Annual Report: MORE AT THE DOOR!
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International House pulled out the welcome mat and opened the door wider than ever in 2011. Click here to download our Annual Report and find out what happened at "The House" during the past twelve months!
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Speak English? Want to help change someone’s life?
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International House is seeking volunteer tutors for our English Tutoring Program (ETP), an initiative helping immigrants and refugees with limited English proficiency prepare for the USCIS citizenship exam. A volunteer tutor is matched with an adult student, and both commit to meeting at a mutually convenient time and place for an hour and a half per week to work on English fluency and review American history, civics and national symbols. Tutors are asked to meet with students 15 times between February 27 and June 18 at a library or café.
Volunteers are provided with training and orientation as well as ongoing access to experienced ESL teachers and consultants. The next training session (a two-day training) will be at International House--322 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, 28204--on Thursday and Friday, February 9 and 10, from 6:00 to 8:30 PM.
If you are interested in volunteering, call us at 704.333.8099, or email njiron@ihclt.org.
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Citizenship Class Registration Now Open!
New Citizenship Classes
Begin Sunday, February 19th
International House Citizenship classes help individuals prepare for the USCIS citizenship test and interview by reviewing American history, geography and government. The class is taught in English, and you will have the chance to speak with a local immigration attorney who will answer all your questions.
Citizenship classes take place every Sunday from 1 to 4 PM for 6 consecutive weeks, beginning February 19, 2011. The cost for the entire series is $25.
*For more information or to sign up for citizenship classes, please contact Norma Jiron:
NJiron@ihclt.org or 704-333-8099
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| Storyology: Autobiographical Films by Immigrants and Refugees. |
Over the weekend of January 28th,International House hosted the first of a three-part "Storyology" workshop, teaching seven local immigrants the art of moviemaking. Each of these individuals will produce a digital life story of his or her own journey to the USA. The workshops are coordinated by International House and the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), and made possible by a grant from the Arts and Science Council of Charlotte. The goal is to give long term Charlotte residents an understanding of the struggles and triumphs of some of their newest immigrant neighbors, while also empowering immigrant storytellers with video skills and pride in their achievements.
Storyology videos are produced by the immigrants themselves with the help of volunteer mentors. In the videos, each student narrates his or her journey with background music and images chosen (and sometimes photographed) by the students themselves. Their work will be showcased at a screening debut at International House on March 16th.
The current workshop includes immigrants hailing from Eritrea, Sudan, Bhutan, Nepal, Colombia, and Mexico.
Siem Yohanes, an International House client from Eritrea, at the Storyology workshop.
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English Tutor Helps Doctor Achieve U.S. Dream.
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Cesar Ortega, a Medical Graduate from Peru, contacted International House in early 2011 to enroll in the English Tutoring Program (ETP). He needed help with his medical board exam and was looking for a native English speaker who was willing to practice simulated patient-doctor interviews and report writing, two crucial elements to passing his exam.
Cesar, a 46 year old widower with two children, left his home country of Peru and his children to pursue a medical career in the United States. He was looking for a better life and hoped to ultimately bring his children to the US. When he contacted International House, he had been studying in the US for two years, living off his life savings. Cesar was quickly matched with volunteer tutor Brandon Gibbs, and they met for one to two hours a day for a few weeks until he felt confident with his progress. Last October, the Indian Trail resident passed his medical boards and is on his way to success.
Cesar is grateful to International House for the help he received and recently sent us the following note:
"Thank you International House for all the help. Thanks to your support I was able to take one more step on my way to my American dream. Just wanted you to know how helpful and important your work is with newcomers -- Thank you so much!."
Best regards,
Cesar Ortega M.D.
Cesar was recently featured in an article by the Charlotte Observer. Click here to read the article>>
Before coming to the US, Ortega spent some time in Japan. In this picture he eats Japanese-style with his late wife Patricia and daughter, Fatima.
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Charlotte University: Live, Learn, Grow is a “teach the teacher” program for Charlotte’s immigrant communities, offering information about local resources vital to successfully integrating into Charlotte life. This initiative is designed to teach immigrant groups that these resources exist and how to use them. It is also designed to overcome barriers such as language, fear, and cultural differences.
Several Charlotte University luncheons are offered throughout the year. Topics addressed include employment services, legal services, education, healthcare, financial literacy, emergency services, cultural awareness, social services, housing, and employment.
The next luncheon will take place on Friday, February 24th and will focus on taxes and vocational training. Please note that the luncheons are by invitation only. If you think that you or someone you know might benefit from this program, please contact Hendrik van Vuuren at hvanvuuren@ihclt.org or call 704-333-8099.
