Welcome to the NEWcomer
Project Community Map!



The data used to create this map was gathered from January 2026-April 2026. This map shows the organizations and services around the North East Wisconsin Region which support immigrants and refugees as they resettle in the area.

Each sector shows what is available and reflects the perspectives of Newcomers as well as organizations.

A "Newcomer" is a person or family who has moved to the region or the United States in the past 5-10 years and is learning and adjusting to the main languages and cultures of our region.

To learn more about this project, please visit Hope & Help Together's project webpage .

Sectors

Basic_Needs Basic Needs Education Education Employment Employment Finance Finance Healthcare Healthcare Housing Housing Language_and_Literacy Language and Literacy Legal Legal Recreation Recreation Religion_and_Faith Religion and Faith Transportation Transportation

On this Page

Download Employment PDF

Newcomer Perspective
of the Employment Sector

We want not just jobs, but meaningful employment that offers fair pay, growth opportunities, and recognizes our skills and experience.

Map of Organizations
in the Employment Sector

Map of organizations

Employment Sector Analysis

29% of organizations that responded provide employment services.

Please note: Not all respondents answered every question. As a result, the number of responses varies by question.


Newcomer Employment Background

Are college-educated household members working in their field?

Yes
13
No
57
Some Yes, Some No
3

Do you know how to use international credentials in the regional job market?

Yes
14
No
46

Career Background

Business, Finance, Accounting, HR & Administration
16
Healthcare
10
Education, Training & Social Services
8
Engineering, Manufacturing & Skilled Trades
8
Law, Labor Rights & Public Safety
6
Arts, Design, Media & Culture
5
Hospitality, Tourism & Food Service
4
Other
3
Religion & Theology
3
Technology & Computing
3

Current Careers

Manufacturing, Factory & Industrial Work
8
General / Unspecified Work
7
Retail / Food Service / Hospitality
7
Construction / Skilled Labor
5
Education / Students / English Classes
5
Not Working / Unemployed / Unsure / Retired
5
Home Care / Caregiving
4
Homemaker / Stay-at-Home Caregiver
4
Cleaning / Commercial Cleaning
3
Multiple Jobs in Household
2
Positive Employment Experiences
2
Case Management / Professional Services
1
Healthcare / Emergency Services
1
Beauty Services
1
Self-Employment / Business Ownership
1
Social / Communication Difficulties
1

Future Career Goals

Education / Language Learning / Credential Completion
7
Career Advancement / Field-Aligned Job
6
General / Unspecified Employment
6
Healthcare Careers
5
Unsure / Undecided
5
Entrepreneurship / Business Ownership
2
Family Stability & Well-Being
2
Housing / Financial Stability
2
Cleaning Business
1
Past Work Experience
1
Retirement
1
Return to Home Country
1
Teaching
1
Travel / Personal Goals
1
International Credential Recognition
1

Workforce Participation

Employment responses reflected both successful workforce participation and barriers to obtaining quality employment.

About 26% of responses (19 of 73) described positive employment experiences, including stable jobs, fair pay, full-time work, and employment aligned with skills or experience.


Job Seeking and Career Advancement

18% of responses (13 of 73) came from individuals who were unemployed or actively seeking work.

Another 16% (12 of 73) focused on the need for better-paying jobs, career advancement opportunities, or employment in a respondent’s trained profession.

Additionally, 10% of responses (7 of 73) called for more job opportunities and easier pathways into employment.


Employment Barriers and Supports

Respondents identified barriers related to language (7%, 5 of 73) and documentation or Social Security requirements (5%, 4 of 73), which can limit access to employment.

Several respondents expressed a need for employment resources, licensing support, flexible schedules, childcare, and improved workplace conditions.


Employment Services requested, offered, or planned

0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
Career-Related Education & Training
23%
6%
19%
Employment Placement
16%
3%
14%
Farming Opportunities
0%
12%
Job Skills Training
13%
3%
13%
Workplace Classes
0%
7%
Percent of organizations offering the service
Percent of organizations planning to offer the service
Percent of Newcomer respondents who requested the service

Newcomer Journey
for the Employment Sector

Newcomers are all at different stages in this timeline depending on when they arrived in the US.

The organizations included in survey data may focus on one, more or all areas of the acculturation curve in the effort to help Newcomers thrive. Below the chart you will see the acculturation curve focus point(s) of the organizations included.

The Acculturation Curve adjusting to a new life

Euphoria - first couple weeks or month after resettlement

Culture shock - begins about 6 weeks after resettlement

Acculturation - usually takes 2-10 years depending on the age and life events of an individual

Stable stage - state of arrival

Newcomer Journey Curve

Euphoria

  • Appleton Area School District
  • Appleton Public Library
  • Forward Service Corporation
  • Fox Valley Literacy

Culture Shock

  • Appleton Area School District
  • Appleton Public Library
  • Forward Service Corporation
  • Fox Valley Literacy
  • VPI, Inc.

Acculturation

  • Appleton Area School District
  • Appleton Public Library
  • Forward Service Corporation
  • Fox Valley Church, Kimberly, WI
  • Fox Valley Literacy
  • VPI, Inc.

Stable State

  • Appleton Area School District
  • Appleton Public Library
  • Forward Service Corporation
  • Fox Valley Literacy
  • VPI, Inc.