Now What Did We Do Exactly?
I wonder how many of you can relate to the feeling of “what do I have to show for all this energy I’ve just spent and the work that I’ve done!?” Earlier this year I was feeling just that. We had just completed 2 ½ years’ work on a federal ORR grant with a variety of partners. It certainly felt like it kept us busy, and I was pretty sure we had accomplished at least a few things. But, after having moved back into our space at the Rialto, the transition left me wondering what we actually had to show for all of the time and energy we had spent during those 2 ½ years.
So, hoping that I’d be able to account for something, I sat down and started making a list of all that we at TRP had been part of and/or accomplished. I have to say that while I am always able to find areas where improvements can be made, I did end up feeling a sense of satisfaction regarding our accomplishments.
The following represents the list that I made:
· Collaborated with multiple partners on fulfilling the objectives of the ORR grant (St Joseph Community Health Foundation, Catholic Charities, EACS, Ivy Tech, Burmese Advocacy Center)
· Facilitated the collaborative training with Ivy Tech of ENL volunteer teachers- appx 55 people completed this training, some of whom volunteer through TRP, and others who volunteer with other area organizations and churches
· Coordinated an ENL Provider community roster, with the help of others who have tracked down and shared a lot of information - it’s published each quarter, consisting of 16+ groups, and is posted on the City of Fort Wayne’s website http://www.cityoffortwayne.org/hispanic-immigrant-liaison/hispanic-immigrant-community-links.html (thanks Palermo!)
· Coordinated an area ENL Provider Network which typically meets once a month throughout the school year and shares a variety of information with each other as needed (this is such a great group of people—and Network-wide, we were able to account for over 600 ENL students registered in programs predominantly operated by volunteers! … and we know there are even more students than we counted)
· Provided orientation and training to volunteers and community groups related to refugee matters (including CANI, Jr and Sr High School classes and groups, St Francis RN students, an IPFW extended education class, church groups, TRP volunteers, and others)
· Participated in multiple community groups and meetings (you all know who you are— it’s great having so many comrades in this effort! –give yourself a pat on the back for all of your work!)
· Partnered with the local World Relief resettlement office to implement and support the Circle of Friends program of volunteer engagement with newly resettled families
· Partnered with others to coordinate multiple ENL sites for English instruction to refugee adults in people’s homes and communities; working with ethnic leaders and organizations, apartment managers, host families, and volunteers
· Hosted and coordinated multiple Round Table meetings for volunteer teachers, where they shared encouragement, support, ideas, and information (one of my favorite events- I love our volunteers!)
· Networked with other non-profits and employees of agencies in order to coordinate efforts in addressing educational and skill-set needs of adult refugees (such as with our friends at the Rudisill Plaza Building)
· Assisted with coordinating & facilitating the Community Empowerment Forums at Catherine Kasper Place, which produced a binder of information and resources for those working with refugees in the Fort Wayne community (this will also be made available online in coming weeks—let us know if you’re interested in obtaining this information)
· Established a TRP English curriculum resource & materials library for any volunteer working with refugee populations in Fort Wayne
· Met so many new colleagues and friends as a result of all of these meetings and efforts! We’ve learned and gained so much in the process.
Yes, the phrase ‘death by meeting’ may carry some truth, depending on a few things (like whether or not anything good comes out of the time spent in the meeting). But in most cases, during this time, I am able to identify multiple outcomes that produced something life-giving to the refugee community we exist to honor and support. “Thank You” to everyone who has been on this journey with us over the last 2 ½ years!
A special ‘shout-out’ to all of the ethnic community organizers and advocates who work tirelessly to provide support and assistance to those who have begun to Reclaim their lives in this new land. We admire your commitment and appreciate your friendship.
So, I guess we do have a few things to show for the time and work that was invested. Now, why do I feel worn out again? I vote that we all take a vacation.
-Angie
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