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ALB Connection

News, stories, and a directory spotlighting Albanian‑owned businesses, professionals, and organizations.

10/08/2026

Meet Shkëlqim Kelmendi (), the founder and CEO of , a technology-led nonprofit that connects vacant apartments with people who need housing.

Born in Peja, Shkëlqim fled Kosova with his family in April 1999, received refugee status in Macedonia, and resettled in Dallas. After studying economics and working at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, he moved to Seattle, where his work with the Seattle Housing Authority exposed him to families being turned away because of credit scores, criminal history, or past evictions.

That experience became the foundation for Housing Connector, which has since housed more than 15,000 people and helped another 20,000 maintain their housing across seven metropolitan markets.

His story is one of resilience, purpose, community, Besa, and of building a solution to a problem he saw firsthand.

Read the full feature at the link in our bio.

10/07/2026

Today's thoughts.

, .swiss

10/06/2026

YORK Mechanical Corp, your trusted partner for all your HVAC needs. With over 29 years of experience, we specialize in providing reliable and high-end solutions for your HVAC projects. At YORK Mechanical Corp, we have a little secret that sets us apart – we take pride in doing it all ourselves. By fabricating everything in-house with state-of-the-art equipment and experienced workmen, we ensure timely results at a lower cost. From sheet metal fabrication to pipe fabrication, HVAC maintenance, and new HVAC construction, we have the expertise and resources to deliver excellence. Choose YORK Mechanical Corp for superior craftsmanship, precision, and efficiency. Contact us today to discuss your requirements and discover why we are the leading choice in the industry. Let us exceed your expectations and transform your HVAC projects into reality.

10/05/2026

Rito Restaurant is known for its Mediterranean, Italian, and modern-traditional cuisine. Located in the heart of Tirana, with a rich w**e cellar, we welcome you to our space. Whether you’re looking for a fine dining experience, celebrating a birthday, enjoying a family dinner, or simply looking to savor something delicious while listening to great music, we look forward to welcoming you.

10/02/2026

Today's thoughts.

10/01/2026

Meet , Kosovo-born facilitator, speaker, professor, and co-founder of Changemaker Allies. From learning to write in cold basement classrooms in Prishtina to becoming a Global Futurist in Residence at Arizona State University, Mentor’s journey has always been rooted in one question: how do we help people create change others can join?

At nine, he became a refugee when his family was forced from their home. Years later, after thirteen years in the United States, he made the decision to return to Kosovo — not simply to give back, but to build global work from home. Today, he works with organizations including the UN, USAID, Meta, Stanford, and Ashoka, while developing new approaches to leadership, facilitation, and changemaking.

His story is one of resilience, identity, and a belief that meaningful change happens when people see themselves as capable of creating it.

Read the full feature at the link in our bio.

09/30/2026

For generations, Albanian women knew that caring for a new mother was just as important as caring for her baby.

In her latest editorial for ALB Connection, Elizabeth Nikac (), a nurse and Albanian mother, reflects on the traditions that protected new mothers, warm food, rest, family support, and the first forty days at home.

As families moved and circumstances changed, some of that protection became harder to preserve. Elizabeth explores how we can honor those traditions while creating space for rest, boundaries, and a new family to find its rhythm.

Because caring for a new mother is not a rejection of tradition. It is one of the oldest parts of it.

Read the full piece at the link in bio.

09/28/2026

Luxour Beauty Lounge is a boutique aesthetics studio located on Long Island, New York, specializing in advanced laser hair removal, skin rejuvenation, and customized facial treatments.

Dedicated to enhancing natural beauty, Luxour Beauty Lounge combines advanced aesthetic technology with personalized care to deliver exceptional treatments in an intimate, luxurious setting. Every service is thoughtfully tailored to each client’s unique needs, with an emphasis on quality, comfort, and lasting results.

At Luxour Beauty Lounge, we believe self-care should feel like a luxury, and confidence should be effortless. Our mission is to provide an elevated beauty experience where every client feels pampered, empowered, and radiant.

09/25/2026

Today's thoughts.

09/24/2026

She had been taught to push through. To keep going. Not to complain. Not to be weak.

After a motor vehicle accident in 2001 and the years of depression that followed, Loreta Doga () began questioning the definition of strength she had carried her whole life. That questioning became the foundation for UMATTERCARE (), a psychotherapy and mental health practice in Etobicoke, Ontario, built around one simple belief: you do not have to wait until things become unbearable to deserve care.

As a Registered Nurse and Psychotherapist, Loreta works with people facing addiction, trauma, relationships, anxiety, depression, and the struggles that often go unspoken. Her message to the Albanian community and beyond is one she learned the hard way.

You can be strong and still need help.

Read the full feature at the link in our bio.

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