Hogar Immigrant Services ESL E-Nunciations

IN THIS ISSUE:

Amy's Ramblings
Education Updates
Legal Updates
Social Services Updates
Tip of the Month
Volunteer Spotlight
December's Vignette
Support Hogar
Giving Thanks
Bits and Pieces

Hogar Staff:

John Odenwelder
Program Director
jodenwelder@ccda.net

Education Services:

Amy White
Group Manager
awhite@ccda.net, x235

Kristen Gasimov
Manager/ Office Manager
kgasimov@ccda.net, x249

Diana Gibson
Manager
dgibson@ccda.net, x239

Erin Maradiegue
Manager
emaradiegue@ccda.net, x251

Jorge Membreño
Manager
jmembreno@ccda.net, x231

Sheila Sullivan
Manager
ssullivan@ccda.net, x238

Phil Spencer
Manager
pspencer@ccda.net, x243

Legal Services:

Michelle Sardone
Group Manager
msardone@ccda.net

Cindy Brown
Paralegal
cbrown@ccda.net, x227

Nancy Carbajal
Receptionist
ncarbajal@ccda.net

Maria Cutipa
Intake Coordinator
mcutipa@ccda.net

Dan Macguire
Staff Attorney
dmacguire@ccda.net

Patty Mueller
Staff Attorney
pmueller@ccda.net

Enrique Vargas
Paralegal
evargas@ccda.net

Social Services Department:

Dawn Dumas
Manager
ddumas@ccda.net,
703-443-2481

Hogar Immigrant Services
6201 Leesburg Pike
Suite 307
Falls Church, VA 22044
(T) 703-534-9805
(F) 703-534-9809
www.ccda.net

If you would like to have this newsletter sent to a different e-mail address or if you would like to unsubscribe from the mailing list, please e-mail emaradiegue@ccda.net.

Amy's Ramblings

Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.
~Washington Irving

Seasons Greetings friends of Hogar! As holiday music fills the air (well actually, it’s filled the air since Halloween), mad rushes to the mall are had, Christmas parties abound, and gatherings with friends and family are plentiful, Hogar wishes you the very best during this joyous season.

The Christmas spirit was truly captured last Friday evening as the Western Regional Office held its first annual Christmas benefit to raise money for the hungry of Loudoun County. It was a magical night of musical talents – Bobby Jasinski,law student and Hogar legal intern, showed off his piano playing skills; Jorge Membreño, Diana Gibson and Cindy Brown lent their vocal talents; and Dawn Dumas, Social Services Manager at the Western Regional Office managed the entire event. If you missed this special concert – do not fear! Not only can you come next year, but you can still help the needy in our communities. Please consider donating to Hogar this Christmas season as the worsening economy continues to hurt those most in need. See below to find out how you can contribute to Hogar!

It saddens me to write that longstanding Hogar employee Phil Spencer, will be leaving the organization. After more than four outstanding years of service in the Eduation Services department, Phil is going on to pursue a Masters degree in Education. I guess we can’t blame him. I’m not sure I can imagine a Hogar world without Phil but I have a feeling he might be back as a volunteer.

On a brighter note, we are delighted to welcome Katie Mathews to the Hogar family! Katie’s energy and cheery disposition are truly a blessing. You can read more about our newest staff member and find out what she misses most from California in the Education Updates!

Have a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year! See you all in 2009!

Abrazos,

Amy White
Group Manager, Education Services

Education Updates

A Farewell Note From Hogar Veteran Phil Spencer
Sadly, December 19, 2008 will be my last day at Hogar Immigrant Services. In September I went back to school and began working to get my Masters in Secondary Education at The George Washington University, taking two classes there while reducing my time here at Hogar to halftime. In January I will once again be a fulltime student.

It has been an honor and a privilege to work with all of you, staff and volunteers alike, over the past four years. In that time, I have seen many friends come and go, and have watched our program become one of the largest in the state. You should all feel very proud, as I do, of the services you provide and the work we accomplish, whether it be in the classroom, at Naturalization workshops, or in any number of other countless things that help to make our organization one of the best.

Your gracious giving of time and energy is inspirational, and has helped me realize what I want to do for the rest of my life. I will, of course, be an English as a Second Language teacher!

Thank you all so much for your love and support. I truly feel that I will always have a home with Hogar.

