time board member, Sandra Hester. She is already greatly missed by the board, staff, donors and friends of NAC. In addition to her significant financial support for NAC, Sandy served as Board VP and a Finance committee member, stepping in whenever needed. Her

This summer, NAC welcomed Claire, a Junior at Pomona College studying Public Policy Analysis, as a Development Intern. While with us, Claire was instrumental in strategizing, drafting, and submitting two important grant proposals to help NAC expand its services to refugee and immigrant families. She also helped create a survey to help NAC better understand and support client families’ needs and aspirations. Her internship was generously funded by the Kolibri Internship Program and administered by Pomona College Internship Program (PCIP). Claire is continuing to help NAC grow in its capacity to serve newcomer families this fall through funding opportunities. She recently attended the Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP) Western Region Conference, where she had the opportunity to hear presentations from and network with professionals in the business development field, and is looking forward to applying what she learned to this internship. NAC is grateful for our continued partnership with Pomona College and the hard work of all our college interns!

If you must take Required Minimum Distributions from IRA accounts, consider making a direct transfer from your IRA to NAC. By doing so, you may reduce your tax liability in the year of the gift. Contact your broker about how to transfer your distributions. Or, call NAC for information. NAC receives such donations every month. Thank you.

Angel Choukeir has been appointed to NAC’s board. Angel is a dedicated person with a passion for both fitness and scientific research. He owns a personal training business taking pride in helping people achieve their health and fitness goals. He conducts biochemistry and molecular physiology research for a local university, merging cutting-edge research into application. He is currently a premedical student intending to pursue a medical degree with a focus on global healthcare. His goal is to work with Doctors Without Borders and provide medical services in underserved communities around the world. He says that he is “forever grateful for the opportunities I have made within the community.” Angel has certainly demonstrated his volunteer service as a terrific multi-talented, energetic worker at NAC doing various tasks over the years with clients, staff and other volunteers.

Will you donate school supplies to Newcomers Access Center refugee students (K-12)? Please deliver new backpacks, notebooks, and other school supplies to the NAC office at 233 Harrison Avenue, Level B (via elevator), between 11 am – 2:30 pm weekdays. Please donate by July 26. Thank you.

NAC Speaks at Solid Rock Church On Saturday May 27 Solid Rock Church in Claremont hosted a dinner and discussion panel regarding the refugee and immigrant experience in the US.There was a delicious Halal dinner provided by an NAC family from Syria, followed by the discussion panel. NAC president, Anne Thorward, spoke oncurrent issues facing

Newcomers Access Center (NAC) is pleased to offer a free Immigration Workshop called Know Your Rights, focused primarily on the status of pathways for Afghan and Ukrainian nationals. The workshop will take place on Tuesday, March 14, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, in the Sumner Room at the NAC office building at 233 Harrison Avenue in Claremont. Enter in the front of the church building, not the NAC office.

This workshop will be presented by an immigration manager and a legal representative from the International Rescue Committee of Los Angeles. A limited number of private, personal consultations with an IRC accredited representative will be available after the formal presentation. Pre-registration is required to attend the event and also for the limited slots for consultation. To register, email office@newcomersaccesscenter.org as soon as possible.

January 2023
“If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.”  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

These words from the late civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspire us to do whatever small things we can do during these troubled times.  As we enter a New Year, I would like to take a moment to thank our volunteers, donors, partners and friends for all those things you “do in a great way” for Newcomers Access Center. Your small acts added up in 2022, enabling us to serve more  families. We are humbled by their accomplishments. (read more)

Tickets to Newcomers Access Center’s Gala are now on sale on the Gala Page on our website. Our Gala Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction will be held on Sunday, February 26, 2023, from 4 pm to 7 pm at the beautiful Padua Hills Theatre in Claremont.  Enjoy good company, new friends, delicious food, live music and a silent auction.  You may buy individual tickets, a table for 8 or 9, or a sponsorship (which includes a table). The event includes a delicious Mediterranean dinner, live music,  opportunity drawing ticket(s), and participate in a Silent Auction. Bid on many valuable gifts during the Silent Auction donated by NAC‘s supporters. All proceeds benefit programs for refugees and immigrants in our community.

Newcomers Access Center (NAC) has moved!

