International House Welcomes our Newest Team Members
|
 | |
International House welcomes Ally Yusuf and Lynne Foreman (R)
|
|
| |
Lynne Foreman - Development Director
We are thrilled to announce Lynne Foreman as the new Development Director at International House. Lynne describes herself as a social entrepreneur with a passion for giving back for the greater good.
Lynne brings an impressive list of credentials and experience to IH. She completed the Executive Leadership program at Duke University with a concentration in Social Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise. Lynne began her nonprofit career as the Mid-Atlantic Market Manager of Programs for the American Diabetes Association in Washington DC and later moved to Charlotte to work for the American Heart Association as their Corporate Relations Director. Most recently, Lynne was the Corporate Development Director with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and helped them grow and develop in the Charlotte region.
Ally Yusuf - Marketing Director
International House is also very excited to welcome Ally Yusuf as our Marketing & Communications Director. With her extensive background in marketing, social media and nonprofit administration Ally will further enhance International House's brand identity and community awareness.
Ally was most recently the Associate Director of Client Relations and Marketing at Patton McDowell & Associates, a consulting firm for nonprofits and charitable foundations. Prior to this, she held marketing positions with the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, the Corryville Suzuki Project, and the Taft Museum of Art in Cincinnati, as well as with the National Repertory Orchestra in Breckenridge, Colorado. She also worked as a marketing intern with the Brevard Music Center here in North Carolina. Ally holds a Master of Arts in Nonprofit Arts Administration from the University of Cincinnati. Her bicultural background (she grew up in Bahrain, her father's birthplace, and her mother is from the Philippines) gives her a passion for International House's mission and programs, and she is fluent in English, Arabic, Tagalog and Spanish.
|
|
International House Welcomes Czech Republic Trade Delegation to Charlotte
|
Our Citizen Diplomacy Programs staff recently attended a local reception hosted by the Embassy of the Czech Republic in collaboration with the Charlotte Regional Partnership and the U.S. Department of Commerce.
In photo left to right: Mayor Anthony Foxx, City Councilwoman Lawana Mayfield, International House Program Director, Lara Printz, International House Program Associate, Johnelle Causwell, Ambassador to the United States from The Czech Republic, Petr Gandalovič.
|
|
CDP Staff Plays Important Role at
NCIV Conference in Washington, DC
|
International House staff members traveled to Washington DC in February to take part in the National Council for International Visitors' (NCIV) Annual Conference. International House was one of over 95 International Visitor Centers from across the country participating in this year's event.
 | |
From left to right: Lara Printz, Citizen Diplomacy Program Director International House, Mark Rebstock, COO of NCIV, Dr. Jennifer Clinton, President of NCIV, Johnelle Causwell, Citizen Diplomacy Program Associate, International House, Carole Ward, CDP Intern, International House
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The International House delegation included Lara Printz, Citizen Diplomacy Program Director, Johnelle Causwell, Citizen Diplomacy Program Associate and Carole Ward, Citizen Diplomacy Intern. This year was particularly special with Carole being recognized as one of 10 Emerging Leaders selected to participate in all conference events.
Each year NCIV makes a special push to advocate for continued funding of the State Department's International Visitor Leadership Program. International House played an integral role during the conference by arranging meetings with congressional and senate leaders representing both North Carolina and local districts. While attending country briefings by the Department of State and special programs on promoting citizen diplomacy, our International House delegation gained a great deal from this conference.
|
Enjoy our 2012 Annual Report Online |
The past year was truly an amazing time for International House - and now you can read about all of our important programs and services in our 2012 Annual Report.
This year's Annual Report shares the highlights for each of our four primary program areas - the immigration law clinic, educational programming, cultural events, and our International Visitor program.
The report also recognizes the many generous individuals and organizations that provided the essential financial support to make these valuable, and frequently life-changing, programs possible.
Among the highlights this year:
- Our law clinic served a record number of clients.
- We doubled the size of our summer ESL program for local elementary students.
- We welcomed over 234 international visitors from 81 countries to Charlotte.
- One of our international visitors was chosen as CNN's Hero of the Year.
