EAST MOLINE, Ill. — A group of Quad City immigrants is dedicated to making assimilation easier for other migrants, while also making the community a healthier, more vibrant place to live.
Founded three years ago, the Togolese Diaspora Group is made up of West African migrants living in the QCA.
"We aim to help each other and to help the community, to develop and also to help immigrants and refugees so they can integrate into their community," said Amavi Gamon, president and founder of TDG.
Gamon estimates there are more than 500 Togolese people living in the Quad Cities.
The group has a program dedicated to raising awareness and educating immigrants and refugees on aspects of living in America that they might not otherwise be used to. It's held in English, French, Spanish and Ewe.
"For example, some immigrants think credit cards are free money. Some of them, they don't have a family doctor. They are going to work and they have health insurance, but we found out many of them don't have a family doctor," Gamon said. "So we need information, so we can better integrate into this community, so we can succeed in this community. So we can live well in this community."
The group is always looking for volunteers and professionals, such as nurses and lawyers, to help out with its programming and events.
One of those events was a community clean up, which the group held over Memorial Day weekend. 43 people, from TDG, the local Muslim community and several local churches came together to pick trash up from East Moline's stretch of Avenue of the Cities.
TDG hopes to make the street cleanings a regular occurrence and is looking for more volunteers.
To get in touch with TDG, or to donate your time, you are encouraged to email Gamon at vdagnon59@gmail.com or call her at 309-206-0687.
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