Catholic Charities of Oregon has arranged a set of classes that help refugees integrate, succeed and stay well.
A weekly course in English as a Second Language teaches skills to beginners. They learn to recognize English letters and words and to make the challenging sounds of English speakers, from a to z with stops at f and th along the way.
The courses are held at Kateri Park, a Catholic Charities affordable housing site near the agency’s headquarters. The instructor comes from Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Willamette, which invests highly in community courses.
Refugees work hard and enjoy their progress. One woman was delighted when she was able to start counting in English.
Three days per month, Goodwill leads a job readiness course at Catholic Charities. There are interpreters and practice interviews.
And once per month, the agency hosts a health care navigation class offered by a health plan. These sessions provide answers to questions such as, “What is health insurance?” “How do I find a primary care doctor?” “What is a checkup?”
Smoking cessation is part of the health classes, since many refugees tend to smoke as it is part of their culture.
“We want to help people make healthy life choices,” says Tanja Brady, refugee self-sufficiency lead for Catholic Charities.
Volunteers, vetted by Catholic Charities, care for children during the classes. And in addition to learning, refugees get to meet their peers, who have come from all over the world seeking safety.
“It’s nice for them to know they are not alone,” said Brady.