Center for New Americans

What Center for New Americans does

Center for New Americans (CNA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1992/1993 and headquartered at James House, 42 Gothic Street in Northampton, Massachusetts. It welcomes and serves immigrants, refugees, migrants, and asylum-seekers across Western Massachusetts through four program sites in Northampton, Amherst, Greenfield, and Springfield. Its service mix is built around three pillars: free English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes at multiple proficiency levels delivered in-person, hybrid, and online evening formats; immigration legal services recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice covering green card applications, employment authorization documents, and citizenship preparation; and career preparation support including mock job fairs and employer connections. Complementary programs include a Hybrid Newcomer Program funded by English for New Bostonians and the MA Office for Refugees, nurse aide vocational training with Smith Vocational School, college-access partnerships with Holyoke Community College and Greenfield Community College, and community-building events such as the annual July 4th Naturalization Ceremony and the Immigrant Voices arts showcase.

CNA operates a community-embedded service delivery model rather than a technology product. It does not sell services to beneficiaries — all ESOL classes, legal services, citizenship support, and career preparation are provided free of charge. Revenue is generated through a diversified mix of government grants (MA Office for Refugees and Immigrants, MA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education), private foundation grants (English for New Bostonians, Mass Humanities, Women's Fund of Western Massachusetts, Alliance for Digital Equity, Awesome Foundation), employer sponsorship (e.g., River Valley Co-op's Change for Change program), and individual donations channeled through recurring giving and the annual 30 Poems in November! literary fundraiser, which raised $75,000 in both 2022 and 2023. The organization is governed by a volunteer board of directors led by Chair Anthony Pagan (elected 2024) and is staffed by 11-50 employees including a Director (Laurie Millman), legal staff (Staff Attorney Alex Kaezem), advising and education coordinators, and a Tech Associate.

CNA's go-to-market motion is community-led: beneficiaries are reached through word-of-mouth, referrals from community partners (libraries, employers, colleges, healthcare providers), local earned media (New England Public Media, Daily Hampshire Gazette, Western Mass News), and active social channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn). Strategic priorities center on expanding program capacity (Hybrid Newcomer Program, nurse aide training, college-access pipelines), strengthening the employer partner network for job placement outcomes, and sustaining annual civic traditions that reinforce brand visibility in Western Massachusetts.

Name

Center for New Americans

Legal name

Center for New Americans

Website

https://cnam.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Center for New Americans is a Western Massachusetts nonprofit that provides free English classes, DOJ-recognized immigration legal services, citizenship support, and career preparation to immigrants, refugees, migrants, and asylum-seekers across four program sites.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Immigrant Education and Support Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

English for Citizenship (ESL/Civics Integrated) (EDAAADAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Refugee & Humanitarian Newcomer Orientation (Resettlement Support) (EDAAADAI), Citizenship Test Preparation (Civics & Interview) (EDAAADAA), Workplace & Career Integration for Immigrants (Credentialing, Job Readiness) (EDAAADAE), Immigration, Citizenship & Integration Language Exam Prep (EDANACAG)

Keywords

• ESOL adult education
• Immigration legal services
• Citizenship preparation
• Refugee resettlement support
• Career preparation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Northampton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The organization relies on donations from individuals and organizations. Annual literary fundraiser '30 Poems in November!' raised $75,000 in 2022 and 2023. Monthly giving options and one-time contribution amounts ranging from $20 to $1,000+ are available.
2. Grant Funding: Center for New Americans receives grant support from government agencies (MA Office for Refugees), foundations (English for New Bostonians, Mass Humanities, Women's Fund of Western Massachusetts), and organizations like MIRA Coalition.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Center for New Americans is a community-based nonprofit that provides free English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes at multiple proficiency levels, complemented by citizenship preparation, immigration legal services (green card and employment authorization assistance), and career preparation support including mock job fairs and employer connections. All services are delivered at no cost to immigrants, refugees, migrants, and asylum-seekers across four program sites in Western Massachusetts.

