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| Refugee Transitions Volunteer Newsletter |
Dec 2009/Jan 2010
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Refugee Transitions
Some of RT's amazing Team Leaders at our SF World of Difference Luncheon, 2009!
A Year in Review
We made it to 2010! Thanks in large part to the hard work of volunteers like you, here is a list of some major accomplishments of 2009:
- Hired our first AMAZING Americorps VISTA member, Julia Otis, who has helped build our capacity beyond belief!
- Are moments away from a full transition to our new salesforce database (thanks to Julia!) that will help us better support and track progress of students and volunteers
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Help your students with their
2010 Census Form!
As many of you know, 2010 is the year of the US Census! In March, everyone living in the U.S. will be asked to fill out a survey on their family demographics. This helps our country better understand and provide services to our population.
Filling out the census is of particular importance for--and is often overlooked by-- refugee families. By completing the census form, they are reporting themselves as members of a growing U.S. community. This helps our growing newcomer groups better access funding and services to support their transitions.
Stay tuned for more information from RT on how to help with the Census form. The form asks 10 questions, and should only take 10 minutes. You can preview the census form here.
Jobs with the US Census!
The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting temporary, part-time census
takers for the 2010 Census
These short-term jobs offer good pay,
flexible hours, paid training, and reimbursement for authorized
work-related expenses, such as mileage incurred while conducting census
work. Best of all, census takers work right in their own communities.
Census taker jobs are excellent for people who want to work
part-time, those who are between jobs, or just about anyone who wants
to earn extra money while performing an important service for their
community.
Help your student apply today HERE!
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Student Story:
This summer, RT student Katee Za
earned a scholarship to Girl Ventures'
Project Courage camp
Thanks to Katee's tutor, Danielle Forrestier ("Auntie Danielle"), for sharing Katee's inspirational speech with us!
Good morning everyone,
I am appreciated you came, my name is Katee Za. I am 12 years old, and I
attending to KIPP BRIGDE CHARTER SCHOOL in Oakland, and I am in 7th
grade. I was born in Burma, but my family moved to camp when I was maybe 7 or 8.
I got here when I was 9 and ½ years old. I now live here (United States) for 2
years and 4 months or so. I have a question for everyone, DO YOU EVER FELT
NEGATIVE BUT THERE'S PEOPLE WHO ARE THERE TO SUPPORT YOU?
My aunt asked me if I
will like to go on project courage last year which is 2008. But I was not ready
to go because, I will get homesick easily and I thought I might ruin the others
girls ventures! But this summer I went to project courage and it's was so
awesome, learn to be outdoors, being with others girls you never met
before!
And this project
courage was the first time for me, and I was glad I was there with the girls
that are so supportive, love, and care for the others around them. They ALWAYS
there for me when I felt negative, like HOMESICK, SADNESS, and my anger. They
are the friends I need in my life to TRUST!
On the second to last
day of project courage, we were hiking to our campsite. It's was challenging to
me, we have to hike for 8 miles to get to our new campsite, but I was crying
because I have a heavy backpack that is pushing my braveness and happiness. But
there are many girls who were there to support me and we just knew each for week
or so! I felt that they are the people that I could trust, listen, talk to, and
care by. When I was school my friends never treat me like I am their friends,
they just said see you at class. And I felt so different they way my friends and
my new friends treat me. And I appreciated them.
That's my experience on
project courage this past summer this year! And I have another question for you,
what is your hope for the world? I would like to hope for the whole world to
fill with love, happiness, and full of lots of Fun! Last thing I will like to
say to GIRLVENTURE, MY PARENT, and to my aunt AUNTIE DANIELLE! I will like to
thanks to GIRLVENTURE a lot to let me be in this wonderful course with the other
girls, I will like to thanks my aunt, Auntie Danielle to have a great summer
with GIRLVENTURE, and like to thanks my parent to gave me permission to go!
THANK YOU!
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IMPORTANT NEWS on the VOLUNTEER LOG
As we transition into our new Salesforce Database, we are beginning a new (and VERY improved!) online log system for volunteers. While logs continue to be more important than ever, we ask that you hold off on submitting your logs for this month until you receive an update from us in the next few weeks about the new system. The new system is streamlined, easy to use, and automatically tallies your time. Exciting stuff!
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Please Note that
Elsa's Phone Number
has Changed!
It is now 408-838-1331
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Upcoming RT Training:
Succeeding in US Schools
As
the new semester begins, it is our role as tutors to help youth and
families continue the second half of the school year with a positive
start! At this training, we will cover the basics of: on-site after
school tutoring, youth development principles, teaching study skills,
catering to multiple learning styles, and how to work with youth and
parents to better navigate the US school system and how to collaborate with schools and teachers so that youth get the most out of their education in their new homes.
