Immigrant Pathways Colorado (IPC) has given more than $100,000 in self-development grants to low-income, documented immigrants in Colorado, and in scholarships for immigrant students at Arapahoe Community College.
Susan Thornton, Founder and Chair of the nonprofit and former Littleton Mayor, made the announcement of the grant-giving landmark at a meeting of IPC’s Board on Dec. 17.
Thornton emphasized that the ability to give so many grants was remarkable, since the nonprofit is completely community-supported, receives no state or federal funding and has no staff, only a hard-working Board of Directors. She expressed gratitude for the community’s support of IPC and of New Americans.
Since it began grantmaking in 2010, IPC has made grants and scholarships to immigrants from 37 countries, Thornton said. In 2021 alone, IPC made grants and scholarships available to people from Afghanistan, China, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Nigeria, Philippines, Senegal, South Korea, Tanzania, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
Grants have been for such things as learning English, applying for citizenship, studying to become a doctor, nurse, dentist, dental technician, pharmacy assistant, accountant or engineer, earning a commercial driver’s license, learning auto repair, purchasing tools for work, and much more.
The grants are intended to help immigrants, refugees and asylees build a better future for their families and to help them become more integrated into the community, Thornton said, adding that the nonprofit is preparing to provide grants to Afghan refugees expected in Colorado in 2022.
People wishing to support IPC’s work can make a tax-deductible donation online at www.ImmigrantPathways.org, can donate at www.ColoradoGives.org, or can send a check to IPC at PO Box 401, Littleton, CO 80160.
