Please join us in welcoming the English Language Center's newest team member, Judith Mwamba!

Judith started this month as a teaching assistant at the ELC in Boise. She brings a bright light to the center and has quickly built a good rapport with students.

Judith is new to Boise. Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, she lived in Namibia for over 20 years. She has an associate degree in accounting and auditing. 

Judith enjoys spending time helping people in various ways. Since arriving in Boise, she has interpreted for the International Rescue Committee and has volunteered with IOR's Global Talent program.

Judith's experiences as a refugee, with refugees, and with different language and cultural groups give her the strength, understanding and knowledge to assist others along their journey.

Welcome, Judith!

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​Eulalia Gallegos has joined the city of Boise as Language Access Program Manager.

Her role focuses on ensuring equal access to city services, activities, programs, and facilities for bilingual or multilingual people or those who prefer a language other than English. 

Eulalia is in the process of developing a citywide plan to formalize language access and create an inclusive environment that fully embraces and centers the voices of Indigenous, im/migrant, and refugee communities. 

Eulalia has lived in Southwest Idaho for most of her life. Her academic and career trajectory has focused on creating more accessible public institutions. She graduated from The College of Idaho with a bachelor's in biology and minors in political economy, Spanish, and journalism in 2017. She then pursued a master's in education with certification to teach secondary natural science and biology from the University of Idaho and graduated in 2019.

A fourth-year doctoral student at the University of Idaho, Eulalia's dissertation explores the experience of bi/multilingual Latino students and families in rural Southwest Idaho. She's excited about enhancing language access services for the City of Boise and working with communities to ensure all residents have meaningful access.

Welcome, Eulalia!

Global Talent, a career guidance program at the Idaho Office for Refugees, is thrilled to introduce new team member Arbay Mberwa.

Arbay is serving as a Global Talent intern for six weeks this summer. She will be organizing Global Talent's next Career Summit on Aug. 18.

This is a big endeavor, as it's been more than two years since the last summit due to the pandemic.

"We are so thankful to have Arbay on the team, and will benefit greatly from her leadership, vision, and organizational skills!" said Global Talent Project Manager Hannah Roche. 

Arbay Mberwa was born in a small village in Kenya and was raised in Boise. She's going into her senior year at Boise State University majoring in urban studies and community development.

"I like to ride my longboard and go on walks in the park," she said. "Ready to learn new information with this internship and to organize the career summit."

Welcome, Arbay!

Thank you to everyone who made World Refugee Day so meaningful in Boise and Twin Falls last month! It was a time to honor and recognize the journey of refugees around the world, celebrate diverse cultures, and connect with each other. Fourteen New Americans were celebrated at a citizenship ceremony in Boise.

"It always brings tears to my eyes," Salome Mwangi, coordinator of the Refugee Speakers Bureau, told KIVI, "because it reminds me of when I became an American citizen and the implications of that legally, socially and personally."

Photo Gallery from the Times-News: Magic Valley Refugee Day Celebration

World Refugee Day-Boise photos below by Angie Smith of Stronger Shines the Light.