Blog

Volunteer of the Week - Lesley Gallagher

2012-05-01T21:47:42Z

For close to a year, Lesley Gallagher volunteered with Refugee Transitions to teach a few immigrant students every week at the Broderick St. Adult Residential Facility. Her class was attended by students at different levels, but Lesley rose to the challenge! Her students were always ready, waiting and looking forward to her class each week. She created excellent lesson plans based on her student's needs and provided individualized support in class. Thanks to Lesley for putting so much time and effort into teaching this group!

Name: Lesley Gallagher

Neighborhood: Anza Vista

Job: Occupational Therapist

RT programs/events you’ve participated in: Site-based ESL class

What are your hobbies? Reading and swimming.
If you could have dinner with anyone, past or present, who would that person be? Both sets of grandparents and their parents. Never met any of them.
What is your favorite book? Dickens, Mark Doty's poetry and poetry in general.
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go, and what would you do? The Sahara, and travel w/ the Bedouins.
If you could instantly learn how to do anything, what would that be? How to meditate without a distracted mind.
Who has been the most influential teacher in your life so far? In college a teacher who taught positive benefits of stress management and how to do it.
What has been your favorite/most rewarding moment as a volunteer with RT? Walking into a classroom and seeing students all ready with their notebooks, being called "Teacher Lesley", having my portrait done by a student, and meeting wonderful people!

"Join me on the Bridge" on International Women's Day

2012-03-07T22:43:17Z

On International Women's Day, Women for Women International is hosting "Join me on the Bridge", an event/walk that symbolizes solidarity and the need to build bridges of peace and hope for women and children in war-torn countries.

Refugee Transitions started in 1982 as a women’s organization - serving refugees from Southeast Asia who were resettling in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco. While we now serve men and women of all ages, over 75% of our clients are still women and girls. We continue to serve people from all over the world whose displacement is often a result of militant or warring states and inequalities in treatment based on race, religion, nationality social group or political opinion.

We encourage you to attend this event in San Francisco and support the "Join me on the Bridge" campaign!

Event details:

The group will gather by the Warming Hut on Crissy Field at 11am. At 11:30am they will proceed to the Golden Gate Bridge. Participants can walk part or all of the Golden Gate Bridge. Children are welcome.

For more information to to RSVP, please visit joinmeonthebridge.org or contact Deanne Yanak Travis at dyt@georgetown.edu.

Celebrating student writers with a book launch!

2012-02-22T19:27:25Z

The students at Oakland International High School have just published their latest comic anthology of immigration stories titled WE ARE OAKLAND INTERNATIONAL.

Come by the Oakland Public Library main branch on Thursday, February 23 from 5:30 to 7:30pm for a very special art exhibit and book launch. The event is free and open to the public.

Meet the students, staff and supporters, see digital stories created by the students, and buy your own copy of WE ARE OAKLAND INTERNATIONAL. All proceeds from the book go directly to the school to continue its mission of providing quality alternative public education to recently arrived immigrants.

An in-depth interview with the students will air on KQED's The California Report on Feb 24. The book is also for sale online at Amazon.

Volunteer of the Week - Aften Pankiewicz

2012-02-03T19:19:17Z

Aften started volunteering at San Francisco International High School early last semester. Luckily for us, and for our students, she would not leave. On the days Aften comes in to tutor she is always hunched over a homework problem until 6 pm when Kyle (our after-school coordinator) is begging everyone to go home.

Aften does a great job connecting with all of our students. She is open and approachable and the type of tutor that can be paired with anyone.

Beyond tutoring, Aften started an SAT prep class in response to student anxiety about the exam. Aften's commitment to the students at SFIHS has been noticed by multiple faculty members who often rave about her. Overall, Aften is a great asset to the SFIHS community and Refugee Transitions is lucky to have her.

