2026 New Hope Award
The 2026 recipients of the award were two outstanding members of our community, Urmila Chhetri and Bernard Mampouya. The award presentation ceremony took place during the Karibu Cultural Celebration at Burlington City Arts on November 6.
About Urmila Chhetri
Urmila Chhetri, MPH, is a public health professional, youth coordinator, cultural advocate, Nepali interpreter, and community advocate dedicated to supporting refugee, immigrant, and New American communities in Vermont. Born and raised in a Bhutanese refugee camp in Nepal, she resettled in Vermont with her family in 2012. Adapting to a new country inspired her to help others navigate similar challenges and build a sense of belonging. She graduated from UVM in 2021 with a double major in Biology and Health and Society and earned her Master of Public Health in 2025. As Youth Coordinator at the Association of Africans Living in Vermont (AALV), she supports more than 120 refugee, immigrant, and New American youth through academic tutoring, mentorship, leadership development, and cultural enrichment programs. She works to create safe and inclusive spaces where Black and Brown youth feel supported, valued, and empowered to achieve their goals.
She serves on the Community Engagement Advisory Committee (CEAC) with the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC), where she advocates for inclusive community engagement and helps elevate the perspectives of refugee and immigrant communities in discussions about housing, transportation, and regional development. As a cultural advocate and Nepali interpreter, she helps individuals and families navigate healthcare, education, housing, mental health resources, and other essential services.
Beyond her professional work, she is passionate about preserving Bhutanese-Nepali culture through traditional dance instruction, mentorship, and community performances. She helps younger generations connect with their heritage while building confidence and pride. Drawing from her own experiences as a former refugee, she is committed to creating a more welcoming and equitable Vermont where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
About Bernard Mampouya
Bernard Mampouya is from the Republic of Congo, also known as Congo Brazzaville. He is married to his wife, Maggie, of 42 years and together, they have four children. He speaks five languages, and worked for 30+ years as a high school French teacher.
In addition to teaching, he also served as Head of Regulations and Statistics for the Department at the General Directorate of Penitentiary Administration in Congo Brazzaville.
In 2018, Bernard and his wife relocated to Brussels, Belgium, where he lived for five years. In 2023, he moved to Burlington Vermont, where he continues to reside.
When Bernard arrived in Vermont, he lived at the COTS Church Street shelter for over a year. In 2024, he moved to ANEW Place. And thanks to the help of many gracious people at ANEW Place, COTS, and CHT, he finally moved into his own apartment in August of 2025.
Bernard studies English multiple days a week at Mercy Connections - a place where he is grateful to have found connection and belonging - and he also works as a Teaching Assistant there.
In 2024, he was honored as a recipient of the National Adult Education Honor Society Award through Vermont Adult Learning.
He currently works as a Chef at the Marriott Hotel in Burlington. In his down time he loves to talk to his family every day, cook traditional Congolese fish dishes, dance, and laugh.