Press Kit
KCA is pleased to work with media outlets regarding stories related to refugees from Burma living in the greater Akron area. For any media requests, please use the following information and guidelines below.
Media Contact
Please direct all media question to Ajino Saw or Carolyn Behrman.
Organization Overview
The Karen Community of Akron was founded in 2009 to help refugees and immigrants from Burma obtain self-sufficiency. Our goal is to simplify the integration of newcomers into American society by working as a community. We build strong relationships with employers, organizations, and local institutions to provide maximum benefit for Akron's Karen population.
Mission Statement
The mission statement of Karen Community of Akron, Inc. is to help in developing the community to build and sustain a high quality of life and to achieve self-sufficiency for all refugees from Burma in the United States.
FAQs
How many Karen live in the Akron, OH area?
According to the Worldwide Refugee Admissions Processing System (WRAPS) and the US Department of State, 1,240 refugees from Burma have settled in Akron and Cuyahoga Falls since 2003. Consisting mostly of people of the Karen, Mon, and Chin ethnic groups, northeast Ohio is home to the state's largest population of Burmese refugees with roughly 1,723 resettlements processed in Cuyahoga and Summit counties since 2003. Current numbers are more difficult to estimate as populations fluctuate with births, deaths, and secondary resettlements that are not disclosed to KCA and WRAPS. Additionally, resettlement catalyzes the breakdown of specific ethnic groups as individuals are mixed with others making ethnic divisions ambiguous and difficult to quantify. For more information, please visit wrapsnet.org.
Who does KCA serve?
KCA provides services and community support to all refugees from Burma in the greater Akronnarea. Additionally, we work with various community organizations to provide a strong network for all incoming refugees. By connecting Akron's Karen community, KCA strengthens the city of Akron by bolstering an integral part of our diverse community.