During the Fall 2008 semester, as part of the Urban Sociology course, four Holy Cross students helped us to develop a Drop-in Center for our refugee clients in Worcester. On Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, the Holy Cross students met with clients, many who had only just arrived in the United States, for two hours of ESL and computer tutoring.
The students covered a wide range of material based on the clients' needs and knowledge of the English language, but the drop-in center aimed primarily to provide a cultural orientation to make clients as comfortable and independent as possible in their new homes. This cultural education ranged from teaching clients to write their names and addresses, to helping them fill out job applications, to explaining Halloween traditions, which could potentially be disconcerting for families unfamiliar with the spooky customs.
The Drop-in Center was very successful for the Holy Cross students who gained a better understanding of refugee resettlement and the RIAC clients who enthusiastically practiced English and were introduced to computers, many for the first time. Everyone involved was able both to teach about their native cultures and languages, and to learn about those of others. Although the sociologycourse that facilitated the start of this initiative has ended, members of the class will continue to volunteer at the Drop-in Center. We hope to develop a continuing relationship between RIAC and Holy Cross for years to come.
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