Sincerely,

Phil Spencer

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Meet The Newest Member Of The Education Services Department

Katie Mathews, who joined Hogar Immigrant Services at the start of December 2008, is psyched to work with ESOL volunteers and students. As a native Californian who spent her high school years in Washington, DC, Katie loves both coasts equally (although she misses the 99-cent margaritas in her college town in Southern California). She is also a huge fan of Latin America after spending time abroad as a health worker in Honduras and a student at la Universidad de Chile in…Chile. After graduating from Pomona College in 2007 with a double major in Spanish and sociology, Katie returned to DC to research immigration policy at the Urban Institute, a think tank. While her first job post-college allowed her to interview immigrants, she missed working with and interacting with them every day. Luckily, she found Hogar and the rest is history! In her free time, Katie loves to run (and is very slowly training for a marathon), sing karaoke (especially if the song choices include Pat Benatar) and watch horribly embarrassing television shows.

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Calling All Photographers!
If any volunteers have pictures from their end-of-semester parties that you would like to share with Hogar, please send them to Erin Maradiegue at emaradiegue@ccda.net. ______________________________________

Announcing Hogar's Spring 2009 Class Schedule!
The Education Services Department is excited to present it's spring schedule! We have a great semester ahead! Spread the word to anyone you know who would like to improve their English!

Citizenship preparation classes are now available in Falls Church and Sterling. For registration information, please see below.

If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering to teach English language classes at any of our below locations, please contact Sheila Sullivan at ssullivan@ccda.net or call (703) 534-9805 x 238. Volunteers will teach just one class a week. Training and materials are provided. No second language is required!

**Alexandria/Arlington**
St. Rita's Church 3815 Russell Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22305 Levels: Basic, Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Registration: Tuesday, Thursday, January 13 and 15, 7 – 9 pm; Sunday, January 18, 2:45 - 4:45 pm Classes: Tuesday and Thursday, 7 – 9 pm	St. Charles Borromeo Church 3304 Washington Boulevard, Arlington, Va 22201 Levels: Beginner, Intermediate Registration: Sunday, January 18, 2 - 4 pm Classes: Sunday, 2:30 - 4:30 pm

**Fairfax County**
Hogar Immigrant Services 6201 Leesburg Pike, Suite 310, Falls Church, Virginia 22044 Levels: Basic, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Citizenship Registration: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, January 12, 13, and 14, 10 am or 6 – 8 pm Classes: Monday - Thursday (4 Days) 9 – 10:30 am, 6 – 7:30 pm, 7:30 – 9 pm	St. Anthony of Padua's Church 3305 Glen Carlyn Road, Falls Church, Virginia 22041 Levels: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Registration: Saturday, January 31, 10 – 12 pm Classes: Saturday, 10 am – 12 pm
St. Joseph's Church 750 Peachtree Street, Herndon, Virginia 20170 Levels: Beginner and Intermediate Registration: Wed. & Thurs., January 21 & 22, 7 - 9 pm Classes: Wednesday and Thursday, 7 – 9 pm	St. Bernadette's Catholic Church 7600 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, Virginia 22152 Levels: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Registration: Saturday, January 24, 10 am – 12 pm Classes: Saturday, 10 am – 12 pm
St. Mark's Catholic Church 9970 Vale Road, Vienna, Virginia 22181 Levels: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Registration: Tuesday and Thursday, January 6 and 8, 7:30 – 8:30 pm Classes: Tuesday and Thursday, 8 – 9:30 pm	St. Leo the Great Church 3700 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax, Va 22030 Levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced Registration: Saturday, January 10, 10 am - 12 pm Classes: Saturday, 10 am – 12 pm

**Loudoun County**
Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church 46833 Harry Byrd Hwy. (Rt. 7), Sterling, Virginia 20164 Levels: Basic, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Citizenship Registration: Tuesday and Thursday, January 20 and 22, 7 – 9 pm Classes: Tuesday and Thursday, 8 – 9:30 pm

**Prince William County**
Holy Family Catholic Church 14160 Ferndale Road, Dale City, Virginia 22193 Levels: Beginner 1 and 2, Intermediate, and Advanced Registration: Sunday, January 11, 12:00 - 4:00 pm Classes: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 7 – 8:30 pm	All Saint's Catholic Church 9300 Stonewall Road, Manassas, Virginia 20110 Levels: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Registration: Sunday, January 18, 11:30 – 1:20 pm; Tuesday and Thursday, January 6 and 8, 7 – 9 pm Classes: Tuesday and Thursday, 7 – 9 pm or Sunday, 11:30 am – 1:20 pm
Our Lady of Angels 13752 Mary’s Way, Woodbridge, Virginia 22191 Levels: Basic, Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Registration: Tuesday and Thursday, January 27 and 29, 6 - 8:30 pm Classes: Tuesday and Thursday, 7 - 9 pm

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Information Session To Be Held In Woodbridge
Hogar Immigrant Services and Northern Virginia Community College are holding an information session January 8, 2009 at St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School in Woodbridge (13750 Marys Way, Woodbridge, VA 22191) from 7:00 – 9:00 pm. The event will allow interested individuals to find out more information about English language classes, ESL for Employment classes, and Legal Services. Pre-registration for English language classes and ESL for Employment classes will also be available.