Name: Aften
Neighborhood: Lower Haight
Job: Regional Administrative Assistant for Trimac
RT programs/events you’ve participated in: After-chool tutoring at SFIHS

What are your hobbies? Reading, drawing, calligraphy, writing, and English grammar.
If you could have dinner with anyone, past or present, who would that person be? Alice Paul. Her efforts, along with those of other members of the National Women’s Party, made some of the most momentous leaps in women’s rights for our nation.
What is your favorite book? The BFG by Roald Dahl
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go, and what would you do? If I could travel anywhere I would go to Peru and spend a few years teaching English and touring the country.
If you could instantly learn how to do anything, what would that be? I think that one of the best parts of learning is the experience. The small accomplishments, simple mistakes, and utter failures are what make us recognize the worth of that knowledge. When those experiences are taken away, the value of that knowledge diminishes, as well.
Who has been the most influential teacher in your life so far? My most influential teacher has probably been my husband. He constantly shows me the importance of taking each day one step at time and appreciating the beauty along the way.
What has been your favorite/most rewarding moment as a volunteer with RT? My most rewarding moments occur whenever one of my students learns to see past their self-doubt and fears of incompetence and embrace their capability to succeed. It makes me indescribably happy.

Volunteer of the Week - Ilse Pollet

2011-12-26T20:00:36Z

Name: Ilse Pollet
Neighborhood: South Bay
Job: Part-time foreign language instructor (French, Italian, Dutch) + stay at home mom
RT programs/events you’ve participated in: Home-based tutoring

What are your hobbies? Cooking, reading, bike riding.
If you could have dinner with anyone, past or present, who would that person be? Eddie Vedder (lead singer of Pearl Jam), I am a big fan and admire his career and his ability to stay true to his values even when he became a superstar. He also does a lot of activism.
What is your favorite book? Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go, and what would you do? I would love to one day follow the Camino de Santiago de Compostela (Spain) by bike, or ride my bike across the USA.
If you could instantly learn how to do anything, what would that be? Speak Spanish and Karen
Who has been the most influential teacher in your life so far? My high school English and Latin teacher for instilling a love of languages, culture, art and history.
What has been your favorite/most rewarding moment as a volunteer with RT? My student is expecting her first child and we've been having a lot of fun preparing for labor, delivery and taking care of a baby. Imagine us doing yoga poses and breathing exercises and changing diapers on a baby doll!

Volunteer of the Week - Amy Nesbitt

2011-12-19T20:00:21Z

Amy is a part of a small group of volunteers that dedicated their time to our home-based tutoring program. She started working with a high school student from Burma, until she moved away. Amy continued on as a volunteer with an adult from Bhutan, but their time together was once again shortened by another move. Amy persisted and she was finally matched with an young mother of two from Iraq. Amy and her friends are now awaiting a new journey of possibly helping an entire refugee family with the resettlement process and beyond. Amy has shown great enthusiam, patience and flexibility. Here's a little more about Amy!

Name: Amy Nesbitt
Neighborhood: South Bay- Santa Clara
Job: Internal Audit
RT programs/events you’ve participated in: Home-based tutoring

What are your hobbies? I love cooking/eating, tennis, golf, and most other sports. Thankfully my husband shares most of those enjoyable experiences with me!
If you could have dinner with anyone, past or present, who would that person be? Jesus Christ for the person from all time and Audrey Hepburn for someone more recent. The reason for picking Jesus may be more obvious since I am a Christian, but I would also love to have dinner with Audrey Hepburn. I am inspired by her life and want to hear firsthand about her struggles through childhood, the persistence to pursue her dreams in acting, as well as all the people she met and loved during her work with UNICEF.
What is your favorite book? I can't think of one favorite book, but I enjoy reading biographies/autobiographies, and books about successful businesses. I also buy cookbooks from almost every country I visit, so I'm developing quite a collection!
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go, and what would you do? Right now, I would love to go on an eastern Mediterranean cruise that stops at least in Egypt and Israel. I have a goal to visit all the continents (except Antarctica) before I turn 30, and Africa is the last continent I haven't visited, so visiting Egypt would help me meet that goal. I am excited to marvel at the ancient pyramids, as well as dive into all the history in Egypt. In Israel, I look forward to walking in Jesus' footsteps and making stories come alive. Aside from that, I would love to take a safari in Kenya or Tanzania someday!
If you could instantly learn how to do anything, what would that be? I would like to learn to be completely free. That may sound odd since I was born and raised in the US, but I want to be free of selfishness and human expectations. I want to be free from worrying about material desires for myself, status in our culture, what others think about me, where I should be in life, etc. I want to be free to love people as they are, and to give cheerfully and freely of my time and resources.
Who has been the most influential teacher in your life so far? My parents have been the most influential teachers in my life. They were the first to teach me unconditional love, the importance of family, relationships with people, and giving freely. I was born in California, but they made sure that I was still in touch with my Japanese culture/heritage, spoke the language. I can only hope that I am showing other people the kind of love they showed me and passing on the great lessons they taught me!
What has been your favorite/most rewarding moment as a volunteer with RT? It has been eye opening when each of my three students opened up to me about their journey to the US. I was touched that they trusted me with their stories, amazed at what they've been through, and how much joy they have in their lives despite their hardships. Spending time with them gave me a glimpse into three cultures that were new to me and the experiences that made them who they are today.

