"Don't Forget Me" |
"Don't
forget me." Those were the words printed on the back of a photograph handed to Company
E Ranger Chuck Vaughn, by Trinh Nguyen, as Chuck left the war in Vietnam behind him and headed back to the United States. He
never did forget his friend and comrade through the years. Their friendship and camaraderie helped them
survive the horrors of war. Years later, Nationalities
Service Center
played a pivotal role in reuniting these friends, by helping to bring Trinh and
his family to the United
States as refugees.
Nguyen, a
sergeant in the South Vietnamese army, served as an interpreter for the US
Army. He formed a close bond with
Vaughn, saying that "we were as close as brothers." When it was time for the company to return
home, Chuck worried about the consequences for his Vietnamese friend, fearing
that his work with the US Army would place him in great danger. In fact, Trinh was captured, tortured, and sent
to a re-education camp, where he lived under atrocious living conditions and
was forced to work while shackled by the ankles to over one hundred men at a
time. Trinh spent nearly a year and a half at this camp, and then spent 14
years in a work camp in a rural area in Vietnam. After release, he still feared persecution and
could not work at jobs that required a detailed description of his past. It was difficult living a life of secrecy,
always fearing that his past would be discovered. There was very little Trinh
could do for work.
Eventually,
Trinh was able to access a computer and found the Company E website. He emailed
Chuck, saying he was, in fact, alive! Their relationship picked up again,
through email at first, and then in August 2007 Chuck and his fellow Rangers
worked together to bring Trinh and his wife to the United States for a reunion of
their company. When Trinh returned to Vietnam
from their visit Chuck enlisted the help of Nationalities Service
Center. NSC helped obtain
refugee status for Trinh, his wife and three children, through a program that
provided refugee status in the US
for Vietnamese re-education camp survivors.
This June, Trinh
and his family arrived at Philadelphia International airport to a tearful welcome
by Chuck and his family, NSC Case Manager Sarah Robyn,
and NSC's Development Director Kathrin Ivanovic.
Chuck explained at the airport that it is the Rangers' motto to "never leave a
fallen Ranger behind." He added, "We
were proud to finally get the last man out."
Helping
Trinh and his family come to the US was only the beginning of the
services NSC provided. NSC helps
refugees to integrate into American society and become self reliant community
members. In addition to the health screenings and vaccinations NSC helps
arrange for all of our refugee clients, we are connecting him (through our partnership
with Jefferson University Hospital)
to expert medical treatment for the spinal cord and other physical injuries Trinh
suffered as a result of being tortured.
Trinh is
also benefiting from NSC's new Survivors of Torture program, which seeks to provide
survivors of torture and their families access to comprehensive and culturally
competent medical, mental health, legal, educational and social assistance to facilitate
their recovery from trauma and successful integration into their new
surroundings. NSC also offers families
like the Nguyens ESL classes and employment placement, both vital aspects of
success for newly arrived refugees. Both of Trinh's sons have found employment
with NSC's help, and his daughter hopes to enroll in college courses in the
near future. NSC is helping to prepare
her, through ESL classes and tutoring, to pass the TOEFL English Proficiency
Test and to improve her vocabulary and writing skills. NSC has also helped
Trinh obtain a driver's license, an essential step in helping him find
employment and move his family towards self sufficiency.
When asked
of his new life here in the US,
Trinh said he just wants to be a good citizen. Before coming to the US he made the decision to completely leave Vietnam, his
way of thinking and his way of living behind. He began thinking of all the
things he would need to change mentally to fully fit into American society. It
is his nature to give the most to the country he hoped to call home. He said, "I am American. All I can hope for
Vietnam
is peace. I will visit there, but I am an American and I will die in the US." Chuck and Trinh's friendship, which continues
today in Philadelphia,
is different now. They meet from time to
time, and the only question of survival is helping Trinh and his family adjust
to their new home.
If you
would like to help refugee families like the Nguyens, please consider donating
household goods to NSC's Refugee Resettlement Program. Please contact Zakariya Ismael
at 215.893.8400 x 1556 or [email protected] for more information.
