ADULT EDUCATION
English Classes for Adults (ESOL), Computer Instruction, US Citizenship Preparation, and Financial Literacy
English Classes for Adults (ESOL)
This program focuses on providing proficiency programs for refugee and immigrant community members in the St. Louis metro area. There are four thematic areas of delivery which include education, economic, health, and technology.
Subcategories of interest include literacy development, resume and cover letter development, and learning about options for childcare.
The tentative schedule encompasses two hours of weekly sessions for adults. The following is a proposed schedule: Mon and Wed 11 am – 1 pm every week. The delivery method will be hybrid to reflect the current community needs.
US Citizenship Preparation
We assist students to develop knowledge of civics, the N-400 application process, and the English language skills required to successfully pass the naturalization interview.
Students meet once a week and they also one on one sessions to meet their individual needs.
Financial Literacy
Financial literacy is the possession of the set of skills and knowledge that allows an individual to make informed and effective decisions with all of their financial resources
SOCIAL CONNECTIONS FOR SENIORS
Social isolation is a challenging and persistent global issue experienced by many older adults, especially among immigrant and refugee seniors. While social isolation is common among older adults, further amplified through the unique risk factors such as racism, discrimination, language barriers, weak social networks, and separation from friends and family predispose immigrant and refugee seniors to a higher vulnerability for social isolation.
V4A has developed programs and services to support socially isolated immigrant and refugee seniors in St Louis. The group meets every week to spend time together, worship, play games, and sometimes have guests to educate them about self-care and mental health.
STORYTELLING
Storytelling is one of the many cultural expressions shared by African-descended people throughout the Americas.
Black immigrants all over the country have been referred to as “invisible immigrants.” Their numbers throughout the United States are growing significantly — today, 20% of all Black Americans are either immigrants or the children of immigrants. But they are rarely centered in national conversations around immigration policy. And even in smaller interactions, many Black immigrants talk about the ways that their cultures, identities and histories are sometimes rendered invisible — or worse.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Accessing high-quality healthcare can be difficult for immigrants living in the United States, however, for older immigrants this difficulty is compounded by a combination of legal, cultural, language and systemic barriers that have widened the existing disparities of healthcare access for this population.
V4A provide services to help the seniors access to healthcare, setting doctors appointment. transportation and health workshop. We work with ST Louis University to provide free mammograms and pap smears for immigrant and refugee women.
