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September 2006 |
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| Back to School with Students Plus |
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The staff at the IRC Students Plus After School Program at Crawford High School enjoy these first days of school. Young people’s enthusiasm is heightened; equally enthusiastic volunteers greet the young people, ask them about their day, and reminisce about their own experience as a teenager in high school.
This year at Students Plus, we anticipate even more learning and new experiences than past years. Our goal is to serve a minimum of 300 students with an average daily attendance of 50 students. New fall programming includes a Garden Club, AjA Project photography class, Outdoor Adventure Club, Mo’olelo theater project, newcomer tutorial, Girls Group, Boys Group, and, of course, tutoring in all subjects.
Students Plus recently concluded summer programming designed to reinforce the students’ mastery of the English language. Despite the heat, eager students read new stories, engaged in discussion, and practiced their grammar. However, their learning extended well beyond the classroom; students were rewarded with trips to local San Diego beaches for perfect attendance throughout the week. Beginning at Coronado Beach and ending at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, students experienced local beaches, buried each other in the sand, tossed footballs in the water, and overcame their fear of the waves.
After the first three trips to the beach, students rushed to tell us that they took family members to the beach on their own now that they knew how to get there! We couldn’t have hoped for more!
Volunteers are still needed for this semester. Let us know if you would like to volunteer with the Students Plus Program 2:30 - 5:30 pm one or more weekdays. We also have openings in the Elementary School Tutoring Program on Wednesdays from 12:30 to 2:30 starting September 27th. |
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To inquire about volunteering: sharon.darrough@theirc.org |
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Refugee Centered Website Created by IRC |
www.RefugeeInfo.org is an on-line portal targeting the needs of refugees and asylees in San Diego. It provides vital resettlement information regarding employment, housing, immigration, education, family issues, transportation and more. Information is posted in basic English with downloadable fact sheets in English, Vietnamese and Somali.
If you are a mentor or work closely with refugee families, you may find some helpful information. Take a look and let us know what you think!
Funding to create this website was provided by the Community Technology Foundation. |
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www.refugeeinfo.org |
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| New Financial Literacy Program for Refugees |
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When refugees arrive in the US, an important aspect of their resettlement is ensuring that they have adequate knowledge of US financial systems so they don’t make financial/credit mistakes that will follow them into the future or cost them hard earned money.
To address the issue of educating refugees about financial matters and assisting them to develop good financial habits, the IRC San Diego Economic Development Department has launched a Financial Literacy Program. Using IRC’s specially designed curriculum, “Pathways to Financial Freedom”, the program includes trainings, one-on-one counseling on banking, bill paying, credit, etc, innovative credit building micro-loans, and free tax preparation.
The program will utilize volunteers from Point Loma Nazarene University and is made possible by support from the San Diego Foundation, Washington Mutual, and California Bank and Trust. Thank you!
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IRC Microenterprise Program |
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What's Snow? Refugee Orientation in Kenya |
The LA Times recently had a front page article on the orientation refugees receive before they come to the United States. Those coming to San Diego don't need to know much about snow but this was a topic in the orientation held at the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. Many of our Somali and Sudanese clients lived in the Kakuma camp before coming to San Diego.
IRC San Diego Director Bob Montgomery visited the Kakuma Refugee camp three years ago. IRC operates several health, education, and gender based violence programs at the camp.
Please take a few minutes to read this interesting article.
Photo: IRC English Class in Kakuma by Bob Montgomery |
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LA Times Article |
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| See the West Coast Premiere |
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Since Africa, a play about a newly arrived refugee from Sudan and the volunteers who assist him is making the West Coast Premiere right here in San Diego. The play stars Alephonsion Deng, an IRC client and the co-author of the book They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky. Please take the time to see this wonderful production:
Dates: October 12 - 29th
Tickets: $15 - $30
Location: Diversionary Theatre on Park Blvd
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Mo'olelo Performing Arts Company website: |
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www.moolelo.net |
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Universalist Unitarian Church Helps Refugee Children Go Back to School |
Thanks to a generous donation by the congregation of the First Universalist Unitarian Church in San Diego, IRC was able to purchase backpacks and school supplies for every recently arrived refugee school-aged child. These backpacks allow the child to feel proud and prepared for their first day in an American School (maybe their first day in school ever).
Thank you UU! You truly made a difference in the life of these children!
Photo: Refugee sisters receiving backpacks last year
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Ramadan: Special Request |
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. It is during this month that Muslims observe the Fast of Ramadan. Lasting for the entire month, Muslims fast during the daylight hours and in the evening eat small meals and visit with friends and family. Ramadan is a month of worship and contemplation, a period of reflection about the plight of the poor and a time to honor family and community.
Ramadan ends with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, literally the "Festival of Breaking the Fast”, a celebration filled with food, decorations and visits with family and friends. Eid is one of the two most important Islamic celebrations and will occur this year on October 24th.
In honor of Ramadan and the festival of Eid, the IRC will prepare special holiday baskets for our clients. Sambusas (a delicious triangle pastry filled with vegetables, lentils or meat) are one of the staples of this celebration and require vast amounts of flour and oil. Although we will be able to purchase some of these supplies, we are requesting additional donations of flour and oil to supplement our efforts. Thank you for your support and generosity.
If you would like contribute food items or a gift card to a grocery store for our Ramadan gift baskets, please contact Kate Hughes at 619 641-7510, ext. 244 or the e-mail address below.
Photo: Traditional Somali Sambusa |
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kate.hughes@theirc.org |
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| Our New Address |
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Please remember that we have moved:
International Rescue Committee
5348 University Ave, Suite 205
San Diego, CA 92105
E-mail and Phone numbers remain the same. |
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www.theirc.org/sandiego |
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