Global Friends Coalition

Global Friends Coalition is a non-profit organization in Grand Forks, ND whose mission is to bring together individuals and organizations to foster refugee (New American) integration through work with New Americans and the Greater Grand Forks community. Global Friends is a grassroots, volunteer-based organization that currently provides tutors and/... or mentors to approximately 120 New American individuals and/or families. This volunteer effort is organized through our Guiding New Americans to Success umbrella program which consists of three main programs: the Family Mentors and Adult Literacy Program, the Resilient Youth Program, and the Community Outreach and Advocacy Program. Through the Family Mentors and Adult Literacy Program we equip volunteers with tutoring materials, thanks to the grant from the Myra Foundation, to work in the homes of New American individuals or families at least once a week. Volunteers who serve as family mentors essentially befriend New Americans and help them integrate into Grand Forks and American culture. Our literacy partner volunteers work one-on-one or in small groups with New Americans to teach them English, ranging from basic literacy to improving conversational English. The Myra Foundation has been generous in granting funds to the Global Friends Coalition to support the Adult Literacy Program for the past three years. The Myra Foundation was established in 2008 and was the first private charitable foundation of its kind in the State of North Dakota. It was organized according to the terms of the Last Will and Testament of the late John E. Myra who died in 1939. The money is to be used for "charitable, character-building, and educational purposes. Since its inception on April 28, 2008, it has awarded grants within Grand Forks County, ND, exceeding seven million dollars.Read More