Help Refugee KIDS This Summer

Each summer, a local non-profit organization (Austin Area Interreligious Ministries) hosts a 6-week program for newly arrived refugee children to prepare them for their first experience with U.S. schools. When refugee children arrive here, they usually know no English and have different educational backgrounds. Some may have never attended school; others could have had their education interrupted year after year because of civil war. Nothing in their backgrounds prepares them for what it's like to be a student in the Austin Independent School District. From transportation, to proper behavior; from study skills, to computer literacy; from social interaction to attire - everything is confusing to a newly arrived refugee. And to complicate matters, they don't know enough English to ask questions.

The goal of AAIM's refugee youth summer program is to make the first year of school less intimidating for the refugee children who have come from very different educational environments. The children are taught by volunteer teams led by professional teachers with experience in teaching English as a Second Language. The curriculum stresses English, basic math and school skills, plus the program offers the children opportunities to learn more about Austin through some field trips.

Volunteer Needs...

• 10-15 adult volunteers a day for each week of the program.

• Adults with the availability and a heart to serve our local refugee population.

• Parents with teenage children, between 12 and 18, are welcome to participate together.

• High school students 16 or above may participate on their own after a one-on-one interview.

• Younger volunteers must have a parent or parent-approved adult volunteering at the same time.

Details...

• Youth Program runs from June 14-July 22, 2010

• The Volunteer Commitment is to serve a minimum of 1 week of the program's 6 weeks

• The Volunteers work Monday-Thursday from 9a-12p for the week they have committed to.

• The Youth Program is hosted at a downtown church.

• The Youth Program will host refugee children aged 6-18 from countries like Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Burma, Bhutan, Congo, Burundi, Somalia and Cuba.

• The Youth Program will likely have 50 children during the summer.

• Volunteer Training is Tues May 18th in the evening.

For more information or to volunteer, please email Lu (luz@aaimaustin.org), or call 512-386-9145 X 12.