Tag Archives: Immigrant and Refugee Integration

Ibrahim Achieved his Dream and Changed his Life!

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by Ahmad Zia Afzali
English Skills Learning Center

If one has never attended school nor is able to read or write in any language, then passing the U.S. citizenship test can be a huge milestone that would require years of effort and hard work to become a U.S citizen.

Ibrahim Mohamed came to the United States in October 2004 from a refugee camp in Kenya, but he is originally from Somalia. He became an English Skills Learning Center (ESLC) student in May 2010 and informed us that his goal was to pass the U.S. citizenship test. Being a father of 10 children (two of whom are disabled) and head of a 12 member household, it has not been easy for Ibrahim to be able to attend class or to learn and prepare for the citizenship test. On top of that, Ibrahim never attended school and isn’t able to read and write in any language. However, Ibrahim managed his time in order to attend class provided by the ESLC and worked hard in hopes of achieving his goal: to be an American.

During this period of time he worked with several volunteer teachers who were supported by ESLC staff.  All of his volunteer teachers were so impressed with Ibrahim’s hard work, enthusiasm, and interest in attending class.  Since 2010, Ibrahim has taken the citizenship test four times, once in 2010, once in 2011 and twice in 2012.  While he was not able to pass the test in his first three attempts, he never lost his interest and continued working and attending class. Finally his hard work paid off and he successfully passed the citizenship test in his fourth attempt which was on August 7, 2012!!  I know and feel how much it means to Ibrahim to be a U.S citizen. The ESLC volunteers and staff acknowledge that we have a big responsibility, but together we can accomplish the goals of our students.

Now that Ibrahim achieved his dream he has changed his life and family status.  It is now time to express our appreciation and thanks to our great volunteers who dedicated their time during this long journey to help Ibrahim achieve his goal.  Thank you for making a monumental difference and supporting our mission: bringing the promise of integration, security, and empowerment to adult newcomers in Salt Lake County.

Congratulations Ibrahim and thank you to everyone at the English Skills Learning Center for LIVING UNITED!

***English Skills Learning Center works with United Way of Salt Lake as a Strategy Partner. English Skills Learning Center serves Kearns, South Salt Lake, and West Valley City by training volunteers to teach and supervise English classes for the growing adult newcomer population.***

To Welcome With Open Arms

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By Elizabeth Garbe

Community Impact Director of Public Policy

Last night my family had some friends over so that we could all meet a foreign exchange student from Pakistan, Seema, who had recently begun staying with them.  For the next year Seema, this young, smart girl will be attending Highland High School and exploring the world of the American Teenager.  While talking with this student, I was in awe at how independent, well educated, and focused she was.  Seema speaks five languages, attends a school far away from her home, and plans on being a doctor.  However, she meets many struggles because she comes from a town where all of the schools have been destroyed by the Taliban and most schools that are close are too dangerous for her to attend, simply because she is a girl.  Despite this, her visit to America is not about seeking a better life, but about learning a new culture and being exposed to new ideas.

Later, I started to worry about how Seema, whom I am learning is utterly amazing, may be received in an American high school–knowing how difficult high school can be with its social aspects and cliquey teenagers.  However, then I sat back and looked at all of the people who were in our home welcoming her to our state.  Many people supported her coming to Utah by spending hours preparing her new home and helping her new exchange mother, Laurel, get ready for her arrival.  These are the people that will support her as she submerges herself into her new Utah life.

One of United Way of Salt Lake’s priorities is to create cohesive communities to address Utah’s changing demographics by increasing the broader community’s level of trust, compassion and reciprocity of immigrants and refugees.  This young girl from Pakistan is being welcomed with open arms to our close-knit community of friends and families, but we must remember that not all immigrants and refugees are welcomed with such acceptance.  In partnership with multiple organizations, UWSL’s welcome centers located in a number of local neighborhoods, work to create a safe atmosphere for people joining our neighborhoods. I think it is important for each of us to ask ourselves on a regular basis how we can be involved in creating an inviting community for people who seem different from us.

Tuesday Tip: Take Free Money and Save it (Part 1)

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Take free money and save it, part 1

Low and moderate-income taxpayers qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit. This refundable credit often pays more than $1,000 (sometimes more than $2,000) to those who claim it. This free money can be a huge help to tight finances or low savings accounts. Be sure to save at least half of the money!

Visit the Believe website for more information about the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Refugee Cultural Celebration

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By: Darren R. Peterson
Design and Brand Manager

June was National Refugee Month and what a beautiful mix of culture, artistry and freedom of expression. I had the opportunity to attend the The Hser Ner Moo cultural celebration at the Columbus Center in South Salt Lake where the dance competition was extremely diverse and the traditional clothing unbelievable.  Everyone had a great time displaying tribal moves and dress handed down from generation to generation. Beautiful native dances were performed from Indian, Tibetan, African and Spanish cultures as well as those who mixed it up with some moves of their own. The tragic story of Hser Ner Moo has united the people of South Salt Lake the cultural celebration was an opportunity for everyone to come together and share their diverse heritage and traditions with the entire community. I look forward to next year when I can visit the African beading and other cultural events that are sure make me smile with my heart. Now, if I could only find that dance from my home country, Denmark…..hmmmmm?

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Refugee Awareness Month

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By: Bill Crim
Senior Vice President of Community Impact and Public Policy

Over the past decade, Utah has become the new home to an average of 800 refugees each year.  For the past two years the number of refugees resettled in Utah has been over 1000 each year.  A refugee is a person who is forced to flee his or her country due to past persecution, or a well-founded fear of future persecution, because of political opinion, race, religion, nationality, or particular social group.  There are approximately 42 million refugees and other displaced people in the world – more than the combined populations of New Jersey, Virginia, Washington, Massachusetts, Indiana and Arizona.

Since 2006, with the leadership and financial support of the Women’s Philanthropic Network, United Way of Salt Lake has been working in partnership with dozens of organizations to create and improve opportunities for immigrant and refugee integration.  An initial pilot of four “welcome centers” – easy to access locations where immigrants and refugees can find support for education and English language instruction, jobs and financial stability, health, and community engagement – will soon be expanded to six hubs in Salt Lake and Summit Counties.

As Refugee Awareness Month comes to a close – UWSL encourages everyone to learn more about and welcome those who are new to our community.  As they begin their lives in a new home, working to learn a new language and a new culture, they simultaneously make our community more rich and diverse.  Please consider joining us at any of the following events:

June 27, Community Dialogue: “We are all Refugees- Exploring our Pasts, Presents and Futures,” 6-8pm @ Horizonte Welcome Center (1234 Main Street, Salt Lake City)

June 28, International Rescue Committee and Bhutanese Community Cultural Event, 6:30pm @ Horizonte Welcome Center (1234 Main Street, Salt Lake City)

In addition, there are many ongoing volunteer opportunities that can be found by visiting our web site (www.uw.org) or by calling United Way’s 2-1-1.