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2009 Global Tastes
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Buy Tickets Here
Celebrating Philadelphia's Diverse Communities Through Food
Join us as we honor Mayor Michael A Nutter with NSC's 1st Beacon of Justice Award
Entertainment by: Peter Tang's Chinese Ensemble
Wednesday, September 30, 2009 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Penn Museum (University City)
Sponsorship Information
Entertainment Underwriting Opportunity
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Participating Restaurants include:
Apamate
Chima Brazilian Steakhouse
Cuba!
Restaurant
Dove Chocolate Discoveries
Gojjo Ethiopian Restaurant
Haitian Corner
Jamaican Jerk Hut
Pizza Rustica
Tequilas
The Rum Bar
Xochitl
Zesty's Greek Restaurant
..and many more!
Event Platinum Sponsors
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PA Secretary of Aging Visits NSC's Senior
Center Open House |
NSC's Senior
Center hosted an open
House on June 1, 2009 to welcome new potential clients from the
neighborhood. Elders decorated the
Center and prepared Vietnamese, Cambodian and Chinese spring rolls and
dumplings for all to enjoy. John Chen,
owner of Dao Acupuncture Clinic, led a Tai Chi class.
NSC was honored to have Pennsylvania's Secretary of Aging, Michael
Hall, in attendance at the event. The
Open House served as an opportunity for him to learn more about the growing
diversity in elder services for Philadelphia's
elderly and for NSC to stress the importance of expanding services available to
immigrant and refugee elders. The Open
House allowed NSC to showcase the rich cultural opportunities offered at the
Center. Thai Vat, a senior center
member, created a traditional Vietnamese cut-out art piece that was presented
to Secretary Hall during his visit to the Center. Mr. Hall commented later that
NSC was one of the most unique senior centers he had seen during his tour of
various senior centers in southeastern Pennsylvania.
The event was very successful, with over 90 people in
attendance. We look forward to hosting this event next
year.
To learn more about the many activities for provided at our Senior Center, contact Tara Swartzendruber-Landis at [email protected] or 215.324.7554.
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Jefferson Public Health Students Give Health Communication Workshops to ESL Students
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Members of Thomas Jefferson University's SAPHE group recently agreed to provide health communication lessons to NSC's English as a Second Language students on a volunteer basis. SAPHE (Safety Awareness and Public Health Education), a group of students involved primarily in the Public Health graduate program, create and administer health lessons on topics such as nutrition and exercise, patient-doctor communication, and recommended health screenings and immunizations.
Aditi Kamdar, a Jefferson medical student, works with NSC's Education Department staff to prepare the lessons, while several Jefferson graduate students from the Public Health Program teach the classes.
SAPHE students also share information about symptoms, prevention and basic medical care for common illnesses, good nutrition, exercise, and local health resources. The lessons, which are one hour long, have proved to be a great experience for both the Jefferson volunteers and NSC students.
As a result of working with SAPHE volunteers, NSC's ESL students have become more self-confident about seeking medical attention and expressing their health concerns. The topics are an excellent addition to the Education Department's core curriculum, which focuses on English for everyday communication, finding and retaining employment, and helping parents help their school-aged children learn. |
Advocating for Immigrants and Refugees | In addition to providing direct services to our immigrant and refugee clients, NSC advocates for change to federal and state policies regarding immigrants and refugees. NSC is an active member of PICC (the Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition) and is a local member of the National Immigration Forum. On June 3, 2009, Executive Director Dennis Mulligan led one of several advocacy teams for Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition's 1st Lobbying Day in Harrisburg. They spoke with four state representatives about the importance of comprehensive immigration reform, and reminded the elected officials of the vital contributions immigrants have made and continue to make to the state. In May 2009 Dennis Mulligan and Director of Social Services Juliane Ramic met with legislative aids from Senators Specter and Senator Casey's offices in Washington, D.C. to press for increased federal funding for refugee resettlement programs. In May 2009, Director of Education Ellen Polsky was appointed to the Board of Directors of Teachers Against Prejudice, a grass roots non-profit organization focused on increasing awareness of prejudice and discrimination and to examining its causes. The group seeks open dialogue with and between students and educators from elementary school through college, and promotes understanding and respect for all through the critical exploration and analysis of films, television, and other media. On January 23, 2009, Executive Director Dennis Mulligan testified before the Inter-American Committee on Human Rights about U.S. immigrant detention policies.
