Dear Friends,

I am honored to have been selected as the new Executive Director of International House. Through our programs and services, International House captures the hearts and minds of program participants and clients served as well as individual and corporate supporters. And thanks to our supporters, on September 29, we held a successful Annual Benefit , the 2007 Gala "Autumn Splendour: The Colours and Flavours of Canada". I would like express a heartfelt thanks to all who attended, sponsored, volunteered and staffed the event.

Under my leadership, International House will be more intentional about building and sustaining solid programs and partnerships with other companies or organizations that support our mission.

A new partnership between the Charlotte School of Law and the Ginter Immigration Law Clinic will provide law students with internship opportunities to learn about immigration proceedings and enable us to serve more low-income immigrants in need. We are also excited about the recent merger of the Charlotte World Book Club with the International House Book Club. Future meetings will be held at International House. Welcome new members!

There are many other organizations and agencies in our region that support the work of promoting international diversity, and we will work in close partnership with these institutions in delivering efficient services.

The development staff and marketing volunteers are working on re-invigorating our individual membership and corporate partnership programs. We are evaluating the Immigrant Advocacy Program with a focus on improving client service delivery, program measurement and national certification for our paralegal staff person.

I invite your input on how we can improve our service model, increase our footprint in the region and deliver effective programs that meet community needs. I want us to be an open and flexible organization that is willing and able to adjust to community needs. We will not be able to work in a vacuum, so I invite your participation as a donor, volunteer, program participant or board member. Please call me at any time to discuss your thoughts about how we can build a more inclusive and harmonious region for internationals and Americans.

Sincerely,
Bill Garcia
Executive Director

International House, the Latin American Coalition, Mecklenburg County Bar and Charlotte School of Law are co-sponsoring Charlotte's third citizenship workshop.

The citizenship workshop enables, at no cost, eligible residents to complete applications for naturalization with the assistance of local paralegals and attorneys.

 

You are eligible for AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP if:

• You have been a permanent resident for at least 5 years and speak and write basic English.
   
• You have been a permanent resident for at least 3 years, are married to a US citizen, and speak and write basic English.

Open to ALL eligible residents
Space is limited; you must register before November 9!

To register or for more information call:
 

• International House (704) 333-8099
• Latin American Coalition (704) 531-3848

For the November 19th meeting of the book club, members have selected the work of Kiran Desai, "The Inheritance of Loss."

Although "The Inheritance of Loss" focuses on the fate of a few powerless individuals, Kiran Desai's extraordinary new novel manages to explore, with intimacy and insight, globalization, multiculturalism, economic inequality, fundamentalism and terrorist violence. Despite being set in the mid-1980's, it seems the best kind of post- 9/11 novel.

 

*** International Book Club is an open invitation for anyone who is interested in dialogue on good books by international authors and themes. The club meets the 3rd Monday of each month at 7:00 PM at International House.***

If you are planning to apply for citizenship, this class will help you prepare for the citizenship test and interview. You will learn about the American government, history and geography, as well as the vocabulary used during the citizenship interview and test.

 

The classes are conducted in English by an experienced instructor and the class size is limited to 30 students. In addition, the citizenship classes include an informational session with an immigration attorney to address the process of becoming an U.S. citizen, and concerns regarding the process of naturalization.

When: October 28, November 4, 11,18 and December 2

Where: International House, 322 Hawthorne Lane

Cost: $50 (including course manual)
 

Japanese Conversation Hours
New Time& Day !
The Japanese Conversation hour takes place every Thursday, from 7-8 PM at International House.

We welcome all levels and backgrounds!
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We cordially invite you to the "African Identity in the 21st Century" lecture and evening of open dialogue.

The keynote speakers for the lecture are Dr. Thomas Rogers, Professor of History, Africana Studies and Latin American Studies and Dr. Eddy Souffrant, Associate Professor, Philosophy, University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

The goal of the event is to ask difficult questions about African identity and to provide a trusted, safe environment for participants to share their cultural experiences and perspectives.

