Baltimore Association of Nepalese in America outlines services and needs for county’s Nepali community
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Summary
A presenter from the Baltimore Association of Nepalese in America told the Baltimore County Human Relations Commission that the group operates a community center at 2905 Taylor Avenue, serves thousands through health, senior and youth programs and seeks stronger county partnerships for language access, small-business navigation and legal help.
At the Baltimore County Human Relations Commission’s March meeting, a representative of the Baltimore Association of Nepalese in America (BANA) described the nonprofit’s services, membership and ongoing needs for the county’s growing Nepali community.
The presenter told commissioners that BANA operates a community resource center at 2905 Taylor Avenue and has “more than 5,000” registered members and long-standing partnerships with local hospitals and service providers. The presenter described programs including senior engagement, youth literacy and Nepali-language classes and said the organization provided a major information and vaccination outreach during the COVID-19 response.
Why it matters: Commissioners said the county must better connect new residents and small-business owners to county permitting, workforce and social services. The presenter said social media and the group’s website are often the first contact points for new arrivals, but language barriers and long permitting or inspection processes deter entrepreneurs and can prompt residents to leave the state.
Commissioners asked how individuals and organizations can connect with BANA and how the county might help. The presenter recommended clearer pathways to county services, expanded translation and outreach, and faster, more navigable permitting guidance for small businesses. One commissioner summarized the concern this way: long approval and inspection timelines — sometimes months — make it difficult for new entrepreneurs to open and sustain businesses.
The presenter emphasized community-building activities such as annual cultural celebrations, sports tournaments and a continuing senior program as examples of work that increase participation and civic integration. Commissioners invited BANA to share contact information for upcoming county town halls and event partnerships, and staff said the commission will follow up to connect BANA to appropriate county points of contact.
The meeting record shows the commission encouraged BANA community members to consider service on the Human Relations Commission to ensure sustained representation.
The commission did not take formal regulatory action on the presentation; staff and commissioners agreed to follow up on outreach and appointment pathways after the meeting.
