Church World Service is in the process of recruiting AmeriCorps members for the 2012-2013 year. To learn more about this opportunity, please visit: http://cnnc.uncg.edu/programs/americorps.htm. If you are interested in becoming an AmeriCorps member for CWS you must apply soon! See our job descriptions below:
Full-time Pre-Employment Coordinator
Part-time Volunteer Coordinator
EAO Part-time Employment Coordinator Assistant
Part-time Nepali OR Burmese Interpreter
Also, we have a variety of unpaid internship opportunities for this summer and/or fall. If you are interested, below check out the job descriptions below and follow the instructions on how to apply:
Naturalization Program Administrative Assistant
MOSAIC 2012 KickStarter is LIVE!
This year we are working hard to make the 2012 MOSAIC Festival better than ever. To do that, we need your help! We’ve launched a KickStarter Project to give our supporters and festival goers an opportunity to support the incredible talent behind the festival.
We truly believe that Mosaic is more than just a fun time with awesome food, music and art (though it is definitely all of that). We think it’s one of the coolest ways that we can build community at the local level, crossing lines of ethnicity, class, race, religion and politics to come together to celebrate the diversity that makes our city what it is.
If you agree, head on over to KickStarter and give this great festival a boost!
CLICK HERE TO GO TO OUR KICKSTARTER PAGE: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mosaicfest/mosaic-festival
CWS cuts the ribbon on Computer Learning Lab
CWS Client Cuts Ribbon on New Lab
This winter has been a busy one over at CWS and we’re just now catching up on our posts to keep everyone informed!
Last month, clients, staff, and supporters of the program gathered for the grand opening of CWS’ new Computer Learning Lab which boasts fourteen new computers made possible through the generous support of the Congregational United Church of Christ. The center will play host to basic computer skills training, computer skills for job seekers classes, citizenship preparation, self-paced English language learning and open lab hours for local immigrants.
While employment and citizenship staff are already utilizing the lab, curriculum is being built to start Saturday classes later in the month for those who have little or no previous computer experience. Interns from Elon University will run the classes with the help of local volunteers. We are also working to develop a schedule for open lab hours and will post it as soon as we’ve got it set. Individuals interested in volunteering to assist with a class or to be on hand during open lab days are needed so please contact Kelly at kdent@churchworldservice.org if you’re interested in learning more.
CWS Director Recognized by Triad Business Journal
CWS Director Sarah Ivory received Triad Business Journal's "Top 40 Under 40" award.
On February 17th CWS Greensboro Immigration and Refugee Program Director Sarah Ivory was proud to represent the good work of her organization at the annual Triad Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40 Leaders, awards banquet. Nominated by long time volunteer Marty Halyburton, Ivory was recognized for her contributions and leadership to the communities of the Triad, largely through her work with Church World Service and with the growing Refugee and Immigrant Network of Guilford.
Since opening CWS’ Greensboro office in March 2009, Ms. Ivory has lead a tremendous team of dedicated employees and volunteers, expanding the office’s services to include an innovative cultural orientation program, comprehensive citizenship preparation services and a new computer lab.
When asked in the interview process what she loves most about her job, she wrote “Refugees have fled from some of the most horrible atrocities humans have ever committed against one another; they have often spent years and even decades denied peace and freedom with no reason to hope for a better future. For those very few who are given the opportunity to begin anew in the United States, the path to get here is long and trying and the mere fact that they are able to get out of bed every day – let alone do so with hope and determination for a better future – is deeply inspiring. Having the opportunity to work with newcomers means being surrounded day in and day out by people for whom the promise of America still feels palpable and possible, by people who truly believe in the power of individuals and communities to overcome all odds. What could ever compare with that?”
Oscar Alba-Mejia is the first CWS student to pass the citizenship test this year (2012)!
Oscar first came to the United States from Mexico on a work visa and lived in Arkansas before arriving in the Piedmont Triad. He was living with an uncle in North Carolina when he met his wife who was already a U.S. citizen. Oscar and his wife have an 18-month old son, and Oscar is looking forward to creating a better life for his son in the United States than what he experienced. “Being low-income in Mexico,” Oscar explains, “means it is not easy to get an education.”
