We help Refugees Integrate into our community by providing education and support.
The Refugee Community Center functions as a safe space for new refugee and asylum neighbors to find hospitality, connection and friendship. Our work focuses on adult ESOL education, intentional children’s programming, advocacy and hospitality. The goal is the same, integrating refugees into our community as members of our nation.
English Language Classes (ESOL)
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes help immigrants learn English and integrate into their new communities. Learning English is critical to the adjustment of new arrivals. Good language skills help with jobs, and cultural understanding. It is important that newly arrived refugees begin learning, and or improving, their English as soon as they arrive. That's where the Refugee Community Center steps in, providing a safe space to practice English in a non-judgemental way. At the center we take a trauma informed approach to teaching. We do not require registration and function as a drop in center so students can begin classes as soon as they arrive in the US. Our classes and curriculum are intentionally practical and geared toward learning to speak in relevant day to day circumstances.
Citizenship Classes
Naturalization is an important milestone in the path toward U.S. citizenship. At the Refugee Community Center, we provide the resources to help you prepare, offer English and citizenship classes, and assist with the naturalization process. We are here with you every step of the way.
Intentional Kids Programming
Qualified volunteers are dedicated to helping the preschool age children learn in our intentional childcare program. Often when a new family arrives the older children get enrolled in school, parents are in ESOL classes and the youngest members of the family need a place to learn about their new home. In our childcare room these preschoolers begin to learn English and start to understand age appropriate classroom etiquette so they will be ready for school when the time comes.
Social & Cultural Events
The Refugee Community Center hosts many events, both social and educational, to help adult students build community. These events allow new refugees to meet those that walked this road before them as well as give them the opportunity to learn about other resources in our community. We are proud of the many community partners that have participated in these kinds of events. It provides everyone with the chance to build relationships, and develop a sense of belonging, thus facilitating social inclusion and a stronger sense of community. We come along to help smooth the transition and help recent refugees understand the customs, expressions, and way of life in American and in Allentown.
All of our classes and events are offered free of charge
STATEMENT OF
Non-discrimination
The Refugee Center and the Church of the Mediator do not discriminate based on race, color, religion (creed/denomination/faith/sect), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), immigration status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status in any of its activities or operations.
STATEMENT OF
Non-prosyletizing
While our refugees, volunteers and staff are always welcome to join the faithful of The Church of the Mediator, and the Church of the Mediator is committed to serving all persons because of our Christian faith and life, we do not proselytize in any way. Exposure, adherence, or conversion to any religious doctrine is not required from the beneficiaries of the ministry of the Refugee Community Center, nor for volunteering, hiring, or employment at the Church of the Mediator.
Times are much harder for Refugees. You can make a difference, right now.
Your tax free donation will go towards integrating refugees into our local community. Refugees by definition are resourceful people just in having made it this far. Studies show us they are hard workers who need a minimum of assitance to become employed contributing members of our community.
Please consider being generous in your contributions to the Refugee Community Center. You can set up a tax-deductible recurring gift through our online giving portal (at the link below). For example, a donation of $50 monthly sponsors one refugee for ESOL for a year.