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Exchange opportunity to Brazil for thirteen American teenagers ages 15-17 |
The Youth Ambassadors Program with Brazil is pleased to extend an opportunity to talented American young leaders and adult mentors for a three-week summer leadership program in Brazil.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
FEBRUARY 17, 2012 - 11:59 PM EST
High School Students please click here to apply.
Adult Mentors please click here to apply.
The Program aims to develop a cadre of young adults in Brazil and the U.S. who have a strong sense of civic responsibility, a commitment to community development, and an awareness of current and global issues. Download more information >>
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From the executive director
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A FULL HOUSE
Today, International House is bursting at the seams. Every room, nook, and cranny is occupied. About 40 women are laughing and talking in the Kellan Room as they enjoy the monthly meeting of Doorways, a social and support group for international women. Participants in a Spanish conversation hour fill the front parlor. Meanwhile, an English conversation group is meeting in the back room, and students in two ESL classes are using the upstairs conference room and even the staff kitchen. Our legal staff are finding creative options to meet with clients in the tiny room in the stairwell and in office corners. And then there are all the volunteers and interns who occupy every desk and computer not claimed by a staff member. Someone joked that the only vacant seat in the house was in the executive bathroom upstairs!
While International House might be a bit more crowded than usual today, it is still a common occurrence that our building is filled to capacity. The prior year has seen an expansion in our programs and services, and there are simply more at our door than ever before. I invite you to take a moment and check out our 2011 Annual Report, hot off the press, and filled with exciting information about the good things that happened here last year. Our commitment to offer quality legal and educational services to Charlotte’s low-income immigrant community meant that in 2011 we served a record 1,133 low-income clients needing information, referrals, or legal assistance in their journeys toward U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. Additionally, over 630 adults and children received English or educational services.
We believe in not only providing direct services to Charlotte’s newest residents, but ALSO in building international understanding and helping native Charlotteans become better global citizens. In 2011, International House brought 221 high-level international leaders from 74 countries to Charlotte for a look at U.S. best practices in industry, medicine, nonprofit and academic institutions. Many members of Charlotte’s corporate, business, and professional communities engaged with these international visitors for mutual learning and intercultural fun through our citizen diplomacy program. And, long term Charlotte residents enjoyed frequent opportunities to experience connections with international neighbors through special events, classes and concerts during the year.
Last year was busy and full, but we are looking forward to even better things in 2012.
Check out the opportunities to get involved. Try out one of our conversation hours or a dance class later in March. Check out Doorways or the International Book Club. Volunteer to be an English Tutor. Stop by and just say hello. Even with a full house, there’s always room for one more!
Denise Cumbee Long
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International Book Club |
The next meeting of the International House Book Club will be on Monday, February 20, 2012 at 7 p.m. Everyone welcome!
The book to be discussed will be The Lotus Eaters by Tatjana Soli (416 pages) VIETNAM -- A heartbreaking tale about photojournalists in the Vietnam war.
In the final days of a falling Saigon, three remarkable photographers are brought together under the impossible umbrella of war: Helen Adams, a once-naïve ingénue whose ambition conflicts with her desire over the course of the fighting; Linh, the mysterious Vietnamese man who loves her, but is torn between conflicting loyalties to his homeland and his heart; and Sam Darrow, a man addicted to the narcotic of violence, to his intoxicating affair with Helen and to the ever-increasing danger of his job. All three become transformed by the conflict they have risked everything to record.
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Doorways - International Women’s Group
Doorways is a group of international women meeting on the first Wednesday of each month for social and cultural exchanges. These meetings typically take place at International House and feature different presentations from guest speakers.
Lakana Bikhazi is the volunteer coordinator of Doorways and she says, “My main objective is to make sure that everyone who comes to Doorways looking for new friends and interesting activities will feel welcomed!”
If you are interested in Doorways, please contact Lakana at laklouk12@carolina.rr.com or Lara Printz at lprintz@ihclt.org.
The next Doorways meting will be on March 7th at 10 AM.
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Get Involved |
Home Hosts Needed!
Are you interested in being a cultural ambassador and welcoming some wonderful international guests into your home? Here is your opportunity!
We are looking for home hosts for:
Legislative Fellows professionals from Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka
(April 15th – May 2nd) and
Mexican Youth Ambassadors (high school students) this summer for 2 weeks (exact dates TBA)
*Families with high school teenagers are encouraged to host the Mexican guests.
For more information please contact Lara Printz at 704-333-8099 or or email lprintz@ihclt.org.
For more information about our people, programs, or organization please email info@ihclt.org or call 704-333-8099.
www.ihclt.org
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