ADULT EDUCATION

Our ESL Classes are held twice weekly in the late afternoons. The class ranges in native languages and English proficiency. The Class is run by an ESL Instructor with help from volunteers. They work on all four components of English such as listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The goal is to provide a comprehensive curriculum for functional English language skills, workforce development skills, basic understanding of the American culture and functional workplace standards as well personal financial management, basic computer skills, and generally how to navigate the American social system to the adults in the refugee community in Providence, RI. We are also looking for people who are willing to transport students to and from class.

JOURNEY TO HEALTH

The Journey To Health program targets 30 refugee individuals. RDC decided to implement a comprehensive culture-sensitive health program known as the Journey To Health, in order to address the healthcare and mental health needs of the refugees resettled in Rhode Island so they can live healthy and independent lives. The Journey To Health is a preventative health promotion approach that fuses cultural orientation with basic health awareness. Participants in the program are empowered with resources and knowledge with the intention that the refugees will live healthy and independent lives, and build a safe, trusting social support network, as well as gather basic stress coping skills to minimize trauma and incidents of domestic violence.

Volunteers that support this program help with watching the kids of parents taking the class, helping the class run smoothly, observing the presenters, and occasionally offering translation support. Classes take place on Saturday mornings.

MENTORING

We have begun a new Refugee Mentoring Program. The vision is that the volunteer and matched refugee individual or family a couple times a month to work on English language skills (vocabulary and conversation) by fostering relationships between each other and within the community. This may involve going to homes to help with English practice, showing them around the community (go with them to the bank or grocery shopping, go to parks or the library), or help with transportation to classes/events at the Refugee Dream Center. The goal is to help show individuals how to become independent in their community while focusing on building key relationships. This is a long-term individualized volunteering experience.

GENERAL

We are always looking for volunteers to help with our big events that we hold annually such as World Refugee Day. We also welcome volunteers with other special skills that can assist in administrative and developmental work around the office as well as provide their expertise in Refugee work and advocacy.

We are always looking for volunteers who are interested in sharing their time and talents. Please email us if you are interested (info@refugeedreamcenter.org) and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. 

Thank You!