NEWSLETTER
SPRING | 2013
PROSPECT
PARK
New Americans Welcome Center
INTERMEDIATE STUDENT
STUDENTS SHARE A TASTE OF HOME
OME
Class Cookbook a Labor of Love
By Sharon J. Gintzler (ESL
(ESL Instructor)
When I proposed the idea of creating
a class cookbook to our intermediate
students, they were eager to provide
traditional recipes from their
countries. My suggestion had been
inspired by the bounty of delectable
ethnic cuisines prepared by our
students at the NAWC annual Spring
Event. The event is just one of the
many ways in which the Prospect Park
YMCA encourages our students to
participate in extracurricular
activities, as they strive for cultural
proficiency.
Our students are linked by the shared
goal of fostering the skills needed to
make life better for themselves and
their families. They also take pride in
their culture. Our cookbook not only
celebrates that pride, but connects
people of such diverse lands as
Uzbekistan, Brazil, Yemen and Italy.
Our project promises to be a savory
potpourri. Enrique Valdez of Mexico
describes authentic barbecue –
cooking in a pit dug in the ground.
pg 2
WE ARE ELLIS ISLAND: ENGAGING
WITH OUR IMMIGRANT HERITAGE
Laura Gonzales and Ana Mendoza, who
hail from Peru, tell us how to make,
respectively, healthy quinoa salad and
ceviche. “Quinoa is originally from
Peru and the surrounding areas,” Laura
says proudly.
Raul Rodriguez, an anthropology
student from Bolivia, talks about
charkekan, a traditional dish of the
Aymara ethnic group, made with mote
(boiled corn), potatoes, cheese, boiled
egg, and dried llama meat (you m
may
substitute other kinds of meat). “I like
to cook and to try different dishes in
neighborhoods all over NY,” says Raul.
“It’s my hobby.”
Luz Ramirez of Columbia offers her
recipe for bu
buñuelos (fried cheese
biscuits), and Oleg Shin of Uzbekistan
discusses manti, cumin
cumin-scented,
steamed beef dumplings. Alice Ferri of
Italy shares the secrets behind a
perfect tiramisu. Perhaps Nelci Soares
dos Santos of Brazil, who gives us her
recipe for pão de queijo, a traditional
cheese bread, sums it up best when
she says, “When I make this, I think of
my country.”
The NAWC at the Prospect Park
YMCA provides our students with a
safe haven where they can preserve
their ethnic identities, while
acclimating
g to the community at large.
NYU’s LITERACY REVIEW
HONORS STUDENT POET
For the fifth consecutive year, the
Gallatin School at New York University
has selected student work from the
Prospect Park YMCA New Americans
Welcome Center for publication in its
journal The Literacy Review.
A class assignment inspired Ruth
Garcia, a student in the NAWC's
Computer Literacy class, to write her
poem "TWO," a lively meditation on the
experience of being a twin.
"This honor could not have
happened to a better person,"
person said
Computer Literacy Instructor Christine
Randall. "This
This is wonderful recognition
for the NAWC and for the Computer
Literacy/Job
iteracy/Job Readiness program."
pg 3
pg 4
TIME TO BUILD NEW FRIENDSHIPS
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: CAREER GOALS
SPRING BRINGS OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE
BACK TO THE YMCA
BEGINNERS ESL AT THE NEW
AMERICANS WELCOME CENTER
WE ARE ELLIS
ISLAND:
ENGAGING WITH OUR
IMMIGRANT HERITAGE
S
Screening of Award-Winning
Documentary Brings History to Life
During Immigrant Heritage Week
“Tens of millions of us have relatives who came this way, sat in this room, part of the largest migration in
history. Of the many who came, some were turned away. But even they would leave part of themselves in
America, to remind us why they had come so far.” - Island of Hope, Island of Tears
Although the Ellis Island Immigration
Museum is currently closed to the public
following Hurricane Sandy, that hasn't
stopped National Park Ranger Peter
Wong from sharing his passion for the
history of the island and the millions of
immigrants whose lives in America
began on its shores.
On April 22nd, the New Americans
Welcome Center partnered with the
National Park Service to bring a piece of
Ellis Island history directly to the Park
Slope Armory YMCA, where it hosted a
film screening and discussion with
Ranger Wong in celebration of New
York City's Immigrant Heritage Week.
U.S. inspectors examining the eyes
of immigrants, Ellis Island
Library of Congress
2
Prior to showing the documentary
Island of Hope, Island of Tears, Ranger
Wong encouraged students to reflect
on the experiences that immigrants
would have encountered during the
course of their entry to the United
States. In order to illustrate the medical
examinations that took place on Ellis
Island during the early 1900s, Mr.
