We hope the Thanksgiving season is treating all of you well, and that you know how grateful we are for your passion and commitment to helping refugee families establish new lives in our community.
As we wind down this year, we’d like to take a moment to announce
a few opportunities for our folks during the coming months.
ESL
Finally, we’re
able to offer an English language class here in the Catholic Charities building
for current and former refugee clients.
Entirely volunteer-run (led by TEFL student Heidi Moses and Jesuit
Volunteer/AmeriCorps Member Shane Young), the class runs from 10:30-12:00 every Thursday morning—except
Thanksgiving, of course. Class is
casual, with one-on-one conversation and instruction as well as group
exercises. Everyone has fun and the time
seems to fly, with students leaving each class with a little more English and a
lot more self-confidence. Tell your
families: we’d love to have them join us.
Unfortunately, there’s no child care, so we can only welcome adults.Head Start
Volunteers
working with younger children, please note: applications for local Head Start
programs are now available in our office, as well as online. There are three main Head Start agencies
serving neighborhoods where our families live. Community Action Head Start
serves families in Beaverton, Hillsboro and Lake Oswego; Albina Head Start
provides services to people living within the Portland Public School district,
while Mount Hood Community Head Start assists clients in East Multnomah County.
To get on
the waiting list for Head Star, and Early Head Start services, a family needs
to complete the application form and bring it, along with birth certification,
immunization record, and verification of income to the designated site. Shane is available to help with this
process. Give him a call if you need
assistance: 503-688-2684.
Remember, refugees
who start off in Head Start are instantly set up for a higher rate of success
than those who enter the public school system without any prior schooling.
Happy
Holiday!