- Our very popular Conversation Hours helped people learn and practice 8 different languages.
And - in our free time - we successfully moved our offices to the spectacular new Midwood International and Cultural Center on Central Ave. Whew! What a year ... read all about it here >>
|
|
Not Just Learning - Experiencing ESL!
|  Gail Johnson, Director of Education at IH, is working hard to create the very best ESL program in the Charlotte area, and we think she is succeeding! In addition to traditional ESL curriculum, IH now offers our ESL students a broad range of extra-curricular experiences including guest speakers, fields trips, expanded tutoring options, conversation hours, citizenship classes, and now a nutrition program as well. The North Carolina Expanded Food and Nutrition Program (EFNEP), a government-funded organization that presents seminars to local groups that don't typically have access to information about healthy food and nutrition, is currently doing 6 sessions with our ESL students to help them learn healthy recipes and prepare weekly food budgets. Gail is also working with the Levine Museum to organize free field trips for the students to see the Cotton Fields to Skyscrapers exhibit through the museum's community outreach program. With Gail's leadership, and the help of four excellent volunteer teachers - Linda Banks, Rachel Crabtree, Heather Kegerreis, and Amy Rae Foss - International House is committed to bringing the best experience possible to our students. "I'm excited," commented Gail, "because this is what I want the "identity" of our ESL program to be. We are different from other programs around town, thanks to our community connections and all the resources available through International House." |
|
International House has an Award Winning Month!
| |
February was an award winning month at International House!
Laura Budzichowski, who serves on the IH Advisory Board and is an attorney with Robinson Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A., has been selected for the Charlotte Business Journal's 20th Annual '40 Under 40'. This prestigious award recognizes young professionals in the Charlotte area each year for outstanding leadership, notable achievements and tireless contributions to the community. We are so fortunate to have Laura working with us!
Joining Laura on the award podium was Johnelle Causwell, Program Associate with our Citizen Diplomacy Program. She was selected as the Young Professional Newcomer of the Year by the Charlotte Chamber. Johnelle was recognized for her many accomplishments both at IH and her career prior to joining IH. Way to go, Johnelle!
Congratulations to both of these wonderful women!
 | |
Lara Printz congratulates Johnelle Causwell (L) on her selection as Young Professional Newcomer of the Year
|
|
We Love our Volunteers!
| |
February was Volunteer Appreciation Month here at International House.
Literally hundred of amazing volunteers make it possible for us to provide the many programs and services we offer to Charlotte area residents. From home hosting, to staffing our reception office, to legal support, to programming for international visitors, to teaching and tutoring, our volunteers help us succeed every single day.
At the end of February, we held a special drawing for our volunteers and Amy Rae Foss, Citizenship Tutor, won two tickets to the Charlotte Checkers Hockey game on April 12th! Congratulations Amy!
Thanks to the Checkers for donating the tickets, and thanks to each and everyone one of our volunteers. We could not do this without you!
|
|
Happenings at Midwood International & Cultural Center
| |
We love being part of the Midwood International & Cultural Center. There is always so much going on!
The Universal Institute for Successful Aging (UISAC) will be offering classes on proper balance, posture and body alignment as well as classes on traditional Indian dance (Bollywood, Bhangra, Folk). Both classes are free, but preregistration is required by emailing uisac@gmail.com.
To visit their website and to see a full calendar of events and class times go to http://www.uisac.weebly.com
The All Ethiopian Community Center will be holding an opening celebration on March 10th in the auditorium at the Midwood International & Cultural Center. This event is free, open to the public and will be from 5-9 p.m. Come join the celebration and learn a little bit about Ethiopian culture.
UNC Charlotte is hosting an International Film Series and Tournées French Film Festival again this year, March 13-25. This event includes a rich selection of classic and contemporary films from France, Italy, South Korea, Russia and Spain. For more information http://filmfest.uncc.edu
|
|
Our New Address! |
International House's
New Home:
Address:
Midwood International & Cultural Center
1817 Central Avenue, Suite 215
Charlotte, NC 28205
Phone: (unchanged)
704-333-8099
Website: (unchanged)
|
|
|
|
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
| |
| |
Hello, Good-bye
No, it's not the Beatles tune that is going through my head, but the flurry of comings and goings that have happened recently here at International House.