Make a Gift to Refugee Transitions

2011-12-16T17:00:45Z

A message from Tenley Harrison, our interim executive director:

It has been another amazing year for Refugee Transitions. Our organization and our students have accomplished so much, and none of this would have been possible without the support of our volunteers, donors, and community partners. I personally have had a wonderful experience serving as interim executive director this fall and have been inspired every day by our staff and our clients.

But there is still so much more work to be done, and this holiday season, I would like to ask you to help us continue to carry out our mission by making a year end contribution to Refugee Transitions.

Here are just a few of our achievements from this past year:

- We have expanded our program offerings for adults by adding several classes, including citizenship preparation, job training, and parent education.
- Our adult clients score higher than state averages on their language testing.
- Our growing after-school program at San Francisco International High School has the highest attendance rate out of all after-school programs in the entire city of San Francisco.
- We have a near-perfect school retention rate for the over 200 youth enrolled in our home-based tutoring and mentoring program.

With your gift, we will be able to build on these achievements and work to:

- Launch two new after-school programs at middle schools in Oakland.
- Launch two new after-school programs at high schools in the South Bay.
- Expand our citizenship preparation program.
- Expand our on-site classes for adults and parents.
- Improve our refugee leadership programming for adults and youth.

I hope you will join Refugee Transitions and make a gift that will immediately further our programs for refugee and immigrant families working to succeed in their new homes and communities.

Warm regards,
Tenley Harrison

Volunteer of the Week - Katya Hawks

2011-12-01T18:00:08Z

Katya with her student, MilionTo say we are impressed by Katya's commitment as a volunteer would be an understatement. Katya has been involved with Refugee Transitions for a little over a year, but in that year has spent an incredible amount of time with her students. She started off working with just one student - Sujata - before offering to help Sujata's sister as well (Smriti)! But it doesn't end there. Katya now also works with Milion, a student from Eritrea (pictured). Nothing can stop her from meeting with her students, as you'll hear from her below, she even meets with them in the rain! Thank you so much Katya for sharing your amazing spirit and dedication with Refugee Transitions and Sujata, Smriti, and Milion.

Name: Katya
Neighborhood: I live in Berkeley and tutor in Fruitvale and Lake Merritt
Job: Student and preschool teacher assistant
RT programs/events you’ve participated in: Home-based tutoring

What are your hobbies? Hiking/backpacking, exploring the Bay Area, knitting, reading, organizing/decorating, and of course volunteering!
If you could have dinner with anyone, past or present, who would that person be? Malalai Joya! Joya is an extraordinary Afghan woman activist who speaks out against the war, Afghanistan's corrupt government, and the lack of women's rights in her country. She has taught adults how to read in refugee camps in Iran, and during the time the Taliban was in power she taught secret classes for girls in neighbor's basements.
What is your favorite book? Everybody should read A Woman Among Warlords by Malalai Joya. Also, I love The Poisonwood Bible, A Thousand Splendid Suns, and Tales of a Female Nomad
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go, and what would you do? The first place I would go would be Ukraine to try and find the villages my grandparents lived in before the war. Then I would go to Eritrea, to my student Milion's village of Senafe. She has told me that it is truly a beautiful place, surrounded by gentle brown mountains and has perfect weather. After that it would be India, Nepal, Pakistan, Egypt, Morocco, Italy, and Greece.
If you could instantly learn how to do anything, what would that be? Speak fluent Arabic, Tigrinya, and Ukrainian. It would also be handy to know how to fix computers!
Who has been the most influential teacher in your life so far? I have learned something important from everyone I know!
What has been your favorite/most rewarding moment as a volunteer with RT? Wow, I have had a lot of these! With Sujata and Smriti (ages 14 and 9) there was one time when we walked the whole way around Lake Merritt, made daisy-chain crowns for our hair, and then ate ice cream at the bus stop in the pouring rain and were totally cold and wet but laughed the whole time. On the bus ride home Smriti fell asleep on our laps and then when we had to transfer buses we had to carry her between us and we must have looked pretty silly carrying a nine-year-old girl because some of the old ladies were laughing at us! With my other match, Milion, the most amazing thing has been watching her gain the ability to express herself in English. Learning a new language is the most frustrating thing, but she never stops trying. (It is also amazing to realize how much can be expressed without words!) One of my favorite moments with Milion would probably have to be the time we tried to fry cookie dough in a pan because her oven wasn't working. They didn't come out so great, but we did learn that her fire alarm is in excellent condition!

