Thomas Kate

My name is Khoon Thomas Kate. I am from Burma (Myanmar) and I am a Senior Program Coordinator at Re:Source Cleveland.

I came to America in October 2010, lived in the Bronx, New York City for 3 months,  then moved to live in Cleveland, Ohio in February 2011. 

I came to America because I escaped from the persecution of Burmese military, who  burned down all the buildings in my village and forced me (and all other  villagers) to relocate to their concentration camp due to civil war between majority  Burmese and Ethnic minorities. I lived in a refugee camp on the Thai-Burma border  about 12 years before I resettled to the United States of America. 

The great things about my new home are security (comparing to my native country, Burma), my  children’s education and future, and the opportunity to thrive having basic life needs met. 

I love that Cleveland is surrounded by nature, welcoming people, job opportunities and ethnic diversity.