In mid-January we said "Good-bye" to Hendrik van Vuuren our Director of Marketing and Development. Hendrik leaves in order to focus his energies on his expanding marketing company, and we will miss his fundraising and technical skills, not to mention his delightful South African accent! In the midst of the chaos and excitement of moving to Midwood, we also began a search for his replacement, and I am happy to report that we found two wonderful people to fill Hendrik's very large shoes. We offer a big "Hello" to Lynne Foreman and Ally Yusuf who have just joined our staff. I hope you will take a moment to read more about them and their many impressive credentials in this newsletter. Most importantly, they each bring a passion for helping International House to continue to grow and thrive. One sad farewell recently was catching a final glimpse of the Staten House on Hawthorne Lane as it was being torn down. The Staten House was home to International House from our very earliest years. Former Executive Director Kimm Jolly remembers it as "a wonderful place for us to get our foothold." Another former Director, Jose Hernandez-Paris, recalls that it was his "second home for eight wonderful years," while current International House Board member, Dr. Nini Bautista, remembers that the Filipino American Community of the Carolinas, now on its 26th year, held its early events there in the late 1980's. Indeed, the old house saw the birth pangs of several of Charlotte's international organizations, including the Latin American Coalition and the Middle East Council. Major transitions can sometimes be bittersweet, marked by nostalgic remembrances of good times gone by as well as the excitement and promise of new beginnings. And that is how we are feeling at IH these days. We've shed a few tears and shared some fond memories, but we are also keenly aware of an exciting time ahead, a time filled with new plans, new initiatives, and so many possibilities. We hope you will join us. It's going to be a great ride!
Hendrik van Vuuren
 Thank you, Hendrik, and good luck! In February, the International House family said a bittersweet "farewell" to our colleague and wonderful friend, Hendrik van Vuuren. For the past two years, Hendrik has served as the Marketing and Development Director of IH. During that time, Hendrik was instrumental in creating greater community awareness of our programs and services as well as significantly broadening our base of financial support in the Charlotte area. Hendrik leaves IH to pursue private business interests and he hopes to pursue his creative talents as an aspiring glass artisan as well! Thanks, Hendrik for all that you brought to IH and good luck! |
|
Become an International House Home Host!
| |
Discover the world and experience new cultures without a passport or
leaving home! International House is currently seeking families and individuals to host our international visitors.
This month we have a very special home hosting opportunity...
We are looking for Home Hosts for legislative fellows and human rights professionals from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. We are looking for wonderful families and friends to host our delightful guests from April 17th to May 8th. Hosting can take place for half this time frame as well.
Families are asked to provide breakfast and dinner, assist with transportation to their morning internships (around 9am) and pick up (around 5 pm), and be a warm and welcoming host.
Sharing your home and your culture is a life changing experience and a wonderful way to learn more about the diversity and variety of our world.
Become a Cultural Ambassador and make new friends from around the world. For more information, contact Lara Printz, work: (704) 342-2248, or lprintz@ihclt.org.
|
|
DOORWAYS 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.
Our next meeting is March 6th at 10 a.m. when we will welcome Barbara Locklear, a member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and a certified Teaching Artist, Storyteller and Cultural Educator.
If you are interested in Doorways, please contact Lakana at laklouk12@carolina.rr.com or Lara Printz at lprintz@ihclt.org
|
|
RECENT GRANTS, SPONSORSHIPS, and Gifts
| 
Thank you to Wells Fargo for their very generous gifts of $10,000 in support of our Midwood Capital Campaign and a $10,000 Sponsorship of our 2013 Silver Anniversary Gala.
Thank you, Wells Fargo!
A very special thank you to our friends at Perry's Fine Antique & Estate Jewelry perrysjewelry.com who recently donated over $4,000 to International House as part of their "Ten Weeks of Giving" program. Perry's has long been a supporter of our annual Gala Benefit event and we are proud to claim them as good friends of International House. Thank You! 
See All 2012 Donors >> |
|
|
