Some refugees come to the United States looking for relief from persecution, political instability as well as war-torn countries. Many bring their children hoping they will face a better future than their parents.
Many of these children, however, come ill-prepared for American classrooms. For these cases, the International Community for Women and Children is there to help.
"We have been volunteering for three and half years now," said Rachelle Pichardo, the organization's co-founder.
She founded the organization with refugee parent named Ruth Lomo. She is from Somalia.
ICWC is located at the United Methodist Center and will take place Monday through Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. It is a nonprofit organization.
University of Memphis junior English major Pete Nelson has been a volunteer for three years.
"I enjoy working with the kids," he said.
Nelson said he enjoys working with children so much that he plans to make a career of helping them.
"I plan on moving to Africa and dealing with children there who are learning English as their second language," Nelson said. In December, he will visit Sudan during winter break.
"I will probably end up there once I start working," he said.
The children range from kindergarten through the 12th grade and most of the children come from Somalia, Sudan, Sierra Leone and Afghanistan.
There are 60 children in the program, and an average of 40 appear everyday. Many of the children are making real progress.
"We have their report cards on file to monitor their improvement quarterly," Pichardo said. "We contact their teachers if there is a problem."
They tutor in a vast array of subjects such as math, science as well as English. They also offer college help for high school seniors.
Even though most of the children can walk to the Center, transportation is available by way of van.
"We will pick (up) children if we have to," Pichardo said.
ICWC is free to parents and attendance is not mandatory. All tutors are volunteers.
"We are not paid. We are a non-profit venture," Pichardo said.
There are programs for English as a second language for native Spanish speakers but no programs for languages such as Somali or Arabic.
"These kids do not stand a chance without someone to help them," said Heidi Bilderback, a U of M alumna and University College major.
Bilderback said parents try to help their children but can only do so much.
"Their parents do not speak English and they can only help so much," she said.
ICWC is experiencing expansion and will be adding skills classes for parents.
"We will begin computer training and job training," Nelson said.
Nelson said they are expecting $100,000 in grant money.