Product overview

Center for New Americans is a nonprofit social services organization offering a unified set of educational and support services for immigrants, refugees, migrants, and asylum-seekers in Western Massachusetts. The core offerings center on free ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes at multiple proficiency levels, supplemented by immigration legal services and citizenship preparation support. Additional programs include career preparation assistance with mock job fairs and employer connections, vocational training such as nurse aide certification, and college preparation through partnerships with local community colleges. The organization operates across four locations (Northampton, Amherst, Greenfield, and Springfield) providing in-person, hybrid, and online instruction formats, and hosts annual events including naturalization ceremonies and the Immigrant Voices artistic showcase.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• English Classes (ESOL) Free English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes offered at multiple proficiency levels, delivered in-person, hybrid, and online evening formats across Northampton, Amherst, Greenfield, and Springfield locations for immigrants, refugees, migrants, and asylum-seekers.
• Citizenship Support Assistance with citizenship applications, interview preparation, and naturalization ceremony coordination for eligible immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship.
• Immigration Legal Services Legal assistance for immigration matters including green card applications, employment authorization documents, and immigration status adjustments, provided by U.S. Department of Justice-recognized legal staff.
• Career Preparation Job search assistance, mock job fairs, networking practice, and employer partner connections helping immigrants prepare for and obtain employment.
• Hybrid Newcomer Program Combined in-person and online English language instruction program for newcomers, supported by English for New Bostonians and MA Office for Refugees and Immigrants.
• Nurse Aide Training Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training program in partnership with Smith Vocational School to help immigrants enter healthcare careers.
• Transitions to College Program Educational support partnership with Greenfield Community College helping students learn about college options and navigate higher education pathways.
• Student & Alumni Business Directory Public directory connecting CNA alumni who have started businesses with the broader community.

Quantifiable outcome

• 49 new citizens from 25 countries naturalized at single ceremony
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Western New England University Law SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 April 2025Western New England University Law School students from Immigration Law Association and Global Justice Center volunteered to help CNA clients complete green card applications at hosted clinic.
• GreenLeaf FoodscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 September 2024Employer partner recognized at 2024 Annual Meeting. Plant Manager Miguel Encarnacion praised immigrant workforce reliability and contributions. Company is fully staffed with immigrant workers.
• Baystate HealthcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 September 2024Employer partner recognized at 2024 Annual Meeting. Allison LeDuc shared similar sentiments about immigrant workforce contributions.
• River Valley Co-opcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 September 2024Community-owned food cooperative is key employer partner. Nicole Cowlin spoke at 2024 Annual Meeting. Multiple alumni employed at co-op. Sponsor of Change for Change program.
• MIRA CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 July 2024Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition partnered with CNA to run Employment Authorization Document clinic for Greenfield newcomers. MIRA Coalition attorneys and volunteers provided legal support.
• Forbes LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing hosting space for Northampton classes and end-of-year celebrations.
• Springfield Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner hosting Springfield program site and Hampden County class visits.
• Holyoke Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partner hosting 'College for a Day' events. CNA students visit campus to learn about higher education opportunities. Former students enroll at HCC.
• Greenfield Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGCC Transitions to College Program representative Kate Walker shares college information with CNA Greenfield class students.
• Northampton Open MediaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedia partner provides livestream coverage of events including Civics Bee and annual meetings.
• Shea Theater Arts CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEvent venue partner in Turners Falls hosting Immigrant Voices annual arts celebration performances.
• YES ComputersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOwner Mark Wineburg provides iPads at deeply discounted prices for CNA student use.
• Smith Vocational SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner hosting nurse aide training classroom component. Students complete CNA and Smith Vocational training for certification.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• International Institute of New England: Boston-based nonprofit offering ESOL, immigration legal services, refugee resettlement, and workforce programs. Most directly comparable to CNA given its similar integrated service stack for immigrants and refugees in New England.
• Ascentria Care Alliance: Worcester-headquartered nonprofit providing refugee resettlement, ESOL, immigration legal aid, and unaccompanied minor services across Massachusetts. Closely comparable to CNA in geography-adjacent footprint and service mix.
• Rian Immigrant Center: Boston-based nonprofit offering immigration legal services, ESOL, and refugee case management. Comparable because of its DOJ-recognized legal services combined with English instruction for immigrants.
• Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) Boston: Provides ESOL, workforce training, and career placement for immigrants and refugees in Greater Boston. Comparable on the ESOL-plus-employment-outcomes model that CNA also emphasizes.
• The Literacy Project: Western Massachusetts adult literacy provider offering ESOL, GED, and family literacy. CNA alumni are documented continuing education there, making it a sibling provider in the same region.
• Catholic Charities of Springfield: Western Massachusetts faith-based nonprofit offering refugee resettlement, immigration legal services, and ESOL. Comparable because it operates in the same regional market with overlapping service lines.
• Literacy Volunteers of Massachusetts: Massachusetts volunteer-based adult literacy and ESOL provider. Comparable as a community-based adult ESOL provider serving similar learner populations.

Others

• MIRA Coalition: Statewide Massachusetts immigrant and refugee advocacy coalition that directly funds and partners with CNA. A network partner rather than direct competitor, but relevant ecosystem context.

Broad incumbents

• International Rescue Committee: National refugee resettlement and ESOL provider with Massachusetts operations. Comparable in mission and refugee services but operates at much larger scale across multiple states.
• US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants: National nonprofit delivering refugee resettlement, immigration legal services, and integration programming. Comparable service lines at broader geographic scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Center-For-New-Americans-125663334711
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/center-for-new-americans
• Instagraminstagram.com/cnaforimmigrants

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Center for New Americans