 March 2010 |
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New Beginnings..
On a warm summer morning earlier this month, a family from Sudan was finally reunited in Charlotte. It was the end of a long and sometimes taxing journey for Theresa's family and the beginning of happier one. International House of Charlotte had a small part to play in this story as well.
Originally from Sudan, Theresa Majok, her mother, and her then-infant daughter Nyiomon moved to the United States in 2004 as refugees. After six years of living here, Theresa is now a US citizen and Nyiomon is a second grader.
For the past six years, while Theresa was in the US, her husband Matthew was in Egypt. He was finally able to join his family in August 2010. In the 6 years that he has been away, he has only seen his daughter twice. "I am so glad to be back with my family. Seeing my daughter after all these years has been a blessing. We have been to a park close to home and I want to take her to the zoo one of these days," he said.
Theresa moved to Charlotte in December 2005 and her family now calls the Queen City home. Theresa learned about International House, with its Citizenship classes and the Ginter Immigration Law Clinic, through her friends. International House helped her obtain legal citizenship in the US and she couldn't be happier or more grateful -"I am very grateful to Anne Crotty, Laura Young and Jelena Held for their constant support and encouragement."
When asked about how it felt to be a US citizen she said "I am very happy that I am US citizen now. Being a citizen has expedited the process for my husband, for which I am grateful. I know now that I have better opportunities and that makes me happy."
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Youth English Tutoring Program a Success!
International House's Youth English Tutoring program was a huge success!
The Youth English Tutoring Program was launched July 27th with 7 tutors and 33 students.
This pilot program was designed to help bridge the gap between school years for children who don't speak English at home. The students were taught in small groups, 3 days a week for 4 weeks.
We are grateful to St. John's Baptist Church for allowing us to use their classrooms.
We would also like to thank the tutors for their commitment, dedication and support.
To learn more, please click here. |
Thanks to International House Summer Intern!
 Allee Olive, a student at UNC Chapel Hill, has worked this summer in the Ginter Immigration Law Clinic. Under the mentorship of Immigration Attorney Anne L. Crotty, Allee has assisted with administrative work, and has worked closely with the paralegals and attorney in interviewing prospective clients. She has been an invaluable asset to International House.
The internship has allowed Allee to gain exposure and broaden her horizon. "My experience working at IH was really better than I could have expected. When I came in I had no idea what I was going to be doing but was excited to learn about immigration law and work for a non-profit. I fit right into the law clinic and never really felt like I was new. Everyone was so helpful. I always felt like I was doing worthwhile work and really felt like my work and opinions mattered. I got to meet so many interesting people and honestly learned so much about the international community and how our immigration system works. I loved working with the paralegals and felt so comfortable!" Allee said.
To learn more about Internship opportunities with International House, please contact Rusty Reynolds at 704.333.8099. |
Welcome Germany and Turkmenistan into your home!
International House offers you the opportunity to play an important role in citizen diplomacy in Charlotte by opening your home to our international visitors. As a home host, you have the opportunity to experience a different culture by allowing one of our visitors to stay with you and your family.
October 14 - October 21
International House is looking for families with teenagers to home host a German High School Student between the age of 15 - 17 years old. The students are here through the Windows on America Program, a program of International House and the U.S. Embassy of Berlin.
Oct. 21 - October 29 (Option 1) or October 29 - November 8 (Option 2)
International House will be hosting a group of 10 Healthcare professionals from Turkmenistan for a program on "Evidence based Medication as a Basis for Successful Disease Management." They will be in Charlotte through International House and the Community Connections program.
To find out more about becoming a home host, contact Lara Printz, at International House, at 704.342.2247 or lprintz@ihclt.org.
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Gala Sponsors Support Work of International House..
The International House Gala is Saturday, October 16 from 6:30 p.m. until midnight at The Hilton Charlotte Center City. This event is our biggest fundraiser of the year and it helps International House serve people in our community. This year at the Gala, we celebrate Japan - its Beauty and Culture.
Corporate sponsors provide much of the money raised, and we are grateful for their support. All proceeds from the Annual Galas support the programs and services of International House.