For more information please call 703-534-9805 x 251.

Legal Updates
Hogar Legal Staff Helps Hundreds Maintain TPS Status
The Legal Team at Hogar Hispano has been hard at work over the last month. In addition to their regular representation of clients before the Department of Homeland Security, Hogar Legal Services has helped 222 immigrants reapply for TPS (Temporary Protected Status). The Legal Services team would like to remind all immigrants from El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua who have legal status through TPS that they must re-register by December 30, 2008 in order to maintain their status.

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Citizenship Workshops Continue To Assist Immigrants In Their Pursuit Of Citizenship
This past Saturday, December 13, Hogar Legal Services hosted another successful Naturalization workshop at the Fairlington Community Center in Arlington, helping a total of 25 legal permanent residents apply for citizenship. Legal Services would like to thank all of the volunteers who make these low-cost workshops possible.

For more information about volunteering with the Naturalization workshop, please contact Cindy Brown at cbrown@ccda.net. Volunteers are provided with a 30-minute training prior to the workshop.

Social Services Updates

Thanksgiving Dinner Serves The Hungry of Loudoun County
On November 26 the Salvation Army of Loudoun County held its annual Thanksgiving Dinner. Volunteers from the Leesburg area and from Hogar Immigrant Services came out to help feed about 150 community members who were homeless or in need of a hot meal. Most of the folks that came out to the dinner were Salvation Army regulars. The staff workers knew all of them by name and could tell you background stories on everyone. Food donations were received from area restaurants and volunteers. It was a great night to roll up your sleeves and help those who might have otherwise gone hungry that night.

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Hogar Benefit Raises Much Needed Resources for Loudoun's Impoverished Residents
On Friday, December 12, 2008, Catholic Charities’ Western Regional Office (WRO) in Leesburg held a benefit concert in order to generate much-needed donations. Due to recent economic conditions, donations are down and the need is up, so Dawn Dumas, social worker at the WRO found a creative way to continue to serve the clients. Gathering together the talents of Catholic Charities staff, volunteers, and friends, the benefit concert, “Twas the Night before Christmas” was born.

To open the event, Cindy Brown, Jorge Membreño, and Diana Gibson (Hogar Immigrant Services staff members), joined by Mike Reda (friend of Catholic Charities) sang traditional Christmas carols a capella. They helped bring in the Christmas spirit by inviting the audience to participate in several caroling numbers as well, accompanied by Ana de Groot. Hogar Legal Intern Bobby Jasinski headlined the event, rounding out the first half of the concert with his exceptional solo piano pieces. Including a variety of pieces by Chopin, and a few American classics, Bobby spellbound audiences with a tonal piece by Ravel. After a brief intermission full of holiday goodies, Bobby returned with his jazz quartet to bring the concert home. With a lively rendition of Greensleeves, the jazz quartet included pieces arranged and composed by Bobby, and turned out to be a huge crowd pleaser.

Hogar would like to thank William and Marty Maykrantz, Diane Reed, Kathyrn Griffis, and JJ Dumas. Their generosity of time and spirit helped make this event possible.

Besides a wonderful evening of music, the benefit concert generated 351 total canned and non-perishable items for the food pantries, $240.00 cash/checks donations toward the WRO and $705.00 in food/gas/miscellaneous gift cards to be handed out to clients.

Tip of the Month

A Fun, Low- Prep Activity: The Listening Dictacomp
(adapted from Zero Prep: Ready to Go Activities for the Language Classroom by Laurel Pollard)

In informal surveys done at a couple of our sites, a number of students said that they feel they need more writing practice. While writing may not always be the easiest skill to tackle in an ESL classroom, it is one that is valuable to all students. In addition, any students who plan to take the Citizenship Exam must show proficiency in writing (tested in a dictation form). The following is a way to take a dictation exercise and make it interactive and collaborative

The “dictacomp” is a combination of two techniques, dictation and composition. A highly adaptable routine, it can also be used for pre-reading, reviewing material, recycling vocabulary, and reinforcing a grammar point.

