Life is about training.  We’re trained to use the potty.  We’re trained to tie our shoes. We’re trained to drive a car.  My three year old loves to learn new things, to be trained, and once he learns, he NEVER wants to be helped again.  It’s freeing to use that new found independence.  It’s freeing to do things by himself.  And now that he’s learned, it’s horribly frustrating when he can’t do those things by himself.

Can you imagine what life would be like if nearly everything you had once learned, at home, had to be relearned?  If your new home was a place where the language was new, the systems were new, the food was new…..everything has to be relearned.

Refugees come to the US to escape danger or persecution.  They come for a better life. And when they come, everything has to be relearned.  Regardless of what job they may have held at home or in the refugee camp, they are forced to find quick employment that can sustain their families.  But that task is more than daunting in this economy.

Which is why we exist…..

Common Ground is a job-training and development program for the refugee community here in Boise, Idaho. We work closely in partnership with the local refugee agencies along with other key community strategic partners.  The challenge is far too great to tackle alone–collaboration is critical.

Common Ground is a program of the Momentum Group. We ‘help you help people.’

We create economic independence for those who have the least within the international community.

Think big, start small, scale fast. Explore our site, get to know us.  Bear with us…..we’re just getting this site up and running.  We’ll be adding content all the time, so come back and see us frequently.  We’re excited to be a part of this community, and we’re excited for you to join us. Together we can better the Boise community–help make it ‘the most livable city in the country.’

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