Whether you’re a refugee, a volunteer, or an interested community member, these resources will help you navigate the various systems you may encounter when interacting with the refugee resettlement process.
Here’s some information about the nuts and bolts of the resettlement process abroad:
- The Refugee’s Journey to the United States
- Check out these cool info-graphics from CharlotteAwake! that reflects resettlement facts in North Carolina and around the United States.
- Please visit the UNHCR website for current information about resettlement internationally
Check out this information about CWS and our practices, and how we recommend modeling supportive and empowering relationships with new arrivals:
- 4 Key Philosophies of Church World Service
- Empowerment in Action
- Print this Guide to Durham packet and turn it into lesson plans for community orientation home visits.
- This Job Workbook is helpful on a clients’ journey towards self-sufficiency and employment.
You can also watch these videos about ESL at CWS Durham made by volunteer Leslie Baker and a video about the refugee experience featuring former CWS Durham case manager, Naseer:
CWS: English Class for Refugees from Leslie Gray Baker on Vimeo.
Want more information about the histories of countries and conflicts refugees are fleeing, and how best to support refugees in their life transition?
- The Cultural Orientation Resource Center is an incredible resource for country backgrounders and natures of conflict around the world
- USCRI has a great toolkit for how to think well about refugees as they adjust to new life here in the US
- The Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services (JFCS) in partnership with the Florida Center for survivors of torture has comprehensive resource guides for country-based mental health information.
Need more resources for ESL work, or practicing English in your daily life and with a conversation partner? Here are some links and suggestions from our ESL teacher on staff.
- Duke Hello is a website designed for and by French and Swahili-speaking refugees from African countries
- Practitioner Toolkit: Working With Adult English Language Learners: is a pretty comprehensive guide from the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) about needs assessments, teaching adults, helping adults help their children, and assessments.
- An array of resources from the Community For Accredited Online Schools, with links and curriculum for students, teachers, and parents.
- REEP Curricula has general lesson plans for many levels along with resources on planning lessons and assessment.
- ESL Cyber Lab is an enormous listening activity database.
- Check out the Durham Literacy Center or Durham Technical College to learn more about continuing education classes for ESL speakers, and to peruse their online ESL resources.
- Dave’s ESL Cafe provides learners and teachers with resources.
- Tips for Communicating with English Language Learners
- Handwriting Exercises to help teach writing
Not sure how to utilize Durham Public Transit?
- GoDurham is your best bet for learning more about bus routes, schedules, and maps to find your way to the local library, nearest grocery store, or community outing!