“Thank You, International House!”
International House Classes Help Student Pass Citizenship Exam

Congratulations to Alejandra Morales for officially becoming a United States citizen on October 4, 2012! Alejandra completed International House's spring and summer ESL and citizenship classes. She worked extremely hard to improve her English skills because she had never taken a formal English class. She rushed to International House directly after her swearing in ceremony to tell us about her accomplishment. "International House helped me in everything", she said. " I came in to learn English, and I had to remember it. With the reading and writing, my basics were not correct. And I didn't know any history for America. Now I am happy and emotional and relaxed.

Thank you to my teachers for always helping me after the hours of the class!" Alejandra's 10-year-old son, Carlos Bedoy, also attended International House's YETP (Youth English Tutoring Program) this summer at Merry Oaks International Academy.

Thanks to all of International House's generous supporters, we are able to help families like Alejandra's improve and achieve their life-long dreams. Better yet, Alejandra became a citizen one day before her birthday. Birthdays don't get much better than that!

Free concert at International House by distinguished South African artist The Ha!Man - Don't miss this one!

The HA!Man (Francois le Roux) is a spontaneous cellist, creating music that fuses his classical background with Africa and the world.

An independent artist, he performs globally, records prolifically and gives inspirational workshops to all ages.
Touted as one of South Africa's top musical talents and a groundbreaking cellist/music creator, he operates independently, traveling about 80 000 km a year by car. He coined the term HA! to express the spirited way in which he conducts his performances.

Performance Date:
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Time:
7pm - 9pm
Where:
International House
322 Hawthorne Lane
Charlotte NC, 28210
Cost: Free (donations welcome)

RSVP not required but helpful.

Contact Hendrik van Vuuren at 704-333-8099 or email hvanvuuren@ihclt.org

Meet Our International Visitors

Discussion with International Human Rights and Legislative Leaders and Advocates from Asia and Eurasia.

Stop by International House October 29th 6pm- 7:30pm and meet our visitors from Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan, Bangladesh and Kyrgyzstan. Learn more about their culture, customs, and entertainment.

Guests will also enjoy light refreshments. You won’t want to miss this great opportunity for international learning and dialogue!
More Info >>

Annual Gala once again a Great Success!

¡Perú Magnífico! – Celebrate its Wonders, our sold-out 24th annual gala fundraiser, took place on October 22, 2011 at The Westin Charlotte. The event was, as always, filled with excitement, glamour, and great people! Peruvian flair and entertainment made this an evening that guests will remember for quite some time.

International House extends a heartfelt "thank you" to all our sponsors, supporters, volunteers, and the wonderful gala committee for making this such a fabulous evening!

List of Sponsors >>

Pictures by James Boon >>
Pictures by Jack Wang >>

Being a tutor and intern at International House is an incredible experience!
By Violet Nikitin

I have the pleasure of working at International House as an intern and tutor for the Citizenship Tutoring Program, a six week curriculum for immigrants preparing for the naturalization test. Classes began September 23 and are scheduled to end October 28. So far, everything has been an incredible success. The students are working adults of diverse origins who come together on Sundays to familiarize themselves with the civics, reading and writing vocabulary, and interview questions they will need to know. They study with individual tutors for an hour and then come together for a combined session lead by Gail Johnson, International House's Director of Education.
Read More >>

An International DNC Experience
By Johnelle Causwell, Program Associate

After almost a year of research and meetings for hotel, transportation, and activity options, as well as obtaining clearance passes for various events during the convention, International House finally welcomed four groups of international visitors for the Democratic National Convention!  It was unlike any other group visit. Our international visitors travelled anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours each way, every day, to arrive at the heart of uptown Charlotte.  Each group had a completely different experience with differing schedules and interests. Our visitors were scattered across the 2-mile radius that encompassed the National Convention perimeter. 
Read more >>

Above: IH Staff with visitors during the DNC

Cultural Ambassadors Wanted!

Do you like to travel and learn about different cultures? This is your chance to discover the world and experience new cultures without a passport or leaving home. International House is currently seeking families and individuals to host international human rights and legislative visitors from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Kyrgyzstan, and Serbia. Sharing your home and your culture is a life changing experience. Become a Cultural Ambassador and make new friends from around the world.

Upcoming Home Host Needs:
Oct. 18 – 26, Oct. 26 – Nov. 7, Nov. 10 – 17

We ask that host families welcome your guest to your home, provide a comfortable bedroom, assist with transportation drop-off in the morning (around 10 am) and pick-up in the afternoon (around 5:00 pm) close to uptown Charlotte. Hosts provide breakfast and dinner and share cultural time with your guest(s) on evenings and weekends.

For more information, contact Lara Printz at work: (704) 342-2248, cell: (205) 332-9695, or lprintz@ihclt.org.
Click here for more details >>

Perry’s is Giving Back to International
House - Shop for a Cause!

