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WHO WE ARE

The Bosnian American Association of New York was established in 1998 in order to provide support network for peoples of a Bosnian ethnic background and various religious traditions, who have found new home in the Tri-State area (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut) either by their own free will or by the set of unfortunate circumstances.
However, contrary to the wide spread belief, Bosnian immigration to US in general and New York in particular is not of a recent date – 1990-ies – but much older, dating from 1880-ies when first Bosnians passed by the Statue of Liberty and through Ellis Island.

Bosnian Americans were and still are especially attracted to Bosnian American Association because of its multicultural nature, mutual religious respect of our members for traditions and beliefs of all, freedom of speech, democratic customs of Bosnian heritage, dedication to preservation of Bosnian American ethnic culture and customs within the broader and somewhat different American community.   Bosnian American Association provided to Bosnian immigration in US, when many of them were separated from immediate family members, and left bereft of contact, much-needed community support at the time. Although challeneged by social, cultural and economic difficulties, these Bosnian Americans have established respectable life in the cities of American North East.

This was said about BAA: “In 1997, as a response to the growing service needs of Bosnian refugees, a small group of volunteers, united with the common goal of connecting Bosnian refugees to the social and community service programs available in New York. This group of volunteers formed the Bosnian American Association of New York City (BAA) in 1998.
BAA existed solely on membership dues from its 300 Bosnian members during its first three years. To house the organization, a basement was initially rented and later rebuilt in Astoria, Queens - an ideal location for the large Bosnian population that resided in the neighborhood.
In 2003, BAA received Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) funding to supplement membership dues. The organization currently has close to 1,000 members, although the level of activity of each member varies widely.
When the organization was first established, program services were advertised solely via word-of-mouth between BAA members and others in the community. Outreach was eventually expanded through broadcast advertisements on local Bosnian radio and television programs. This medium was very effective for client outreach, since a majority of Bosnian refugees tune in to a weekly Bosnian-language radio news and feature program.
BAA's current challenges revolve around expanded programming and financial support. New and diversified sources of funding are needed to continue its programs. BAA is also in the midst of devising new approaches to involve young people from the community.
The need to increase community support for BAA's programs and services remains an ongoing challenge for the organization, and devising creative ways to further involve community members is a constant and challenging process.”

Just as it was the case in 1998. presently all the activities of BAU / BAA are run by the volunteers – all dedicated and determined professionals in their own right and respective fields.

Today, BAA is a dynamic, growing and ever-rejuvenating organization. We are happy that our distinguished activists and volunteers, despite odds and financial constraints, have managed to realize many mutually supportive community programs we all can be proud of.

THE FUTURE
The Bosnian refugee community in New York City is continually evolving. Many community members had arrived with or gained college degrees and obtained professional success, and this opened doors for the larger Bosnian community to prosper. As more Bosnians, Bosnian Americans and other U.S. citizens join, BAA has realized the need to adjust and expand its existing program scope. BAA is also exploring how to extend services to non-Bosnian refugee populations. By reaching out to diverse refugee populations BAA would expand its reach, and hopefully, its sources of funding.
Whatever the future holds for the Bosnian American Association, there is no doubt about the passion its staff members have for the work they do.”

THANK YOU

For making the connection!