We’re thrilled to announce that Phase 2 of our expanded vocational training program, Make Welcome Refugee Women’s Center, is launching this week! Three new programs are getting underway on Friday:
- Pre-literacy ESL – There are very few options in Charlotte for refugee women who can’t read or write in any language. Illiterate adults struggle to learn, to be independent, to get work – especially when there is a language barrier. We’re starting a Fridays only literacy program to provide intensive tutoring so that these precious women can gain the skills needed to join ESL classes at either Project 658 or CPCC. The mini whiteboards, notebooks and curriculum just arrived. If you’re interested in volunteering to help out in the classroom, shoot us an email.
- Digital Literacy – Another type of literacy need is with computers and digital tools. Many refugee women have had and continue to have very limited access to computers, and struggle with the myriad ways American life is primarily online. Job applications and homework assignments, work communication and doctor’s appointments – there is so much that needs to be navigated. Women in particular face limited access, both in the States and in their home countries. Thanks to a partnership with the Center for Digital Equity and Johnson C. Smith University, we’re providing 15 laptops to refugee women who successfully complete our digital literacy curriculum, which was provided by World Relief. After this, we’ll be teaching the basics of creating an online store, using design tools such as Canva, and learning to leverage AI tools to help with everyday tasks.
- Job Skills (Hotel & Hospitality) – Working in a hotel or restaurant/catering field provides more flexible work opportunitites for refugee moms. Using a curriculum developed by IRC, we’ll be teaching basic vocational English and job skills for these fields, and having “interviews’ with hotel and restuarant staff so that students can learn the realities of working in these industries.