Austin’s World Refugee Day celebration took place this past Saturday at the Bob Bullock Museum. English at Work students, teachers, and staff  enjoyed great food and entertainment while meeting people from all over the world. Thank you to the museum, the Multicultural Refugee Coalition, Caritas, AAIM, and Refugee Services of Texas for hosting such a colorful and welcoming event.

Take a peek at the festivities here. Thanks to our student, Gopal, for snapping some of these photos!

Between singing, dancing, and a chance at winning the raffle, World Refugee Day kept us all on the edge of our seats.

With karaoke for the adults and face painting for the kids (and some adults too), everyone got in on the fun.

A brave audience member jumped on stage to learn a Nepali dance, but it looks like he got a little turned around!

Two of our students wore traditional Burmese dresses for the fashion show. Here they are getting ready for the catwalk.

Our photographer finally took a turn on the other side of the camera for a shot with two of his friends. Thanks again, Gopal!

Please visit www.unhcr.org for more information about refugee issues.

It’s that time again; time to pop the top off a bottle of champagne and celebrate the successes of another month. All students, teachers, volunteers, and friends of English at Work are welcome to drop by the office this Friday between 3:30 and 5 o’clock to share a toast with us.

Between welcoming our new Program and Development Assistant, Kassie Navarro, into the office and kick starting recruitment for an Americorps VISTA volunteer, May has been a busy month for English at Work. 

English at Work will provide the bubbly in exchange for hearing a success story of your own. We look forward to seeing you this Friday, the 28th in Suite 227 at 3710 Cedar Street. Salud!

Employees from University Medical Center Brackenridge celebrated the completion of their first course with E@W on May 20th. Come and see what other accomplishments we'll be honoring this Friday!

English at Work is pleased to introduce Kassie Navarro, our new Program and Development Assistant. Kassie is a recent graduate of St. Edward’s University with degrees in both Communication and Global Studies. Her experience in development comes from previous work with Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation and current volunteer work with Discover Hope Fund, a local nonprofit. 

In her own words, Kassie shares the story that led her to English at Work:

“I first saw an English at Work class in action when I worked in retail on South Congress. A group of students and their teacher had taken a field trip to the store where I worked in order to have conversations with employees from other businesses.

“I could see that it was a scary undertaking for the students, but their teacher gave them the encouragement they needed to improve their English skills and increase their confidence at the same time. As someone who grew up in a bilingual home, I know firsthand that the more confidence I have in my language skills, the easier it is to speak my second language.

“From my point of view, English at Work really helps to ‘level the playing field’ and give individuals access to opportunities they would not have otherwise. If I can be a small part of someone’s journey toward their goals, then all the more reason to continue my work of spreading English at Work’s mission.”

Kassie’s warm personality and passion for nonprofit work have been wonderful additions to English at Work. Welcome, Kassie!

Before we put the cork on yet another month, let’s celebrate all of April’s accomplishments with good friends and a glass of something bubbly. Please join us in English at Work’s office this Friday, April 30th from 3:30 to 5 o’clock as we toast recent highlights within our community.  

From starting classes with the Seton Family of Hospitals to one of our own volunteers becoming a Fulbright scholar, April has been full of exciting events. We can’t wait to hear what good things you all have been up to during the past month.

English at Work will provide the champagne and sparkling cider. All you have to do is come to Suite 227 at 3710 Cedar Street ready to raise your glasses. Cheers!

Champagne Friday in March brought old friends and a new baby to the office. Come and see who you'll meet this time!

This spring, English at Work launches the Accelerator Project, a strategic growth plan that will have a deep impact on families across the state of Texas by 2020.

The goals of the Project are to reach more hard-working employees and to serve them better over the next ten years. Helping these employees increase their English proficiency will allow them to advance at work, better support their children’s education, and move their families out of poverty.

During the first year of the project, English at Work’s Board of Directors and staff will dedicate most of their time to creating the growth plan. The plan will go into effect in early 2011. In March, the Kellogg Foundation joined a list of early local supporters of the Accelerator Project. The $25,000 Kellogg award will go toward staff salaries as well as program and administrative expenses over the next 12 months.

Established in 1930, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation supports children, families and communities as they strengthen and create conditions that propel vulnerable children to achieve success as individuals and as contributors to the larger community and society. Grants are concentrated in the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean, and southern Africa.

Since 2006, English at Work has partnered with Caritas to provide work-based language instruction to newly-arrived Cuban refugees. Many of these individuals come to the U.S. with professional degrees. However, because of the language barrier, it is difficult for them to find work in their field. In 2003, the New Immigrants Survey found that around 60 per cent of immigrants experienced an occupational downgrade when they moved to the U.S.

Fortunately, this was not the case for Osmany Moncada. Osmany arrived in Austin in August 2009. Originally from Cuba, Osmany worked as a Specialist in Animal Quarantine Services in his home country before moving to Djibouti, in East Africa, where he worked for the Director of the Livestock Department for a few months before moving to Austin.

Osmany working in Djibouti

Osmany is very happy with his job at Banfield, where he says he is learning a lot. His coworkers are “very friendly, very, very professional.” He feels the same way about Austin. “The city is very quiet, very safe, very friendly,” he says, adding, “I didn’t like the winter.”

We are proud of what Osmany has accomplished and wish him warm, sunny days from now on.

Thanks to all who came out and enjoyed our Holiday Party, especially the teachers, volunteers, and board who make this organization great.

Thanks to all who came out, participated, and volunteered. The night was a great success in every way. We filled all our trivia team table, everyone had a great time, and we met our fundraising goal of $6000. Can’t wait for next year!

Maile tells everyone about the important work English at Work is doing in Austin.

Our MC David did a great job.

Bekah and Chrysy running registration.

The winning team: The Daddy Warbucks.

Thank you to our sponsors and partners:
Professional Janitorial Services
Sam’s Club
Guero’s Taco Bar
Blake Magee Company
Seton
Law Office of Tom Esparza
Tacodeli
Anderson’s Coffee

Sponsorships are still available! Contact maile@austinenglish.org for more information.