Executive Director and Founder
Helping Newcomers Adapt: Bright Move Network
Being a refugee or immigrant in a new country can be an overwhelming, daunting, and confusing experience. Clementine Msengi, 34, can relate. In 1995, she arrived in Iowa as a refugee from Rwanda’s genocide. Speaking little English, and not understanding American culture, she had a difficult time adjusting. Since then, though, Clementine has earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree, and started Bright Move Network. The organization helps refugees and immigrants in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area of Iowa adapt to life in the American Midwest, while also introducing the local community to its newest residents. It integrates newcomers into the community by matching them with mentors, offering skills training, and providing referrals to service providers. The goal is to empower immigrants and refugees with the skills and resources needed in order to be self-sufficient, contributing members of their adopted communities. To learn more about Clementine’s work as Executive Director of Bright Move Network, check out this week’s Nonprofit Spotlight.
Non-Profit
Bright Move Network
Founded
2003
Website
Name, Title
Clementine M. Msengi
Executive Director
Age
34
Hometown
Rwanda
Current residence
Cedar Falls, IA
Education
University of Northern Iowa
MA in Community Health
University of Northern Iowa
BA in Health Promtion
Ethnicity
African
About the non-profit
Bright Move Network (BMN) is a community organization located in and serving Waterloo/Cedar Falls metro area in Iowa. BMN works on assisting refugee and immigrant populations (newcomers) adjust to a new and vastly different Midwestern American culture. BMN serves as the cultural bridge amongst the newcomers, community residents and community organizations. BMN premise is that deliberate programming that promotes immediate integration into the community will foster greater understanding and awareness for both the newcomers and the community.
What are your day-to-day responsibilities?
As executive director, I am responsible for all the management and programs, fundraising, hiring and supervising staff, working with the board, supervising interns, budgeting, creating programs and sustaining them, and community outreach.
Most notable milestones
I am so thankful to be able to have a family.
What’s the niche?
Bright Move has developed a unique way of integrating immigrants and refugees in the community. We use a one-on-one approach, and we also use community based approach to facilitate integration.
What’s the biggest challenge?
Funding is our biggest challenge, we have so many things that we like to accomplish, but sometimes we have to limit what we can do because of the funding. .
What’s in store for the future?
I pray and trust God for