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NSC Welcomes Six Service Corps Members to Team!
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NSC is committed to improving lives, strengthening communities, and fostering civic engagement through service and volunteering. We are excited to welcome six new VISTA and Jesuit Volunteer Corps members to our agency!
For 40 years VISTA has been helping bring communities and individuals out of poverty. Today, nearly 7,000 VISTA members serve in hundreds of nonprofit organizations and public agencies throughout the country - working to fight illiteracy, improve health services, increase housing opportunities, and bridge the digital divide.
This year Nadia Barclay, Jennifer Ralston, Ingrid Pimsner, and Zakariya Ismael will serve NSC as AmeriCorps*VISTA members, helping us address our clients' growing social needs resulting from the economic downturn.
Nadia is a member of the Arab-American Resource Corp, a one-year AmeriCorp national direct service program. In this position, Nadia helps build the partnership between NSC and the Arab-American Community Development Corporation in Philadelphia. At NSC, she provides social services to Iraqi refugees, teaches orientation and transitional ESL classes.
Jennifer will serve as Development Associate working to expand NSC's capacity to provide vital housing and education services to immigrants in the Philadelphia area.
Ingrid will serve as Job Developer. In this important role on our employment team she will reach out to companies that might employ refugees, working to help them meet their need for hard-working, talented employees.
Zakariya will serve as Resource Development Associate in our Social Services Department, expanding NSC's resources for refugee resettlement. He will expand the capacity of our resettlement services by developing new partnerships for in-kind donations. He will also manage NSC's Social Services volunteer program.
The Jesuit Volunteer Corps is a national and international program based in Baltimore and operated by five local program offices. Jesuit Volunteers make a commitment to serve where the need is greatest, to work with people who are marginalized by society, and to live in community with other Jesuit Volunteers.
This year Aimee Sarah George and Rachel Arciaga will serve as Jesuit Volunteer Corps members, providing vital resources to low-income clients who are served by our Legal and Social Services departments. all.) She will be the coordinator for naturalization and citizenship
services and will assist asylees and refugees applying for permanent
resident status.
Aimee will continue the work of John Thompson, also a Jesuit Corps member, in our Legal Department. (John starts law school in Colorado this F Rachel will play an important role in NSC's refugee resettlement program by supporting our case managers as a case aide. In this role, she'll be tasked with locating housing, and setting up housing prior to our clients' arrival, and assisting with applications for public entitlements.
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Make A Contribution Today! |
We hope that you have found this edition of NSC's Voice enjoyable
and informative. Please take the time to forward this newsletter to
your family, friends and colleagues. You are an integral part of our
outreach efforts. We also invite you to take an active role in our mission by donating to NSC. Your generous donation can make a significant impact in the lives of the individuals and families we serve.
Your financial gift recognizes the special needs of newcomers by
welcoming them and helping them to overcome obstacles to rebuilding
their lives, connecting them to their new homes and facilitating access
to resources, and empowering them to become self-sufficient and contributing members of the Greater Philadelphia community. If you have any questions or wish to discuss your contribution to NSC, please contact Kathrin P. Ivanovic in our Development Department.
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Nationalities Service Center:
Nationalities Service Center (NSC) is a nonprofit organization that
provides social, educational, senior, translation and interpretation,
and legal services to immigrants and refugees in the Greater
Philadelphia area. Each year, we help approximately 4,000 individuals
from over 90 countries.
Our mission is to help immigrants and refugees participate fully in
American society. We implement this mission by meeting four main
objectives:
- Protecting legal rights
- Strengthening families and promoting self-sufficiency
- Eliminating barriers caused by language and cultural differences
- Promoting public awareness of the benefits of diversity in American society
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Contact Information: 1216 Arch Street 4th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 215.893.8400 Fax: 215.735.9718 Email: [email protected] Website: www.nscphila.org |
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