Oakland:
Thursday, January 21st
6:00-8:00
1212 Broadway St, 6th Floor
South Bay:
Monday, February 8th
6:00-8:00
728 W. Fremont Ave, Sunnyvale
RSVP: lauren@reftrans.org
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Oakland Resource Highlight
The English Center
The mission of the
English Center is to realize the participation of international women
and men in the social, political and economic opportunities of the 21st
century world. Through English language, technology and career
readiness training, we will foster cross-cultural communication and
career advancement, enabling non-native speakers of English to achieve
their fullest potential.
Starting this semester, the English Center will be offering a "Welcome Back" program for immigrant adults who worked in the medical field in their home country.
Contact The English Center for more information!
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Flu Season Is Upon Us
See the links, below, for information on vaccination clinics and eligibility.
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JOBS Now in SF!
Upwardly Global has partnered with the City of San Francisco to offer a new program to help job seekers find jobs in their field quickly. Does your student qualify for this program?The criteria for the program are:
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Must be an SF Resident
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Must have US work authorization
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Must have a child under 18 living in the US.
Job seekers accepted into the program will have 100% of their wages paid by the City of San Francisco for the next year, which makes them very attractive to employers. Upwardly Global is seeing job seekers find a job in their field within a couple of weeks after starting the program.
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From SFGate:
Chinatown family life:
What tourists don't see
"...Three generations of Mos live in SROs within a block of each other
in San Francisco, sharing cramped units that some say are barely
suitable for individuals, let alone families. But like many immigrants
in Chinatown, the Mos keep soldiering on - even when the situation
seems backbreaking.
"Chinese newcomers have endured a range of hardships, racial and
economic, since first arriving in San Francisco about 1850, but their
fortitude has helped subsequent generations improve their lot in life.
It's a day-to-day resilience rarely seen by outsiders, most of whom
view Chinatown as a tourist destination or an occasional place to eat
out or shop..."
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Become Friends with RT on Facebook!
Join Refugee Transitions' online facebook community. Become our friend and get access to RT news, photos, YouTube videos, and more! | |
Scholarship Opportunities for Refugees
 IRC San Francisco
Sarlo Fellowship
This financial aid program is designed to help refugees, asylees,
victims of human trafficking, and Iraqi & Afghan recipients of
Special Immigrant Visas meet the cost of academic achievement so that
they can complete their studies, achieve their academic goals and
contribute to the community at large. $1,000 to $5,000 scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement
and financial need.
Application Deadline:
Friday, May 7, 2010.
 Western Union Family Scholarship Program
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Oakland North Article:
"New refugees from rural Burma, grappling with modern California, find an ally in Oakland."
Read Article Here.
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Check out the
Guide for Immigrant Seniors
from the City of Fremont's Human Services Division
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San Francisco International High School is looking for Classroom assistants.
Classroom assistants will support teachers in helping students with the day's curriculum.
Interested? Email lauren@reftrans.org
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Useful Resources for Your Work as an RT Tutor-ONLINE!
RT Volunteer Erinn Struss has compiled a list of helpful online resources for RT tutors.
Links include:
- General ESL Resources, Worksheets & Games
- Lesson Ideas
- Podcasts/Multimedia
- News pages with Multimedia for ESL learners
- Websites with Student drills
- ESL Civics Resources
- Interview Guides
- Resource Guides
- Grammar Guides
Thank you, Erinn! |
Karen Language Materials--Online!
CLICK HERE to access Karen dictionaries & phrasebooks!
Burmese Dictionary--Online!
If you work with Burmese speaking students, check out this great online resource with Burmese fonts, Burmese phrases, and an online dictionary!
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Driving Test Resources: DMV Driving Test Videos!
Helping your adult student pass their driving test can be a big service to the entire family.
The CA DMV has great study resources on its website, and how has a youtube channel for videos of driving tests and tips!
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Please Complete the Oakland Unified School District's Online Survey
By filling out this survey, you will help the OUSD and RT collect valuable data on our programs and the clients we serve.
THANK YOU!
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Know someone who wants to Volunteer?
If you know someone who wants to volunteer with Refugee Transitions, we are always looking for more help in the East Bay, San Francisco and the South Bay!
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Thank you, again, for all that you do to serve the immigrant and refugee populations of the Bay Area. You are the heart and soul of what we do!
Sincerely,
Lauren, Laura, Tenley, ZarNi, Grace, Elsa, Nandi, Julia, Nakachi and Jeff
(The Refugee Transitions Team) | |
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