Volunteer of the Week - Sean Coffey

2011-10-24T19:00:10Z

Sean Coffey has been a volunteer with Refugee Transitions for just over six months. He works with Kanthan (pictured second from the left), a Sri Lankan refugee who came to the U.S. just two years ago and now lives in Oakland. Sean also spends a lot of time with Roshan (pictured far left), who is Kanthan's roommate and attends Oakland International High School. Sean has been a stand-out volunteer since day one, bringing his family together with Kanthan and Roshan to share their cultures, meals, and develop genuine friendships. Thank you so much, Sean, for the commitment and warmth you bring to the Refugee Transitions community! We're incredibly lucky to have you so involved :)

Name: Sean Coffey
Neighborhood: Lake Merritt
Job: Policy Specialist, National Center on Caregiving at Family Caregiver Alliance
RT programs/events you’ve participated in: Home-based tutoring, and I've also attended a volunteer happy hour and went on a field trip with Kanthan, my student, to the Monterey Bay Aquarium

What are your hobbies? Politics, Tennis, Running, Biking, Reading, Skiing
If you could have dinner with anyone, past or present, who would that person be? Elizabeth Warren
What is your favorite book? April Fools Day by Bryce Courtenay
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go, and what would you do? I would like to travel to South Africa and Kenya.
If you could instantly learn how to do anything, what would that be? I have yet to "get up" when I've tried water skiing, so would like to learn that skill instantly.
Who has been the most influential teacher in your life so far? I'd have to say my three siblings. My older brother taught me compassion for others, my older sister has taught me to put myself out of my comfort zone, and my youngest sister has taught me to be a little more adventuresome.
What has been your favorite/most rewarding moment as a volunteer with RT? Sharing meals with Kanthan and Roshan (my student's roommate) and my wife has been one of my favorite activities because we joke around, we learn more about Sri Lankan culture, and he always tries to feed us more food than we can possibly eat.

Volunteer of the Week - Joyce Hahn

2011-09-22T19:00:42Z

Two of Joyce's students, Mian and ChristalJoyce Hahn is one of our superstar volunteers who works with not one or even two, but four students! Joyce first got involved with our home-based program in San Francisco and has been tutoring Mian (pictured left with her daughter, Christal) since July 2010. She eventually started tutoring Christal as well, who is a stellar student at San Francisco International High School. Most recently, in July of this year, Joyce began working with a married couple originally from Liberia - Robert and Lucy - as part of our new Refugee Citizenship Project. Once a week, she meets Robert and Lucy in Oakland to help them prepare for the U.S. citizenship exam. Thank you Joyce for dedicating so much of your time and energy to your students - you have really gone above and beyond!

Name: Joyce Hahn
Neighborhood: Outer Richmond
Job: Foundation Programs Coordinator
RT programs/events you’ve participated in: Home-based tutoring for adults; Refugee Citizenship Project

What are your hobbies? Reading, hiking, snowboarding, eating food!, cooking, exploring, travelling internationally.
If you could have dinner with anyone, past or present, who would that person be? My mom or Hillary Clinton.
What is your favorite book? Laughable Loves by Milan. Kundera and The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare.
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go, and what would you do? Peru to see Macchu Pichu and hike the trails and Brazil in 2016 for the World Cup, Summer Olympics and Carnaval all in one 6-month period.
If you could instantly learn how to do anything, what would that be? I'd learn how to be an engineer and invent products to help communities use the environment to meet their needs.
Who has been the most influential teacher in your life so far? My high school US history teacher - he made me see that learning was more than just memorization...although memorization still goes a long way!
What has been your favorite/most rewarding moment as a volunteer with RT? I like the little moments so eating dinner with my tutees while practicing vocabulary or simple conversations while we wait for my bus to arrive.