January Updates

From the Executive Director: Happy New Year!

The ancient Roman god, Janus, the namesake of the month of January, had one face looking backward and another gazing forward into the future. New year celebrations all over the world seem to have this same quality of reflecting on the past and hoping for happy days ahead.

As I consider the past year at International House, I am struck by the fact that we have been at our new home in the Midwood International & Cultural Center for over a year now. It has been a remarkable feat to transform an empty former high school into a vibrant campus of cultural, international, and civic organizations serving the Charlotte community. We could not have done it without the hard work, perseverance, and "can do" spirit of many people. I am immensely grateful for the efforts of Monte Ritchey, Tony & Lakana Bikhazi, the International House Board of Directors and staff, and the generous donors who made it possible. >> Read More

Doorways Pot Luck Luncheon - Jan. 8

Event Details

Program: "Getting to Know You" Pot Luck Luncheon

Date & Time: Wednesday, January 8, 2014 at 10 a.m.

Location: International House (in the auditorium)

Address: 1817 Central Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28205

Doorways is a group of international women who meet on the first Wednesday of each month for social and cultural exchanges! Doorway kicks off 2014 with its "Getting to Know You" Pot Luck Luncheon on January 8 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This event will take place in the auditorium in order to accommodate everyone comfortably. Refreshments will be provided. You (and your guest) will bring a favorite dish to share for lunch!

For more information, contact Lakana Bikhazi at laklouk12@carolina.rr.com.

Islamic Art Film Screening - Jan. 8

Event Details

Date: Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Time: 7:00 - 8:30 PM

Address: 1817 Central Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28205

Admission: FREE

Narrated by Academy Award winning performer

Susan Sarandon, this dazzling documentary reveals the variety and diversity of Islamic art. This new ninety-minute film takes audiences on an epic journey across nine countries and over 1,400 years of history. It explores themes such as the Word, Space, Ornament, Color and Water and presents the stories behind many great masterworks of Islamic Art and Architecture.

The film will be followed by a brief discussion led by Amad Shakur who is founder and director of the Center for the African Diaspora, a research institute in Charlotte. Mr. Shakur works as an Africanist for UNESCO of the United Nations and is compiling an anthology of African and African American writers.

For more information, contact International House at 704-333-8099 or info@ihclt.org.

Who's in the House: Brazil! - Jan. 23

Event Details

Date: Thursday, January 23, 2014

Time: 6:30 - 8:00 PM

Location: Midwood Gym

Address: 1817 Central Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28205

Admission: FREE

On Thursday, January 23rd, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM, International House is delighted to welcome a group of Brazilian Youth Ambassadors at our "Who's in the House" event. The group will be visiting Charlotte from January 15 to 27 to study social justice and volunteerism. These visitors will share stories about their culture and life in Brazil. Refreshments will be provided. The event is free and open to the public! For more information, please contact Johnelle Causwell at jcauswell@ihclt.org or at 704-333-8099, ext. 121.

Volunteer Opportunities at International House!

Interested in teaching English and/or citizenship classes at International House? Check out the volunteer positions below:

Citizenship Tutor
Time commitment: Sundays, 6 weeks
Hrs/week: 1

Help an immigrant achieve his or her dream of becoming a U.S. citizen. Tutoring takes place on Sundays from 2 - 3pm. Help a student in our Citizenship class understand, read, and write the 100 naturalization questions that may be asked on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services exam. Choose from one of two sessions: January 26 - March 2 and/or April 27- June 1.
Tutor orientation is always on the first Sunday from 12:30-2pm.

English Tutor
Time commitment: Mondays, 10 weeks
Hrs/week: 1.5

Teach English and make a lifelong friend with our English Tutoring Program (ETP). Tutors and students are paired based on time availability for a 1.5 hour weekly session on Mondays. Times to choose from are:

11am -12:30pm, 12:30 - 2pm, 5 - 6:30pm, and 6:30 - 8pm. Choose from one of two sessions: January 27 - March 31 and/or April 21 - June 23.

>> APPLY HERE

New International House Officers for 2014!

International House appreciates the dedication and support of our Board of Directors. They give countless hours of service as well as financial resources throughout the year and are our ambassadors in the wider community. At the December 2013 board meeting, the following board members were elected to serve as officers: Jennifer Watson Roberts, President; Vince Altamura, Vice-President; Cynthia Aziz, Secretary; and Satoshi Watanabe, Treasurer.

Thanks to all our IH board members for their leadership, passion, and commitment to International House's mission and work!

In this Issue

From the Executive Director

Doorways Luncheon

Islamic Art Film Screening

Who's in the House

Volunteer

2014 IH Officers

2014 ESL & Citizenship Classes

English Classes

-Dates: January 28 - May 1

-Two class schedules available:

-Tuesdays and Thursdays

10am - 12pm or

-Tuesdays and Thursdays

6pm-8pm

-Cost: $50 for the entire class (includes two books)

Citizenship Classes

-Learn about United States history to prepare for the Naturalization Interview

-Six Sundays: Jan 26 - March 2 (2pm to 5pm)

-Six Sundays: April 27- June 1 (2pm to 5pm)

-Cost: $50 for the entire class (includes book and time with a one-on-one tutor)

For more information and to register for any of these programs please call us at 704-333-8099 or email gjohnson@ihclt.org

Turkish Conversation Hour - Starting Jan. 10

International House is excited to introduce our first Turkish Conversation Hour! The first session will take place on Friday, January 10 at

6:00 PM

Where: International House (1817 Central Avenue,

Room 202)
When: Fridays at 6:00 PM
Cost: FREE!

Appropriate for all levels
No registration required
Drop-ins welcome
All ages welcome

Questions? Call
704-333-8099 or email
info@ihclt.org

International Book Club

Join our International Book Club! The club explores works by international authors with international settings and themes.

Our book club meets the

third Monday of

each month at 7 p.m.

at International House.

The next meeting is

Monday, January 20.

Click here to learn more about the 2014 book selection

News from our Neighbors at Midwood

Universal Institute for

Successful Aging (UISAC)

(Room 208, 1817 Central Ave.)

Please join UISAC for:

African Dance Classes - Saturdays at 5:00 PM

For more

information, contact:

uisac7@gmail.com or

call 704-491-1186.

Jennifer Watson Roberts,

IH Board President

www.ihclt.org ~
704-333-8099

Where Charlotte Welcomes The World!