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Cliff Hocker:
Last October, Capital One donated $8,000 to RIS to support basic refugee resettlement needs. Why did Capital One choose to support RIS in its work?
Shawn Nghiem:
Capital One's Asian Network is one of five Associate Networks the company developed with the common goals of recruiting, retaining, and developing associates while supporting community efforts. Last year, the Capital One Asian Network was looking to help support a community organization that shares our values, and RIS was a natural fit. Bringing refugees into America and helping them get settled into a new, better way of life is something that resonates with many members of our Asian Network, and we are proud to help support these efforts.
Cliff Hocker:
You are a member of the RIS Community Board, and your father, Jerry Nghiem, was one of its founding members. Over the many years you have had a chance to observe RIS, how would you characterize RIS' contribution to life in the Greater Richmond area?
Shawn Nghiem:
I have seen RIS evolve over the years with new faces and a new building, but the principles of RIS have stayed intact. Their mission today is the same as it was 25 years ago, to help refugees settle in America so they can have a brighter future.
Cliff Hocker:
Please briefly outline the developing partnership between RIS and the Capital One Asian Network. What has been the role of Jimmy Lee, a Capital One managing vice president and the executive sponsor of the Asian Network; and Raj Rao, a vice president at Capital One?
Shawn Nghiem:
The relationship between Capital One and RIS began in 2006 when we provided a $5,000 grant to RIS for the English as a Second Language Program for Refugees and Immigrants. Several Capital One associates have also volunteered as tutors, teaching English as a second language at these classes. In 2008, the Richmond, Virginia, Chapter of the Asian Network again chose to continue to support the group's efforts with another financial contribution to extend the great efforts our grant was enabling. We hope to build on the outreach by providing additional volunteer support for RIS.
Jimmy Lee, the executive sponsor of Capital One's Asian Network, and Raj Rao, the Richmond Chapter lead are both strong supporters of the partnership with RIS.
Cliff Hocker:
RIS' Carol McElhinney and Abby Sine visited Capital One on May 20 to review volunteer opportunities. Please summarize what you think will develop over the next year in terms of Capital One's involvement with RIS.
Shawn Nghiem:
Their presentation was fantastic and full of many volunteer opportunities. Several members of the network were very engaged by the presentation and have already reached out to RIS directly to see how they and their teams can support RIS through volunteerism.
Shawn Nghiem and Cliff Hocker are both members of the Community Board of the Richmond office of Refugee and Immigration Services
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