Holiday thoughts

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!