CITIZENSHIP CLASSES
THE NEED FOR CITIZENSHIP
Various political and economic forces drive 300 immigrants a day from their home country to the United States. Many of these political and economic forces originate in the policy and practices of the U.S. government and U.S.-based multi-national corporations. The immigrant community we serve is civically engaged in many ways – contributing to American culture and to the economy. Despite their contributions they are denied the full benefits and rights offered to other Americans.
- We believe in our community.
- We support their desire to exercise their rights.
- We are here to encourage the members of our community to further educate themselves.
- As Americans we must work for a much better America.
WHAT WE DO
- Hold citizenship class Monday – Thursday from 12:00-2:30 in the afternoon and from 6:00-9:00 at night
- Teach the skills and strategies needed to pass the citizenship interview
- Study the basic conversational and written English skills needed to pass the interview
- Provide materials and information about new and pending laws
- Study the impact of old, new and impending laws on our community
- Study the structure and function of federal, state and local governments
- Compare and contrast the U.S. Government with the governments of our students’ home countries
- Study different interpretations of United States history:
- The history students need to know to pass the interview
- Other critical interpretations of that history held by students and teachers
- Encourage young people to continue their studies by making them aware of the resources and services available to them as residents and as citizens
- Foster an open participatory environment where students can share their stories and opinions
- Partake in open discussions about our rights and the common ways in which our rights are infringed upon
- Discuss strategies in order to protect our rights
CITIZENSHIP AFTER
Citizenship After is a new program for our students who have become citizens. We meet once a week for 3 hours. Our goal is to educate ourselves about issues affecting our community and network with others in the community to address these issues.
WHAT WE’D LIKE TO DO IF WE HAD MORE RESOURCES
- We’d like to see our students become community leaders – to organize around issues, to run for office, and to defend the community.
- We’d like to see organizing become a more central component of our citizenship classes.
- We’d like to accumulate a greater library of resources for our students to explore more in depth the issues that affect them.
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