Save the date and buy your tickets now! The Unity in Light Dashain-Tihar Fundraiser is being held at the Jefferson Country Club in Blacklick on October 24. It includes a Nepali Asian Fusion vegetarian meal, BCCO programming and entertainment, a cash bar and many more surprises! Tickets and sponsorships are available at https://bccoh.org/unityinlight2024/

BCCO is launching its first afterschool program. The program will serve middle school students and is funded by the City of Columbus. We are recruiting students as well as teachers. Teachers will commit to 12 hour per week. Volunteer tutors are also welcome! See more on our website at https://bccoh.org/afterschool/ or contact [email protected].

This summer, high school students from Licking County had the opportunity to participate in the TANF Summer Youth Employment Program, sponsored by Licking County Job and Family Services. Through this initiative, students were placed in a variety of local organizations, including BCCO, Excel Home Health Care, and Serenity Home Health Care etc. These placements allowed students to gain hands-on experience while developing essential skills such as management, organizational, public speaking, Team work, and attention to detail. The program aimed to equip them with the tools needed for future academic and professional success.

The impact of the Summer Youth Program extends beyond just the students, as it also strengthens the community by fostering a more skilled and prepared workforce. Participants like Prasan and Ronisha shared how the program helped them grow in confidence and capability, preparing them for their future careers. As the program concludes, Licking County JFS and BCCO encourage other local businesses to partner with us in future years to continue providing meaningful opportunities for the Bhutanese-Nepali youth in their professional journey.

Executive Director Sudarshan Pyakurel represented the Bhutanese community at a White House mental health summit focused on improving equity and access to behavioral health care for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) communities.

Six youth in high school and college are learning to produce podcasts with the Bhutan Memory Podcast. This is part of an oral history collection capturing the memories of older men and women and presenting them from a youth perspective. Check out the podcasts at bhutanmemory.org

Seven weeks of BCCO’s first ever summer camp wrapped up with an Author’s Party. The eight students, who are part of the BRIDGE program, each wrote their story. The stories were compiled into a single book and revealed to parents and staff at the celebration.

During the camp, the students also participated in enrichment activities including physical activities at parks and learning at museums and historical centers.

The Arogya Free Health Education Outreach Clinic begins July 30. We are excited to begin offering these free services in Reynoldsburg. It will include Balance Clinics, OSU Street Medicine Health Screenings, Diabetes Health Education, Hypertension Education and more. RSVP at https://fb.me/e/5toxFbok

Mark your calendars! BCCO is hosting a Dussehra & Diwali Fundraiser on October 24. Stay tuned for more information.