Visit Perry’s Fine, Antique and Estate Jewelry from October 22nd-27th, when 10% of all purchases made will benefit International House! Call them at 704.364.1391 to schedule an appointment with a Perry’s sale associate who can help you find the perfect something for any occasion and almost any budget.

Address:
6525 Morrison Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28211
Store Hours:
Mon-Sat 10-6, Thurs 10-7

www.perrysjewelry.com • 704.364.1391 • 800.339.0734

Opening October 11th, Carolina Actors Studio Theatre (CAST) presents the Regional Premiere of Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, Finalist for the 2011 Pulitzer Prize and Winner of the NEA Awards Outstanding New American Play.

Performances are October 11 through November 11, 2012.
More information >>

Enjoy live music with singer David Hakim
and Al Layali Band

Saturday, October 20th, 2012 at 7:00pmThe night will also feature a special performance by Asuhndree Dancers Group and raffle prizes( including a GPS system, laptop computer, T.V., Kindle Fire, Nook, iPad 3, and digital camera)

Tickets: $80 per adult. $25 per child
Location: Charlotte Mariott Executive Park
Purchase tickets online at: http://www.phoenicianclub.org

The Presidential Debates: What’s Missing?

As I listened to the first presidential debate last week on domestic policies, I was struck by the absence of discussion on a very important issue. Not a word was said about issues involving immigration or the need for immigration reform. In the earlier parts of their campaigns, President Barack Obama and presidential candidate Mitt Romney promised comprehensive immigration reform and improvements in U.S.-Mexico border security.  To be sure, both candidates view the issue differently, particularly in respect to what comprises comprehensive immigration reform such as details on a path to citizenship and dealing with the children of undocumented immigrants. I had hoped to hear some clarifying points made during the debate about their respective positions and how they planned to move forward if elected.

But no. It seems the controversial issue of immigration is not palatable fare for either presidential candidate, although I may be proven wrong if it is discussed in the remaining debates. This is unfortunate, as the American public deserves to hear details from each of the candidates on a critical issue that impacts millions of people, citizens and non-citizens alike. For instance, the Obama Administration’s recent Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program has provided temporary relief for one of the pressing immigration issues today, helping young undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children and who have finished high school or are currently enrolled in college. Our staff at the legal clinic here at International House has been helping some of these exceptional young students as they navigate this new process for obtaining a temporary work permit. What will happen to the DACA program if Romney is elected?  If Obama is re-elected?   

Historically, it seems that both parties largely neglect the issue of immigration unless it is useful for fiery rhetoric during key moments of a campaign. And when the field narrows and the race tightens, this controversial topic can disappear altogether. Still, I urge our candidates for political office to step up to the plate and give the American public a clear choice regarding how they plan to tackle one of the most important emerging issues of our time. I hope that we might hear this topic addressed in the remaining debates, and that instead of rhetoric, each candidate will describe his view of the permanent solutions that many Americans hope for and many immigrants need.

By Denise Cumbee Long

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.

The next meeting of the International House Book Club will be on Monday, October 15, 2012 at 7 p.m. Everyone welcome!

The book to be discussed will be The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht (368 pages) - YUGOSLAVIA

Click here to learn more about our featured books.

Basic life skills training for newly arrived immigrants.
Our next free community luncheon will take place on October 24th at International House. Charlotte University helps low-income immigrants and refugees learn how to access area resources and services in order to successfully integrate into their new community.

Translators are available, and lunch is provided. We offer a special thanks to Fifth Third Bank and Crossroards Charlotte for supporting this initiative. This program is by invitation only -- please contact Hendrik van Vuuren at 704-333-8099 ext 12 or email hvanvuuren@ihclt.org for more information.

The Filipino American community in the greater Charlotte areainvite you to attend their Silver Anniversay Gala, a charity dinner, dance, and show, on Saturday, November 10th at 6 pm at the Blake Hotel, 555 McDowell St., Charlotte. (Tickets$55, $60, after October 15.

All proceeds go to direct assistance projects for the Filipino community. Make checks payable to FACC and mail to 12323 Gilston Court, Charlotte, NC 28273.

Help End Global Hunger & Poverty. All are welcome to join the new Charlotte RESULTS chapter to help put an end to extreme hunger & poverty.  So many of us want to make a difference, but don't know where to start, or think we don’t have the necessary skills. RESULTS reminds us that we have a voice and we can use it for effective, systemic change.

New chapter kick-off - Tuesday, October 16th
More info >>
Watch YouTube video >>

UNCC promoting diversity through soccer


Join us for Niners Unite!, a day filled with fun and excitement as we explore diversity and support the men’s soccer team in their match against LaSalle on October 14th!

For more information about our people, programs, or organization please email info@ihclt.org or call 704-333-8099.

www.ihclt.org