Oscar was a dedicated student in the CWS citizenship class, consistently attending class twice a week in Greensboro even though he lives in Kernersville. He was most nervous about the interview, but the class at CWS helped alleviate his fears and give him more confidence in the oral and writing portions of the test. Now Oscar is trying to spread the word about the citizenship classes, as he feels that any person who “has the opportunity to become a U.S. citizen should take advantage of it.”
Oscar passed his citizenship exam on January 9, 2012, and now feels that he truly has the right to be in this country. Instead of feeling inconvenienced that he has to travel to Charlotte to take the citizenship oath, he is excited to take the final step to officially become a citizen.
Now that Oscar has achieved his goal of becoming a U.S. citizen, he would like to formally study English and earn his GED. Here at CWS we wish Oscar the best!
Alma Salazar Passes her Citizenship Exam!
Alma Salazar de Alejos moved to the United States from Mexico in 2006. She has been learning and practicing English ever since she arrived here. Alma had already applied for citizenship and enrolled in the CWS citizenship classes to make sure her application was successful and that she was prepared to pass the exam. “The classes were very helpful to me. In class, I learned the exact pronunciation of the words. I like when the teacher asked us about the 100 USCIS questions.”
Alma loved the citizenship classes and met many friends there who supported her. She also enjoyed the tutoring session outside of class because “there were only two people there, instead of the big class, so I could learn more about things that were difficult for me to learn.” Alma says she will definitely recommend this class to others. Now that she is a U.S. Citizen, Alma is looking forward to many of the privileges that come with citizenship status. She hopes that other people use Church World Services legal and educational services to help with the citizenship process as well.
Citizenship program semester comes to an end and was a big success!
CWS’ new citizenship program semester came to an end this month and was a big success, with over 50 students enrolled and 5 students becoming citizenship in the past three months! Thank you to everyone who supported this program, especially our students and volunteers. Below are quotes from some of our volunteer tutors this semester, as well as a few photos of the classes from the semester.
Corinne Jones – “It has been a fantastic experience having the opportunity to meet and work with such an inspiring group.”
Katia Janecek – “This tutoring/teaching of the citizenship classes has been the greatest thing for me! The students are absolutely wonderful, they want to learn, they keep trying their new language and helping one another. For some, English is the first language that they have ever been taught to read and write in. It is wonderful to be so influential in their development as future U.S. citizens. We, as a nation, have “lucked out” on getting these fine individuals.”
Krishna – “I had a great experience tutoring these students that needed help passing the citizenship exam. They were dedicated and motivated to do well. I enjoyed teaching them”
Josh Faircloth – “I have greatly enjoyed participating with the Church World Service citizenship classes as a tutor. Working with people each week who have traveled such a long way and are working hard to become Americans makes me incredibly proud of my country. I feel privileged to be able to get to know them and their stories and help them as much as I can to have a shot at the American Dream”
Cheryl Brooks-Poole – “My volunteer experience with the citizenship classes this semester was very rewarding! It made me appreciate my own citizenship so much more. As a previous adult college student who studied different cultures and the barriers each culture group faces in the classroom, I found it refreshing and eye-opening to work in the community. While I appreciate what my professors taught me, working side-by-side with refugees and other volunteers taught me so much more about different cultures and the barriers they have to contend with on a daily basis. The tutoring process is definitely a two way learning experience!”
Jennifer Bogacki – “I have found tutoring at CWS to be very satisfying. I really have enjoyed working with refugees and immigrants and hearing about their stories and places of origin. It is humbling to be able to assist the students in such a life changing endeavor, and it is so wonderful to get the news when they pass the naturalization test!”
Saye Zarwolo – “It was a nice time being part of the class. Every member was very happy to learn something new about America. They were excited about becoming citizens to have the chance for freedom where they can work hard to educate their children for a better future. Some told me they want their citizenship to help be able to bring their relatives to the US who they haven’t seen for years. They are happy to also learn English to prepare them for the job markets”
Heith Picklesimer - “Tutoring for the citizenship class has given me a new perspective on the citizenship process. The students are so eager to learn and desire to be US citizens. I couldn’t help but fall in love with teaching these students!”