233 W. Harrison Ave., Suite B5, Claremont.

NAC is located in the Claremont United Church of Christ building.

To reach NAC’s office do one of the following:

Go through the church building, go past the church office, and take the elevator and press B.

Or

Enter off 6th Street (free parking lot across the street), then take walkway to outside elevator and press B. 

Our phone number remains (909) 455-3248.

For Giving Tuesday, consider donating to Newcomers Access Center. We help refugees and immigrants in the Inland Valley area of Southern California. We serve families in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties. In the last year, we have helped many Afghan and Ukrainian families forced to flee violence in their homeland. Learn more about donating on our website. Thank you!

How You Can Help Ukrainian Refugees in Claremont CA How You Can Help Ukrainian Families Do you want to help Ukrainian refugees living in Claremont? The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February forced more than 7 million Ukrainians to flee. Most are living in Europe, but some 100,000 came to the US. Newcomers Access Center (NAC) helped settle

Volunteers are at the heart of the success of Newcomers Access Center (NAC). In appreciation, NAC held a Volunteer Appreciation lunch on Sunday October 9. The event was hosted by NAC board members and held at Edelweiss Premier Ballroom in San Dimas, owned by Alex and Alla Novikova, who generously donated space for the event.

NAC board president Anne Thorward presented Certificates of Appreciation to volunteers, and guests enjoyed lunch and a quick demonstration of dance techniques led by Alex. NAC volunteers help newly arrived refugee families set up and get settled into temporary apartments. They also help with school enrollments, homework, transportation, shopping, job sources, organizing and much more. Tutoring refugees in English is one of the most important tasks NAC volunteers perform. Beyond providing practical help, volunteers strengthen the courage and resilience of refugees as they rebuild lives in a new country. Thank you to all our fabulous volunteers. More photos of the event can be viewed on the luncheon photo gallery.

Meet two refugees living in the local area being helped by NAC in a recent episode of the Claremont Speaks podcast. Nabila fled from Afghanistan last August with her family, and Hannah fled Ukraine in September 2022 with with her two daughters. NAC board president Anne Thorward interviews the two women about the challenges they face as refugees living, for now, in temporary housing arranged by NAC in Claremont.

Grace Lutheran Church in Upland and Newcomers Access Center (NAC) in Claremont invite you to a Benefit Concert for Refugee Relief. Listen to the classical music of Tatiana Thibodeaux & Rachel Better-Huang and, at a reception following the concert, meet friends, enjoy wine and cheese, and learn about how NAC helps refugees in the local community. The concert will be held Saturday, November 12, 2022, with the concert starting at 4:30 pm and the reception following at 5:30 pm. Grace Lutheran Church is located at 2108 N. Euclid Avenue in Upland CA 91784. Tickets may be purchased for a $20 donation to Newcomers Access Center.

Newcomers Access Center is seeking restaurant or catering sponsors who will donate a a Tasting Table at our Gala on Sunday, February 26, 2023, at the Padua Hills Theatre. Your generous contribution allows us to put on a fabulous event and supports an underserved vulnerable population in our community. Please contact Gala@newcomersaccess.org for more information. Benefits include.

• Signage at your Tasting Table
• Name printed in Gala Program
• Public recognition during the program
• Your donation may be tax deductible
• Align your business with a worthy cause
• Listed as a Catering Sponsor on NAC website

NAC hosted a free Eye Exam Clinic on Saturday, August 20 at the NAC office. NAC families from Afghanistan, Syria, and Ukraine with a total of 15 clients, got their vision checked by ophthalmologists Peter Bekendam and Brian M. Alva, who donated their services. Thank you, Dr. Bekendam and Dr. Alva!

Mark your calendars for Sunday, February 26, 2023. Newcomers Access Center (NAC) will hold its fundraising gala at the beautiful Padua Hills Theatre in Claremont. Enjoy good company, new friends, delicious food, live music and a silent auction to benefit NAC families. Tickets will be on sale soon. You may buy individual tickets, a table, or a sponsorship (which includes a table). Your ticket includes entrance to the event held at the beautiful historic Padua Hills Theatre, dinner, music, an opportunity drawing ticket, and a chance to meet friends and supporters of NAC. It also includes a Silent Auction where you can bid on many valuable items donated by our supporters. Learn more on our Gala page.