Co-op U - Our work with the Bhutanese

Cincinnati hosts a significant population of refugees from Nepal, Bhutanese women and men settled here after 17-20 years in temporary camps. In partnership with Catholic Charities of Southwest Ohio and RefugeeConnect, Co-op Cincy was awarded $300,000 to manage a three year program assisting the Bhutanese, through the USDA Refugee Agricultural Partnership Program. In January, a group of 15 began the Co-op U training program. They are learning how to organize and manage a worker-owned business, while developing their skills for navigating US commercial operations. The group is assessing two potential businesses, co-ops growing vegetables to supply the numerous Bhutanese grocery stores in Cincinnati, and event management for the large social gatherings in their tradition it is not uncommon for a Bhutanese wedding to include 1000 guests!