Wong pulled out a "buttonhook "– a tool
that was used to inspect immigrants'
eyes for evidence of the infectious
disease trachoma – and described how
inspectors would make chalk marks on
immigrants' garments to denote the
results of their physical inspections.
Oral history narratives from Island of
Hope, Island of Tears provided
additional perspective on the sights,
sounds, and sensations that
accompanied immigrants during their
voyages to the U.S., from the
discomforts of a ship passage in
steerage, where passengers were
surrounded by throbbing engines and
the smell of spoiling food, to memorable
first glimpses of the Statue of Liberty
and the New York City skyline.
Students at the New Americans
Welcome Center used the occasion to
reflect on the similarities and
differences between immigration
journeys past and present.
"It was very interesting to know
about this experience," said
Intermediate ESL student Laura
Gonzales. "I feel sad about some of the
things I saw in the video. Now I would
like to be able to visit Ellis Island one
day."
STUDENT
STUDENT
SPOTLIGHT:
CAREER GOALS
Raquel Rivera knows what it
means to persevere. She
persevered through the
difficult years after coming to
the United States, accepting
jobs in factory work and retail
despite her training as an
accountant in Mexico. She
persevered through the
challenges of supporting two
children as a single mother.
And she persevered through
many years of living on an
economic razor’s edge, facing
the frustrations of being
passed over for pay raises at
work and denied for food
stamps and subsidized
healthcare because her income
fell just over eligibility limits.
After she joined the New
Americans Welcome Center’s
Computer Literacy class and
job support group in the fall of
2011, Raquel gradually gained
the confidence to focus on her
career goals. “I wanted to feel
financially secure. I wanted to
support my children and see
them graduate from college,”
she says.
Equipped with a positive
outlook and the
encouragement of her NAWC
support group, Raquel
decided to pursue her interest
in cooking, and she applied for
a job in food services at the
New York City Department of
Education. Raquel was hired
and began training for her new
position at the end of 2012.
Now she is savoring the fruits
of her perseverance: career
satisfaction and a newfound
sense of economic stability
for her family.
Time to Build New Friendships
“Just sitting amongst people from
so many different backgrounds –
there’s something genuinely warm
about it.” – Laurenda Lynch
During an average week at the New
Americans Welcome Center, each student
spends six to twelve hours of class time
focused on educational goals such as learning
English vocabulary, preparing for the
citizenship exam, or mastering knowledge of
Microsoft Office software. On February 13th,
NAWC students and staff members gathered in
pursuit of a very different set of goals: to eat,
drink, and enjoy the party.
Like other community events at the New 3
Americans Welcome Center, the annual
Friendship Day Celebration provided an
opportunity to take time out from the
demands of work, school, and daily life.
Children participated in face painting, and
adults shared conversation and sampled from
a tantalizing array of ethnic foods and
desserts.
But the evening was about more than just
relaxation. Because the Friendship Day event
brought together students, staff, and
family members from each of the NAWC’s
three program sites, it facilitated
connections between participants who
might not otherwise have the chance to
meet.
For Laurenda Lynch, a student in the
New Americans Welcome Center’s
Advanced Lab computer workshop, the
Friendship Day Celebration provided time
to concentrate on the value of meeting
new people.
“I totally enjoyed myself. You see the
benefits beyond what you just learned in
class. You foster a love of community
when you participate in events like this.”
NAWC Students and Staff Celebrate
Friendship Day
Spring Brings Opportunities to Give Back to
the YMCA
Rebeca Sosa is one among 14 students at
the New Americans Welcome Center who have
passed their citizenship exams in 2013. She is
also a proud advocate for the program that
gave her access to Citizenship Prep classes
free of charge.
On April 27th, Rebeca and nine other NAWC
students volunteered their time during the
annual Healthy Kids Day event at the Park
Slope Armory YMCA. As families and
community members browsed information
about YMCA programs and community
services, NAWC student volunteers distributed
flyers and engaged participants in conversation
about the NAWC’s free ESL, Citizenship Prep,
and Computer Literacy classes.
At Healthy Kids Day and other community
events, NAWC student volunteers provide
valuable outreach by sharing their
experiences in the program and spreading
awareness of what the YMCA has to offer.
“I thank the YMCA for helping me
achieve my goals,” says Rebeca, who
passed her citizenship exam in April and
is currently studying for her GED. “Now I
can tell others about these classes.”
