This lecture looks amazing!

Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 7 PM

NORTH UNDERGROUND LECTURE HALL, UM

We are happy to continue to sponsor this great series that creates a window to the world in partnership with The Roxy, Arts Missoula, the International Rescue Committee in Missoula, and more. Come check out this fall’s line up of FREE movies- the theme is art from around the world: Cultures on Display.

As the refugee resettlement “ceiling” will be set in the next few weeks for the Fiscal Year 2020 (starting October 2019), we are asking you to help save a very successful program that has changed many thousands of lives across the country, including more than 300 here in Montana in the last 3 years. Refugee resettlement has stimulated local economies with the hard work and entrepreneurial spirit of people who have found haven from harm in their home countries. Schools and neighborhoods resound with the spirit and vitality of our new residents. In Missoula, refugee communities have started a church, opened businesses, and begun to participate in the fabric of our town.

But refugee resettlement is threatened as never before. Admissions could be cut to zero next fiscal year. States and cities could be given the option to refuse resettlement. Other initiatives directed at immigrants in general could begin to have an effect on refugees coming to America. As expressed in last month’s Op-ed in the Missoulian, it’s something we are very concerned about, and that’s why we are asking you to do something important to support refugees across the nation.

Please help us reach out to local and state leaders to join a National effort and ask them sign a letter to President Trump by Sept. 9 requesting that no fewer than 95,000 refugees be admitted in FY 2020.

Please share this letter with elected officials all over Montana and urge them to sign. Let’s let the administration know that Montana is a welcoming state that values and supports the resettlement of refugees.

For more information on why we are so concerned or how you can help, please read this thorough report by Refugee Council USA(RCUSA) and don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.

Soft Landing Missoula will be collecting winter clothing for refugee families. We are accepting new and gently used winter coats, winter boots, winter socks, snow pants, hats and gloves. Items can be dropped off at our office Monday-Friday between 9am-4pm. We cannot accept sweaters or other clothing.

We are also looking for volunteers to head up their own drive – use your own network (church, book club, school) to collect items and bring them to Soft Landing.

Contact volunteer@softlandingmissoula.org with questions or for more information.

Soft Landing is looking for Volunteers for our after school tutoring program for middle school and high school refugee students.

This program was developed a year ago in response to frequent requests from refugee students for help with their homework. After a year of tutoring, the response from both teachers and students was unanimous: tutoring not only helped students do better in school but it also helped in providing a safe social space for students who are adjusting and acclimating to a whole new way of life. Some students come to hangout, dance, surf the web, and play games while others want serious help with algebra Science, and Writing.

The program runs Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:15-5:30. We are looking for individuals who are willing to commit to at least one day a week throughout the semester. Tutors need to feel comfortable working with students in at least 1 of the following subjects: Algebra, Geometry, Earth Sciences, or Essay writing/Research Papers. Preference given to tutors who can also help transport students. If you are interested please email greta@softlandingmissoula.org for more information.

We asked and you responded! Thank you to the many donors who stepped up to help us fund ongoing swim lessons for refugee kiddos. Not only did we get the $250 to fund the next session, but because of your generosity, we will be able to fund multiple sessions, plus provide all the equipment necessary.

Our amazing volunteer swim instructor, Kyle Watson, had this to say: “My hope is to provide skills that are fundamental and critical for survival in the event that a child needs to self-rescue. In a town like Missoula, that situation could and does present itself a number of ways. My sister, who’s also a swimmer, donated because she really believes in this message. She lives on the Boise River, and two years ago a 15-year old refugee drown while at a popular swimming spot not far from her house.”

Wow. Thank you to Kyle and everyone who donated to help make this happen. We feel great knowing that families exploring all of the wonderful rivers and lakes in Montana this summer will not only have a ton of fun, but also have skills to keep themselves safe.

Digging Deep

As with so many of you in our community, across the state, and around the nation (and sheesh! THE WORLD), we have been horrified at what is going on with family separation and detention of children on our southern border. There is not much I can say that has not yet been said about it, but I did want to touch on a few things.

