Summer Programming - Off and Running!
The first few weeks of summer have been buzzing with activity, joy, and a whole lot of community.
Thanks to incredible partnerships with Billings Parks & Recreation, the Yellowstone Art Museum (YAM), and the YMCA, nearly every child we work with was registered for one or two weeks of local sports or arts camp. This feat would not have been possible without the many volunteer drivers who ensured kids got safely to and from camps. A dozen drivers criss-crossed Billings to give the gifts of peer integration and fun. Thank you!
In June, three refugee youth attended a week-long art camp, thanks to generous scholarships from our friends at the YAM. During camp, one of our kiddos chose to paint Jess, his volunteer driver’s golden retriever who had ridden along in the car each morning. Tears came to his driver's eyes, evidence of a sweet connection
As community camps were wrapping up, we launched our Refugee Youth Summer Integration and Immersion Program, emphasizing English-immersive programming. We began last summer’s program with 3 kiddos and ended with 12. This year, one of last year’s twelve became our program intern. She is helping mentor the 19 amazing kids who participate in daily recreation, English learning, skill building, and connection. In just the first two weeks of the program, youth:
Learned and practiced the essentials to two sports, and got a taste of a third;
Explored nature at the Audubon Center with trained naturalists;
Made a splash at the pool, using passes Parks and Rec helped us secure;
Played and connected with other youth at Billings’ own Rec2U;
Made their first of many visits to the Billings Public Library;
Completed the first of several community service projects;
Built their own raised garden bed from the ground up, with power tools and safety goggles; and
Planted the many plants donated from Bright and Beautiful, a local nonprofit doing good work.
Students also underwent language assessments before jumping into English tutoring at their own level.
A huge shout out to the volunteers and staff who made these kids' first two weeks so special--you are the heartbeat of all we do. And none of this would have been possible without the generosity of our funders and donors.
Launching Men's English & Conversation Class
We are finally responding to repeated requests for a Men’s English and Conversation class. A lead teacher with a heart to contribute moved to town and introduced himself, so we purchased a curriculum and determined a class time most could attend. Later this week, the men will gather at the Refugee Community Center to increase both their functional English skills as well as confidence in the workplace.
Want to join this time of connection and learning? Email nancy@nationstoneighborsmontana.org for details.
-Nancy Van Maren, Executive Director