When I welcome, I feel welcomed.”Īcross the United States, refugees and other immigrants are strengthening our communities. “It’s a nice way to live and a two-way street.
“If you feel welcome, it gives you the emotional grounding that makes other experiences positive,” said Jennifer. The program makes daily life easier for us.”Īs classes end for the summer, Jennifer actively is planning play groups and library visits to keep them all connected. “I can go to the market and interact with people or to school meetings and understand what teachers are asking us to do. “We didn’t know anyone when we first arrived but now, I feel like I belong to my community,” said Hawa, who has attended English classes at Mommy & Me for over two years. We have to turn people away because of funding.”īut for those who do attend Mommy & Me, the difference it makes on their lives is huge. “There are so many women still in their apartments with no help. “Women who have found us have been resourceful,” said Jennifer. The program does no advertising and is consistently full, with a long wait list. We used to have classes downstairs, but if a mom heard any baby cry, they would all rush to see if it was theirs!” The teacher runs after her – “It was just a little cry, come back!” Jennifer explains: “We let mothers keep their babies with them in class if they want, but often they are very sensitive to disrupting others. In the mid-level English classroom, a mother rushes out with a fussy baby on her back.
#MOMMY AND ME PROGRAM HOW TO#
In the beginner class, they may first need to learn how to simply hold a pencil or which way to turn paper, as some didn’t write in their home countries. Over 28 languages are represented by the mothers, who are separated into different classes by English ability. Classes go from 9-12 each day, and then there is time for mothers to interact with their children while reading books. Mommy & Me has about 200 students – mothers and their children - enrolled from September to May and a staff of eight that includes 3 ESL teachers, lead and assistant teachers, and up to 10 daily volunteers. We are here to teach language, but just as much to create a sense of belonging and welcome. “It’s survival versus being part of a community and thriving. “It’s so clear in our community who has felt welcomed,” says Jennifer Green. citizenship requirements, and gaining a sense of community.
#MOMMY AND ME PROGRAM SERIES#
Upstairs in a series of classrooms, their mothers are learning English, studying U.S.
There are sounds of children doing structured play and interacting with each other.
#MOMMY AND ME PROGRAM FREE#
The bustling hallway at Mommy & Me has classrooms for babies, toddlers, and preschool-aged children of refugee mothers it’s the only place in town that provides such high quality – and free - child care. Meanwhile, she’s trying to recover from the trauma of being a refugee and actively learning English to give her family new opportunities.”
If Ahmed needs an appointment, where could he go? Hawa doesn’t have transportation, appointment hours are often restrictive, and she has two other young children with no child care. “Mothers often are not even on people’s radar. “There are so many barriers for refugee mothers to participate and thrive in their communities,” says Jennifer Green. Alternately on the phone with a nurse and a pharmacy for eye drops, Jennifer was hoping to help Hawa avoid scheduling a doctor’s appointment. Now Hawa is in the middle of a “hallway consultation” with Mommy & Me Director Jennifer Green, who picked up the family and brought them to the Friends of Refugees building in Clarkston, Georgia Mommy & Me is a program within the organization that specifically helps refugee mothers and children. After walking a mile to take six-year-old son Ahmed to kindergarten with siblings Youssef (3) and Susan (8 months) in tow, she headed next to English class before getting a call that Ahmed was sick with pinkeye and must be taken home. Hawa Abdelrahmin’s kind smile hides that by 8:30 on a sunny Thursday morning, she’s already had a very busy day. English school gives refugee mothers and their young children an opportunity to build community and a sense of belonging and helps reduce barriers for inclusion among this often overlooked group.