One- We have an incredible community with a lot of people who care about this issue. We were so honored to partner with Missoula Rises, Montanans for Immigrant Justice, and the Jeannette Rankin Peace Center to host a Lights for Liberty vigil in Missoula and also be a part of 7 cities around the state, and over 700 around the world that not only expressed our outrage, but also demanded action from our elected officials. We have posted some great photos of the evening and ways you can KEEP ACTING so it doesn’t just stop there. It is hard to imagine that this has now been going on for well over a year and only seems to be getting more dire with recent efforts by the administration to make asylum completely unavailable at our southern border. Yes, this will probably be blocked by a judge, but if you remember, so was family separation and it is STILL happening! We have all got to dig deep and make the call, then call again.

Second- Have you noticed the (small but mighty) change we have made to the wording of our mission? Last winter, during our annual board meeting, we all arrived at the realization that we have never closed our door to anyone seeking our services, and in that way we had already been holding a place in the community for refugees as well as other immigrants, including those seeking asylum. In fact, interesting SLM trivia, we have had the honor of serving asylum seekers before refugees even arrived in Missoula. We feel like there is no better time to announce this change in wording and honor all of our work and all of the community members we serve by the addition of “and Immigrants” to our mission. At this moment, this does not mean an expansion of services that we offer, but that our doors will remain open to all immigrants and English Language Learners who seek our existing services. To further explain and give context for this addition in wording, we are sharing a letter from the Soft Landing Missoula board with you. I feel blessed to have a board that so closely shares the staff’s vision for this organization. Thank you board!

Lastly- We have got to keep celebrating! This is just as important as the rest. Refugees and immigrants fill our lives with richness and bring with them experiences, culture, and a resilience we would not otherwise know. We are getting excited for all of the events we and others are planning for Welcoming Week (Sept 13-22) and are bringing back our SUPPER CLUB for the month of July! Maybe it is by attending one of our many events, maybe it is through a small shared experience with a new neighbor you know, or maybe it is through taking 20 Eritreans to the lake for a day of fun (Andi- WE LOVE YOU!), but we all need to remember to celebrate.

In love and gratitude,

Mary

July Supper Club

We took a little break this spring, but we are back with a July Supper Club at Masala! We are so excited to feature our newest Iraqi neighbor, chef Suhad Munshid!

Join us at Masala on July 28th at 5:30 pm for this amazing meal.

Click below to view the menu, more details, and reserve your spot. Act fast—reservations only and the seats go QUICKLY!

RESERVE NOW

Volunteer Spotlight

You guys already know Hanan for her incredible cooking and near-famous Butter Chicken, but did you know that she has been an essential welcomer for refugees coming to Missoula? She is incredibly generous with her time, volunteering to translate and make sure Arabic speaking refugee families have access to all our community has to offer and advocate for them so no one falls through the cracks. She is a true friend and a large reason that these families are thriving here in Missoula. Thank you Hanan!

Opportunities and Events

>> Help Soft Landing raise $250 for swim lessons! We have been working with a local swim instructor since last winter who is voluntarily providing swim lessons to refugee students. Please help us cover the cost of pool rental and equipment so that we can keep the fun (and important instruction!) going!>>

>> Have you been tutoring English for a while and want to step up your game? Or maybe you are new to teaching English Language Learners but are excited for the opportunity to teach at home or abroad. Either way, this TESOL class is for you! Learn more!>>

>>ELI is looking for host families for the afternoon of July 27th from 2-7. This is a minimal commitment to have a lot of fun and get to share our great city with high school visitors form Japan! Learn more.>>

Most refugee children arrive in the United States and have not had an opportunity to learn how to swim. This winter we were approached by an amazing local swim instructor who offered to donate her time to teach refugee kids to swim. She started with 4 girls from Eritrea, ages 13-16. She picked them up and took them to the pool once a week for 12 weeks. Over the course of those 3 months, the girls went from being afraid to put their head under water, to swimming the length of the pool. They became confident and competent swimmers. Once word got out, kids have been begging to be next for swim lessons with Kyle. She is now on to her third group of kids. We want to help her sustain this effort by helping to pay for pool usage and equipment. Please make a donation to Soft Landing Missoula by cash, check or online at https://softlandingmissoula.org/donate. Leave us a note online after you have completed your donation or send us an email at volunteer@softlandingmissoula.org to let us know this is a donation for swim lessons. Any funds raised over the $250 will go to support our other youth programming. Thank you for your support!