The lecture's moderator, Dr. Robert Smith, Assistant Professor of Africana Studies at UNCC, will facilitate dialogue on African Identities by exploring three cultural frames: the African immigrant, African American and Afro- Caribbean/Afro-Latin American Identities. The discussion will focus largely on connecting these identity formations by considering the impact and intersection of race, labor and migration over the last several decades.

"African Identity in the 21st Century" lecture series is organized by International House in collaboration with the Department of Africana Studies at University of North Carolina at Charlotte and the African Council, a grassroots community organization.

This project is made possible in part by the North Carolina Humanities Council, a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Front Porch Grants program of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Community Foundation.

10/28 - 11 am -1 pm Eritrea Community Meeting
10/28 - 1-4 pm Citizenship Class
10/29 - 7-8 pm Free English Class
10/30 - 7-8 pm German Conversation Hour
10/31 - 7-8 pm Russian Conversation Hour
11/3 - 1-4 pm Citizenship Class
11/7 - 10-12 pm Doorways (International Women's Group) Monthly Meeting
11/8 - 6-7 pm Portuguese Conversation Hour
11/8 - 7-8 pm Italian Conversation Hour
11/9 - 3 pm International Non-profit Project Meeting
11/13 - 6 pm Friendship Force Meeting
11/16 - 6 pm 14th Annual Beaujolais Nouveau
11/19 - 7 pm International House Book Club Meeting

11/22-23 - Office Closed (Thanksgiving)

11/26 - 7pm Free English Class
11/27 - 7pm German Conversation Hour
11/30 - 6 pm African Identity in the 21st Century Lecture
11/30 - 6 pm French Fire
 

*Public attendance is determined by listing organizations.

The Junior League of Charlotte and International House will like to thank all who made the second annual "KidsHealthLink: Healthy Kids Mean the World to Us!" a huge success!

"Kids HealthLink"was held on Saturday, September 8th at the Albermale Road Elementary School. The event provided free healthcare services and education on health-focused topics in a multicultural festival atmosphere.

On September 29, the International House highlighted Canada at the 19th Benefit Gala hosted at The Westin Charlotte. The event was attended by over 360 guests and numerous Canadian dignitaries, including the Honorable Greg Byrne, Q.C., Minister of Business, New Brunswick; the Honorable Pat McCrory, Mayor of Charlotte; Ms. Jennifer Watson Roberts, Chair Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners and Ms. Susan Burgess, City Council Mayor Pro Tem.

International House will like to recognize the contribution of the Canadian Consulate, underwriter of the event, recognizing the participation and support of the Honorable Brian Oak, Consul General of Canada in Atlanta and Honorable Kevin Sinnott, Consul and Senior Trade Commissioner, Government of Canada (in Raleigh, NC) and the Honorary Canadian Consul, Mr. Dana Hicks.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police started off the 2007 Gala at 6:30 pm by inviting the guests to enjoy the cocktail hour and silent auction, followed by a full-course dinner and the live auction, conducted by Mr. Ernest Perry, of Perry's at SouthPark.
Supported by the Canadian Consulate, the menu provided an assortment of Atlantic seafood specialties, freshly flown in from Canada. A well- renowned Canadian Chef, Mr. Bob Arniel from Newfoundland worked together with the Westin Executive Chef, Mr. David Hackett to delight the guests with one of a kind Canadian dishes. The group of First Nation dancers "Khowutzun Tzinquaw", representing the Cowichan Tribes from British Columbia performed at the event.

International House will like to extend a big THANK YOU to:

In November, Doorways members will learn about the Humane Society of Charlotte and its mission. The guest speaker will be Jill Santuccio, Director of Development and Public Relations. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 7 at 10a.m.

Doorways thanks Mieke Chalmers, Sheila Bennett, Carmen Hilton and Lara Printz for their help in securing guest speakers from now through April 2008!

Volunteers are needed for Doorways meetings to provide refreshment and to help with set-up at 9:30a.m. If you are interested, please call Lakana Bikhazi at (704) 906- 0883.

International House appreciates ALL contributions to our organization. Your in-kind donations to International House are tax-deductible. We are currently looking for:

• Small copier
• Projector and retractable screen
• Upholstery for the parlor sofa and armchairs