Choose any short passage your class has previously read. Depending on the class level, this can be anything from a single sentence to a short paragraph. If it comes from the textbook, be sure they keep their books closed during the exercise! Advanced classes may be able to handle unfamiliar passages, if they are fairly short. Put key words on the board and review their meaning and pronunciation. Read the passage slowly while students listen. During the first reading they are not looking at the passage or writing. They are only looking at the key words. Read the passage again while students write as much as they can. You can adjust the number of times you read the passage to the level of the class. Put the students in small groups (3-5 people per group). As a group, using what they wrote individually, the students rewrite the passage, trying to get it as close to the original as possible. Each group produces one paper. A representative from each group reads the group’s paper to the class. (If you’d like to make this a competitive activity, you can reward the group with the least mistakes.) After every group has presented, read the original passage one more time to the class. Finally, students look at the original passage to complete and correct their group paper.

This exercise will not only aid your students’ writing skills, but help them hone their listening skills as well. Give it a try and let us know how it works for you!

Volunteer Spotlight

Students from St. Thomas More Cathedral School volunteered at Hogar Immigrant Services this November to help the Education Services team. The eighth graders made bookmarks as teacher appreciation gifts and assembled material for a Thanksgiving activity for our students. Thank you St. Thomas More for offering a hand during this holiday season!

December's Vignette
As the winter holidays approach, it is the perfect time to think about the strength of family. Eating, praying, singing (caroling!), and celebrating together can bring the family closer and make the holidays truly special. At All Saints Catholic Church in Manassas in mid-December, celebrating the end of the semester of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes allowed families to see how much their favorite students had progressed. Nonetheless, for two women named Bludmith, the celebration filled with eating and fun was only a small part of their bond. This mother and daughter have demonstrated that the family that learns together has an unbreakable bond.

Bludmith Mogrovejo arrived in the United States seven years ago with her mother, Bludmith Flores. These two Peruvian women entered with different skills and dreams but shared one common goal: to learn English. After trying to learn English solely through day-to-day life, the younger Bludmith began ESOL classes at St. Anthony’s in 2005 and a local community college soon after. However, she needed more patience and enthusiasm from her teachers which she disappointingly had not received. At the same time, her mother had learned a little bit of English working for a cleaning company but wanted to be able to speak to customers with confidence. Young Bludmith heard about our program on Tuesday and Thursday nights at All Saints from one of her best friends and attended registration with her mom in tow.

Although the mother and daughter were placed in different classes (beginning and advanced, respectively), they studied together. “I would try to help her,” says the younger Bludmith. But, she adds, jokingly, “I don’t have too much patience.” People who had more than enough patience to share were the volunteer teachers at All Saints. One chief example is Tom Curling, the younger Bludmith’s advanced teacher whose sense of humor and dedication she lauds: “He is just great!”

The positive experiences and English skills that both Bludmiths learned over the course of a single semester ensure their return next semester. With English, they can achieve bigger goals. The daughter finds that the English she learns at All Saints helps her in the night nursing classes that she takes. She also sees her mother acting more confident and speaking with her clients more at the cleaning company. “My mom and I will definitely be back next semester,” she beams.

Support Hogar
During this time of economic turbulence, that is leaving many of our clients more vulnerable and in need of our help, you can lend your support to the immmigrant community by donating today. Just visit http://www.ccda.net/donate.php for more information on how to give or you can go to www.ccda.net and click on "Donate". Your generous gifts will go towards providing immigrants with the tools they need to overcome some of the obstacles they face as they adjust to their lives in the United States. Thank you for your contributions!

Giving Thanks
Hogar Immigrant Services would like to thank PA Consulting Group for their generous donations. Three representatives from PA Consulting arrived armed with gifts for Catholic Charities’ toy drive, in addition to money that they had raised to benefit Hogar. We sincerely appreciate their continued support and all of the support that we receive from the business community.

Bits and Pieces
Help Feed A Family For The Holidays
Christ House is in need of the following food items for Christmas food baskets for needy families: turkeys & hams, stuffing mixes, instant potatoes, canned gravy, cranberries, macaroni & cheese boxes, desserts (pie crust mix, fruit bread mix, cake mix & frosting mix), canned meats (corned beef, spam), cereal, canned vegetables (corn & green beans), Jell-O boxes, Hawaiian punch, cranberry juice, raisins, and apple and pumpkin pies. Giant or Safeway food certificates for senior citizen clients are also welcome. For more information, call 703-548-4227 or deliver items to 131 S. West St., Alexandria, VA 22314 between 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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Senior Resources Information Now Available Online
Catholic Charities’ Elderly Services invites seniors to take advantage of Virginia's new Easy Access website: www.easyaccess.virginia.gov. This easy-to-use website links seniors, adults with disabilities, and care-givers to agencies that can provide assistance. The website lists information about services and resources available in different areas of the state. For more information about this service, call Catholic Charities’ Elderly Services at 703-751-2766.

From everyone at Hogar Immigrant Services, we wish you a merry Christmas and a happy and healthy start to the new year!