CRIC 2017 Report. Julie Margueritte Taquin, Programs and Partnerships Director Melissa Brimhall, AmeriCorps VISTA

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1 CRIC 2017 Report Mission CRIC's mission is to promote integration, economic self-sufficiency, and positive connections among refugees, immigrants, and the wider community through two-way education, improved access to existing services, and development of new services. Board Members Nelda Ault-Dyslin, Board President Randy Williams, Trustee Lorien Belton, Treasurer Jess Lucero, Secretary Teresa Painter, Trustee Eduardo Ortiz, Trustee Julie Margueritte Taquin, Programs and Partnerships Director Melissa Brimhall, AmeriCorps VISTA

2 Thank You Russell Ray, for donating the land that houses CRIC s community garden The Family Place /Angeles Monsivais, for hosting Spanish drivers license classes English Language Center, for helping refugees study for the citizenship test Bear River Association of Government, HEAT donations Larry Smith, USU Provost, for assisting with the funding for CRIC s VISTA Sally Stocker, for spearheading CRIC s rebranding Deseret Industries, for participating in CRIC s donation voucher program Somebody s Attic, for participating in CRIC s donation voucher program Huntsman Scholars, for fundraising efforts Hemingway Foundation, for financial support in backing the Neighbor Program Centro Hispano, for serving the needs of the Hispanic community in Cache Valley Chad Pemberton, for providing legal advice and immigration support. Melissa Brimhall, AmeriCorps VISTA Michael & Kristi Spence, for founding Athletics United club for refugee youth Geoff Smith and STEDI, for offering their front office to CRIC Neighborhood Nonprofit Housing, for donating space to host weekly walk-in hours The Logan Library, for donating space to host weekly walk-in hours Mount Logan Middle School, for hosting the 2017 Stand with Refugees Night RSO offices, for providing AmeriCorps VISTA Jacob Olson and the USU journalism department, for CRIC s press kit USU dietetics department Blake Lyman, for his generous donation to CRIC s Family Match Program Paden Farmer, for the garden Eagle Project New Office! After years of local businesses generously donating their space for CRIC s various programs, we have finally graduated to having a space of our own. In August 2017, CRIC formally moved into its new location at 429 S. Main Street in Downtown Logan. Geoff Smith and the rest of the STEDi crew have graciously opened their front suite for our exclusive use, and we couldn t be more grateful. We now have one location for walk-in hours, citizenship and drivers license classes, as well as outreach events. CRIC celebrated its first open house on October 14 th by inviting all community members to come learn about our various programs and plans for the coming year.

3 Walk-in Hours Walk-in hours remains CRIC s most frequented service. On average, CRIC assists over 60 refugees and immigrants every month with bills, paperwork, social services, immigration applications, and medical appointments. With the acquisition of a new office, our walk-in hours finally shifted to a more consistent schedule. Refugees and immigrants can now seek assistance on a first-come-first-serve basis Monday- Thursday from 4-6pm. We have a wonderful team of enthusiastic volunteers who are willing to give their time to helping refugees and immigrants overcome the everyday obstacles of adjusting to life in their new home. If you know of anyone in need of such assistance, feel free to send them our way! Citizenship Clinic Gaining citizenship in the United States is not an easy task. Candidates must show knowledge of US History and Civics by verbally answering questions asked from of bank of 100 questions. Only 10 questions are asked on the test, but understanding of all 100 questions is necessary to be prepared. Additionally, individuals must be able to demonstrate English knowledge by reading, writing, and answering interview-type questions in English. CRIC s Citizenship Clinic assists in working one on one with individuals to help them learn US History & Civics, practice English skills, and prepare for the interview. CRIC s Citizenship Clinic helps 2 10 individuals each week, with volunteers from the community and a class at USU. Many individuals who have participated in the Clinic have succeeded in passing the test. Most recently two individuals from Burma passed and gained citizenship in the summer of 2017! One of the obstacles to taking the test is the application wait time and there are currently multiple people who are prepared, but have been waiting for over 6 months for approval to sit for the interview. We hope they will get the opportunity soon!

4 Drivers License Study Group CRIC also hosts two drivers license study groups, one in English and the other in Spanish, both of which help immigrants and refugees practice their English while studying for the Utah drivers license exam. CRIC hosts the English class at the office, while the Spanish class is hosted at the Family Place. While attendance varies from week to week, 7 students passed the exam in CRIC looks forward to continuing helping refugees and immigrants find their footing and gaining mobility and independence in their new home! Athletics United Earlier this spring, former USU track and field coach Michael Spence and his wife Kristi spearheaded an athletics club for refugee youth. Since its inception, Athletics United has skyrocketed and now proudly and actively hosts over 30 refugee youth, who are able to participate in weekly running and relay activities. Athletics United held its first relay in July of 2017, and participated in a 5k in October. CRIC looks forward to formalizing a partnership and continuing to support this wonderful club s growth and expansion! Community Garden One of the many services CRIC offers to help empower refugees and immigrants as they adapt to life in Cache Valley is our community garden, a space for refugees and immigrants to grow and harvest their own fresh produce. In 2017, 21 refugee families grew fresh vegetables in their own plots. Their dedication to and ownership of the preparation, planting, and harvesting of their own gardens allowed them to feel more autonomous and empowered, positively contributing to their integration into their new community. The community garden not only bolsters CRIC s goal of providing fresh produce to refugees and immigrants, but also actively provides a platform for refugee and immigrant families to acquire more knowledge surrounding agriculture and farming.

5 Back to School Supply Drive In August 2017, CRIC hosted its second annual back to school drive, where thousands of dollars of in-kind donations of binders, notebooks, pens, pencils, backpacks and calculators were collected and donated to refugee children ranging from preschool age to high school. The support CRIC receives on a consistent basis from the Cache Valley community is absolutely incredible, and we are so appreciative of your continued generosity and support!

6 CRICmas 2017 CRIC hosted its annual CRICmas celebration on Saturday, December 9 th at Ellis Elementary. With the help of community volunteers, refugee and immigrant families were able to choose from a variety of new winter clothing, boots, and books, all of which were generously donated by Cache Valley community members. Furthermore, the Lions Club provided free eye exams and glasses for those in need, and Toys For Tots donated new toys for children.

7 CRIC in the news