Welcome to the Quad Cities
AKWAABA QC, which means "WELCOME QUAD CITIES," is a nonprofit organization founded to address the unique challenges faced by immigrants, refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers in the Quad Cities region.
Our founder, an immigrant from Togo, moved to the United States in 2008 while eight months pregnant. Having experienced firsthand the difficulties of navigating resources in a new country with language barriers, she recognized the urgent need for a support system that truly understands the immigrant experience.
AKWAABA QC was founded on the Community Navigator Model, an innovative approach to serving immigrant communities. Community Navigators are individuals from the community who are trained to:
By serving the large and diverse immigrant population in the Quad Cities, we have developed specialized training programs. Through the Community Navigator model, highly motivated volunteers from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and South America become skilled leaders in the larger immigrant rights movement.
All of our Community Navigators are trained and must attend a comprehensive "Train the Trainer" program that covers:
Understanding legal rights and protections
Unauthorized Practice of Law guidelines
Connecting clients with appropriate services
To welcome immigrants, refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers in the Quad Cities by providing them with necessary training and information that will help them integrate into the Quad City community and lead them to their full potential through our unique Community Navigator model.
To bring the diverse Quad Cities community together through outreach, education, collaboration, and partnership with stakeholders, legislators, businesses, community leaders, and community members with an ultimate goal to commit and distinguish the Quad Cities as a "beloved community" – one that holds equity, inclusion, and caring in our hearts and that brings unity and compassion to life through action.
We are immigrants ourselves who share the same linguistic and cultural backgrounds of the community we serve.
We understand our immigrant communities' struggles because we have walked in their shoes too.
We care about our immigrant communities and provide them with the resources they need to better navigate the Quad Cities.
We speak the languages spoken by our immigrant community, breaking down communication barriers.
Join us in our mission to welcome and support immigrants in the Quad Cities.