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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why was SHINE started?
Project SHINE was launched 1997 in response to legislation that jeopardized the public benefits of legally immigrated non-citizens. As social safety nets for non-citizens remain tenuous, naturalization for elderly immigrants continues to be an urgent need. Project SHINE links the resources of universities and community colleges with the resources of local community organizations to form partnerships that work with elder refugees and immigrants as they pursue greater fluency in English and full citizenship.
2. Why is tutoring elders for their citizenship exam so important?
Immigrants and refugees generally must be in the USA legally for five years before taking the citizenship exam. After these five years, a legal immigrant generally has two years to pass the exam and become a citizen before being removed from all social service programs. Thus, if a 58 year old woman from Mexico moves to the USA with her children and establishes legal residency she may be eligible for programs such as food stamps and Medicaid. However, if she fails to obtain her citizenship by the time she is 65 (7 years later), she will be removed from these programs and lose these benefits. Thus, it is crucial for immigrants to obtain their citizenship, particularly older immigrants who often utilize these important social services and programs.
3. What special challenges do elders face in the citizenship process?
Older immigrants face particular obstacles in their quest for citizenship. Elder learners may experience difficulties learning English because of changes in memory, vision, hearing and mobility that cannot be accommodated in overcrowded ESL (English as a Second Language) or citizenship classes. Without a basic knowledge of English immigrant elders experience barriers to full participation in society as U.S. citizens. Additionally, older immigrants are often deeply embedded in their own cultures and languages. They often remain at home or rely on cultural and language mediators in their families to help them in the manage life in America. Due to the challenges of aging and their location in their own cultural communities, elders face unique and significant challenges in the citizenship process.
4. How can I participate in SHINE? Whom should I contact?
There are a number of different volunteer possibilities with Project SHINE. Volunteers may serve as one-on-one coaches, teacher’s assistants, lead tutors and site coordinators. To find out more about SHINE or to sign up to volunteer contact either:
Lauren Henricksen
Emory University
Office of University-Community Partnerships
Phone: 404.712.8139
Email: ltenhar@learnlink.emory.edu
Angela Maria Bonet
Georgia Perimeter College
Project Coordinator
Phone: 678-891-3449
Email: abonet@gpc.edu
5. Is there a SHINE Orientation or a Training Session? Does SHINE provide all the
training materials?
Yes, every volunteer is required to attend a SHINE Orientation, which is held near the beginning of each semester for approximately 2-3 hours generally on a Thursday and a Saturday. SHINE provides training material for the day as well as binder of resources that volunteers can take with them to aid them in their English and citizenship tutoring.
6. What does a person have to do to pass the citizenship exam?
After meeting prerequisites for legal residency and other matters, a person must schedule an interview online at a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office. The interviewer will ask the applicant several questions in order to ascertain their English abilities and suitability for citizenship. Applicants will also be asked to answer questions from a list of 100 topics regarding American history and government. If applicants pass the exam they will be scheduled for an oath ceremony (which may take some time). Applicants must show up for the ceremony, answer a few questions about their activities since the time of their interview and then take the oath which inducts them as naturalized citizens.
7. What community organizations are currently working with SHINE Atlanta?
SHINE Atlanta is currently working with the Clarkston Community Center (www.clarkstoncommunitycenter.org ), 3 Dekalb Technical College sites: the Buford Highway Center, Starnes Center, and Clarkston International Bible Church (www.dekalktech.edu), and Boat People SOS (/www.bpsos.org/offices/Atlanta). You are encouraged to visit the websites of these community organizations to find out more information about them.
8. What ethnic/national/language groups are SHINE tutors working with in Atlanta?
SHINE tutors are currently working with elder learners from Mexico, a variety of Central American countries, Somalia, Ethiopia, Vietnam, and many other countries.
9. Do I have to know a foreign language to work with SHINE?
No you do not. All instruction is done in English. Of course, we welcome students who speak other languages, especially languages spoken by the learners.
10. I am not sure if I know how to tutor elderly immigrants/refugees. What training will I receive?
The SHINE Orientation provides background information about the immigrant and refugee populations in Atlanta as well as special challenges faced by older learners. It also provides hands-on training and materials for English as a Second Language instruction and the citizenship exam.
11. Does SHINE provide transportation to community sites? If I carpool, does SHINE
provide compensation?
Project SHINE Atlanta currently does not provide transportation to community sites. However, Emory students who carpool are eligible to be reimbursed for their mileage. Please contact the Office of University-Community Partnerships for more information at 404-712-9893 or oucp@emory.edu .
12. What are the terms and length of my commitment for participating in SHINE?
At a minimum, volunteers must commit to a 2 hour block at the same time and location for 10 weeks in a row during the course of a regular semester. Of course, you are welcome to extend your weekly time commitment or serve for more than one semester. We welcome back previous volunteers and are always looking for qualified volunteers to increase their responsibilities and leadership with SHINE.
13. Do I have to volunteer for the same two hour block of time every week?
Yes, this provides continuity at the site and enables you to develop a rapport with the teachers and learners that you are working with from week to week. This facilitates better experiences and learning among all the participants.
14. Can I volunteer with more than one community site?
Yes, but then you must commit to a 2 hour block per week for 10 weeks at BOTH sites. You may not divide the 2 hour block or the 10 weeks between two different sites.
15. How can SHINE be a part of my academic coursework?
Many professors at Emory and GPC allow students to incorporate SHINE as a service-learning component in their classes. It is often connected to course content or research projects. Students are encouraged to seek out such classes and contact professors before the semester begins to confirm the possibility of working with SHINE as part of the class. A list of courses that can incorporate SHINE at Emory may be obtained from the Office of University-Community Partnerships (404-712-9893 or oucp@emory.edu ).
16. How can SHINE be part of my internship?
Working with Project SHINE fits quite well with a variety of disciplinary internships, and more and more professors are aware of the role of SHINE in internships. As with any internship, the student’s participation in SHINE is usually arranged and approved with the professor and the community site before the internship semester.
17. Can I be paid for working with Project SHINE?
There are a limited number of work-study positions available with SHINE. Please contact the appropriate person listed in Question 2 to find out more information.
18. Is any SHINE information available online?
Yes, information and helpful links can be found on this website (www.projectshineatlanta.org ). Further information about SHINE, other SHINE sites and more resources can be found at the central SHINE website www.projectshine.org.
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