The Gala Committee thanks and recognizes the following sponsors:
ASMO North Carolina, Inc., Bank of America, Continental Tire, Murata Machinery USA,Piedmont Natural Gas, Web Full Circle, Inc., Wells Fargo, Blum, Inc., Coats North America, Duke Energy, Fifth Third Bank, KPMG, Moore & Van Allen, Protiviti, Microsoft, Aziz Immigration Law Firm, DNP IMS America Corp., Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm, Langford de Kock LLP, Midrex Technologies, Inc., Oiles America Corporation, Avantgarde Translations, Canadian Consulate, Hisso Shushi, Hunton & Williams LLP, Management inSites, Inc., Presbyterian Hospital, Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, PA, SATO America, Inc., The Language Academy of the Carolinas.
We thank you all for your continued support!
To learn more about the 2010 Gala, please visit us at www.ihclt.org. |
Romanian Film Festival comes to Charlotte!
 The RoSCEC, Romanian Society for Cultural Exchange Charlotte, is presenting the first annual, Romanian Film Festival, August 28 - 29. The festival of four films features internationally acclaimed works of the New Wave in Romanian movie making.
"Niki and Flo" and "12:08 East of Bucharest" will be screened at 7:00 pm Saturday, August 28 in the Queens University Sykes Auditorium. "Niki and Flo" is directed by renowned stage and film director Lucian Pintilie. "12:08 East of Bucharest," directed by Cristian Porumboiu, a New York Times "pick" in 2006, was winner of the Best Movie at the Cannes Film Festival.
"Silent Wedding" and "Philantropy" will begin screening at 5:00 pm on Sunday, August 29 in the CPCC Pease Auditorium. Silent Wedding is a metaphoric comedy about the oppression of the late communist regime and the terror of Ceausescu's era.
"Philantropy" is a dark comedy directed by Nae Caranfil, and stars the well-known Romanian actor Mircea Diaconu, and the late legendary actor George Dinica. The director and screenplay writer of "Silent wedding," Horatiu Malaele and Adrian Lustig, will be the special guests of the RoSCEC, and will be available for an audience discussion about their film after the screening.
All movies will be presented with English subtitles.
Admission is $15 per evening.
The 2010 Romanian Film Festival will be a rich and vibrant addition to the refreshingly diverse arts culture of Charlotte. For more information, please contact Helena Cara Chester, President RoSCEC at 646.460.2812 or mim.cara30@yahoo.com.
You can also visit the website www.romcec.orgto learn more about the festival. |
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Doorways
Doorways is our International House Women's Group, which meets on the first Wednesday of each month for social and cultural exchanges.
The group's next meeting is Wednesday, September 1st at 1 p.m. at International House. The program is "Meet and Greet the International House Staff".
To find out more about Doorways, contact Lakana Bikhazi at laklouk12@carolina.rr.com.
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Thank You!
In July, The Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation funded a grant request from International House under the Foundation's Community Needs Grant Program in the amount of $20,000 to help launch a new program - Youth English Tutoring Program (YETP).
The Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation is a private foundation that provides grants to eligible 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations to support the following focus areas: Education, Community Development, Health/Human Services, Arts/Culture, Civic and Environment. The mission of the Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation is to build strong and vibrant communities, improve the quality of life, and make a positive difference.
YETP assists students who are unable to attend traditional English-as-a-second-language classes due to various circumstances, including cost, transportation issues, location, and time constraints.
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Please give
International House relies on the generosity of our supporters.
Will you consider making a tax-deductible contribution to our programs and services?
To give, click here or send a check to International House at 322 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, 28204.
Thank you! |
English Classes..
English has been called "the language of opportunity."
International House offers English classes for people wishing to improve their language skills.
International House English as a Second Language (ESL) classes began August 23rd and meet every Monday from 6 p.m. -
8 p.m. and Tuesday from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. at IH until December 7th, 2010.
Registration fee is $45 and includes all classes and instruction books.
To reserve your place in class, contact Norma Jiron at njiron@ihclt.org or 704.333.8099. |
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Want to practice your Russian and Portugese?
Are you interested in participating in Russian or Portugese Conversation?
Please join us at International House for weekly Russian and Portugese conversation hours.
Russian conversation hours begin September 1st and meet every Wednesday between 6 p.m.-7 p.m.
Portugese conversation hours begin September 2nd and meet every Thursday between 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Conversation hours are free and open to everyone.
To learn more, please contact Lara Printz, at International House, at 704.342.2247 or lprintz@ihclt.org.
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