Staff and Volunteers at Healthy Kids Day
YMCA New Americans Initiative
5 West 63rd Street; 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10023
(212) 875-4336
4336
www.ymcanewamericans.org
Beginners ESL at the New Americans Welcome Center
By Amanda Phulesar (ESL Instructor)
It has been my honor and dedication
to teach Beginner ESL class for the last
five months at the Prospect Park YMCA
New Americans Welcome Center.
Upon entering my first day of class, I
was immediately impressed by the warm
smiles of my students and the vibrant
atmosphere of anticipation as students
sat patiently, eager to learn English.
Beginner ESL class is a true “melting
pot.” Students are of all age ranges, and
they come from a variety of different
cultural, ethnic, social, and economic
backgrounds. I admire their willingness
to sacrifice their time from Monday to
Thursday for three hours per class, even
when they may face challenges in their
personal lives. However, at the end of
the day, they all have one achievement in
common: improving their literacy skills in
English.
I always look forward to teaching
students in Beginner ESL class. I love
creating lesson plans that involve
interactive collaboration and promote
whole
whole-class discussion. Each day,
students learn new vocabulary words
and practice their pronunciation. They
also learn basic grammar and literacy
skills
skills, including interpersonal skills.
During class, students are highly
motivated to learn
learn. I emphasize the
importance of active participation and
students assist one another or ask me if
they need clarification
clarification. Students often
reach outside of the lesson plan to
extend their education. I always tell
them, “Do not be shy to ask questions,
because the more questions you ask, the
more you learn!”
One day, I asked the students, “How
has this class changed your life?” Ma
Many
students responded with smiles on their
faces. They felt that they were able to
Bronx YMCA New Americans Welcome
Center at Glebe Senior Center
2125 Glebe Ave. Bronx NY 10462
Flushing YMCA New Americans Welcome
Center at the Flushing YMCA Branch
138-46
46 Northern Blvd., Flushing, NY 11354
Ruben Arce, NAWC Program
Coordinator [email protected]
917-673-8688
Kathy Liu, NAWC Program Coordinator
[email protected] 718-961-6880, ext.123
Tania Alor, NAWC Counselor
[email protected] 917-721-0748
Grace Kim,, NAWC Counselor
[email protected] 718-961-6880, ext.
121
Chinatown YMCA New Americans
Welcome enter at the Chinatown YMCA
Beacon Center
100 Hester Street, New York, NY
10002
Harlem YMCA New Americans Welcome
Center at the Harlem YMCA Outreach Center
(Family Welcome Center #1)
2627 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., New
York, NY 10039
Jie Ling Chen, NAWC Program
Coordinator [email protected]
212-219-8393
Thalia Kwok, NAWC Program Coordinator
[email protected] 212-690-4024
Stephanie Chan, NAWC Counselor
[email protected] 212-219-8393
Terita Givens, NAWC / Lit Zone Partnership
Coordinator, [email protected]
212-690-4024
communicate more effectively with their
children’s teachers, their co-workers
co
and
bosses, and their doctors. Before they
came to the YMCA, daily communication
was more difficult for them. They
resorted to shaking their heads to
answer yes or no,
no or to replying with
simple, one--word responses. Now, they
can listen, respond, and formulate
questions effectively,
effectively and they use all
the skills they learned in Beginner
Beginn ESL
class to improve their daily lives.
The New Americans Welcome Center
at the Prospect Park YMCA has greatly
impacted students’
students lives. The quality of
services at the YMCA not only touch
students’ lives,
lives but also gives students a
renewed sense of hope that they can
reach their ambitions in life. I look
forward for teaching future students and
helping them achieve their goal to learn
English!
Abraham Magana, NAWC / Lit Zone Ed.
Case Manager,
[email protected]
212-690-4024
Prospect Park YMCA New Americans
Welcome Center at the Prospect Park
YMCA Branch
357 9th St., Brooklyn, NY 11215
Nabila Khan, NAWC Program
Coordinator, [email protected]
212-912-2375
Joanna Zant, NAWC Counselor
[email protected] 212-912-2378
Staten Island YMCA New Americans
Welcome Center at the Staten Island
YMCA Counseling Center
285 Vanderbilt Ave., Staten Island,
NY 10304
Rachael Rinaldo, NAWC Program
Coordinator, [email protected]
718-981-4382, ext. 17
Regina Marks, NAWC Program
Counselor, [email protected]
718-981-4382, ext. 15
ELESAIR Project at the
Association Office
5 West 63rd St., New York, NY
10023
Dio Gica, Program Manager
[email protected]
212-875-4336
Lorna Blancaflor,
Program Coordinator
[email protected]
212-875-4345