Madeline Corderman

The Family Welcome Program, a partnership between local organizations, seeks to address accessibility barriers to English language-learning for refugee families by providing services such as childcare and transportation. Between the Stalnaker Boys and Girls Club, the International Institute of Southwest Missouri (IISM), Missouri State University’s English Language Institute (ELI), and Springfield Public Schools (SPS), the Welcome Program has been able to provide facilities transportation, quality instructors and caretakers, and communication and enrollment of students, respectively. With sixteen hours of classroom time per week, students are working toward the English skills needed to secure employment. Language-learning, however, is not the only goal of the program. It has also made a point to educate students about the city bus system and provide winter coats from a clothing bank, thus connecting the families with local resources.

Creating more connections with the community would greatly benefit the Welcome Program If you are interested in volunteering for the Newcomer Family Welcome Program, you can contact Jennifer via her email at JenniferJohnston@MissouriState.edu for more information.