2026 Karibu

In 2026, Karibu took place in a special format: as a Cultural Celebration Book, community gathering, and New Hope Award celebration. This one-year shift allowed us to honor past participants and preserve their stories. More than 120 community members joined us on November 6 from 4-6PM for our Karibu Cultural Celebration Book Launch & New Hope Award Presentation Ceremony at the BCA Community Room, located at 405 Pine St. in Burlington. At the event, past makers, models, New Hope Award winners, and friends of the event received complimentary copies of our commemorative book, while other guests were able to receive copies with donations of $100 or more to the CVOEO Asylum Seekers Assistance Program. The program provides asylees with emergency funds to purchase essential items, including personal hygiene supplies, diapers, food, and medicine.

Explore the book here: Karibu Cultural Celebration Through the Years (PDF) 

This event was made possible through the generosity of the Community Foundation, whose Arts & Social Cohesion grant enabled us to create a high-quality commemorative book featuring professional photography and interviews with New American makers, models, and past New Hope Award recipients. We are also grateful to UVM Medical Center for sponsoring the event venue and helping bring the community together to celebrate this milestone.

The evening also featured the Crystal Family New Hope Award Presentation Ceremony, honoring the 2026 winners, Urmila Chhetri and Bernard Mampouya. Through the generous support of the Crystal Family, the New Hope Award was established in 2017 to recognize two New Americans for their contributions, accomplishments, and potential within the community. Each recipient receives a $1,000 award.

Pictures of the evening will be shared below soon!