Who is this course meant for? 

ELI’s TESOL Certificate Program offers English language teacher training to anyone who is interested in working with non-native speakers; this includes recent graduates, current students, those interested in teaching abroad, current teachers looking for strategies to meet the needs of diverse learners, and international participants who meet English language proficiency requirements. 

How much does this course cost? 

This program costs $1300 and includes 100 instructional hours, 20 hours of practicum (observation and instruction), mentorship by experienced ESL/EFL teachers, and help pursuing a career in the teaching profession. There is the option to split the payment cycle into two payments—one at the beginning of the course and one by the midterm.  

When can I start this course? 

The fall 2019 course starts the first week of September. 

When does the course finish? 

The course ends the first week of December.  However, teacher candidates will have two months after the last day of instruction to complete the 20 hours of observations and practicum and to turn in the capstone project: a teaching portfolio. 

Is there a certificate of completion? 

Yes, once you have successfully completed the program with a 75% or higher, you will be given a certificate showing you have completed the TESOL certificate program.  This program meets industry standards for program length and structure, administration, student services, curriculum and instruction, and instructor qualifications as defined by the TESOL International Association.  The combination of this certificate and a bachelor’s degree will satisfy minimum qualifications to teach English at most independent language schools worldwide.  

Can I complete this course if I work full time or am a student?    

Yes! Each week consists of approximately 8-10 hours of online instruction and completion of weekly assignments. For most weekly tasks, deadlines are consistent each week (e.g. the weekly lesson quiz is due by Sunday night; weekly assignments are due by Wednesday night). The class is structured in a way that allows for flexibility in that students can use evenings and weekends to complete lessons and homework. Also, the timing for the 20-hour observation/practicum component is flexible and can be completed in a way that works with your schedule.  Students who need extra time to complete the observation/practicum component can even get a two-month extension after the end of the 12-week course. 

How do I register?   

Registration is through the School of Extended & Lifelong Learning. Here is the registration link: TESOL Registration Fall 2019   

Do you have specific questions about the program?

Feel free to reach out to TESOL Certificate Program instructor Josh Rosenberger: joshua.rosenberger@mso.umt.edu; 406 243 2084.

On July 12th, Missoula, Montana will be joining hundreds of cities around the nation, as well as cities across Montana, to stand together and call for an end to child and family detention at the border. In partnership with Montanans for Immigrant Justice and Missoula Rises, Soft Landing Missoula invites you to join us in expressing our horror at the conditions in the detention center and the deaths of 7 children in America’s custody.

Where: St. Paul Lutheran Church- 202 Brooks St, Missoula, MT 59801

When: 7:30p

For more info on this local event and the motivation and details behind this national effort, please visit the Missoula FB event page as well as the Lights for Liberty website.

We are asking for your presence, but we are also asking for your PARTICIPATION! Along with select speakers, there will be a chance for audience participation to join our voices together in song. The song below was selected by members of Missoula’s immigrant community as a special lullaby sung by mothers to their children to comfort and soothe. There have been 7 children that have died as a result of conditions in these detention camps and we want to sing this song in their honor. Please join us and share with your communities, youth groups, etc.. so that we can send this song as far out into the universe as possible. Below is a youtube video and lyrics for you to learn ahead of time. Feel free to print and bring lyrics to the vigil. If you have a child or group of children that would like to stand at the front of the vigil and sing with a group (vs from the audience), please contact mary@softlandingmissoula.org. Thank you.

A la rorro nino

A la rorro niño
A lo rorro ya
Duérmete mi niño
Duérmete me ya.

Este niño lindo
Que nació de dia,
Quiere que lo lleven
A ver a su tia.

Este niño lindo
Que nació de noche
Quiere que lo lleven
A pasear en coche.

A la rorro niño
A lo rorro ya
Duérmete mi niño
Duérmete me ya.

Este niño lindo
Se quiere dormir,
Y el pícaro sueño
No quiere venir.

Este niño lindo
Que nació de noche
Quiere que lo lleven
A pasear en coche.