In This Issue:

HOGAR STAFF:

John Odenwelder
Director
john@hogarimmigrantservices.org

Education Services:

Danielle Tillilie
Group Manager
danielle@hogarimmigrantservices.org, x235

Lisa Ehm Waller
Manager
lisa@hogarimmigrantservices.org, x238

Kristen Gasimov
Manager/Office Manager
kristen@hogarimmigrantservices.org, x249

Katie Mathews
Manager
katie@hogarimmigrantservices.org, x243

Erin Maradiegue
Manager
erin@hogarimmigrantservices.org, x251

Brooke Hammond Pérez
Manager
brooke@hogarimmigrantservices.org, x239


Legal Services:

Michelle Sardone
Group Manager
michelle@hogarimmigrantservices.org

Cindy Brown
BIA-Accredited Representative
cindy@hogarimmigrantservices.org

Nancy Carbajal
Receptionist
nancy@hogarimmigrantservices.org

Maria Cutipa
Intake Coordinator
maria@hogarimmigrantservices.org

Christie Turner-Herbas
Staff Attorney
christie@hogarimmigrantservices.org

Enrique Vargas
BIA-Accredited Representative
enrique@hogarimmigrantservices.org

Chelsy Weber
Staff Attorney
chelsy@hogarimmigrantservices.org


Social Services

Dawn Dumas
Manager
ddumas@ccda.net
(703) 443-2481

Angie Marchetto
Intake Coordinator
amarchetto@ccda.net
(703) 443-2481



Hogar Immigrant Services
6201 Leesburg Pike
Suite 307
Falls Church, Va 22044
T: (703) 534-9805
F: (703) 534-9809
www.hogarimmigrantservices.org



If you would like to have this newsletter sent to a different email address or if you would like to unsubscribe from the mailing list, please email erin@hogarimmmigrantservices.org.



A Note From John

A reminder came out via e-mail last week that the agency would be closed Monday, May 31 in observance of Memorial Day-- a national holiday commemorating US men and women who died while in military service. This got me thinking about the significant contribution of immigrants to our armed forces. So I dug up some facts on the topic which I would like to share with you:

Here at Hogar, we remember Nicolas Parada-Rodriguez-- a US Marine from Stafford, VA who was killed in Afghanistan last week—as well as his grieving family of hard-working immigrants from El Salvador.

As you enjoy the long weekend with friends and family, please remember in a special way the men and women of all nationalities who are stationed on US bases around the world.   And please join us in honoring Nicolas and so many others like him who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to this country.

Best regards,
John




Education Updates

Welcome New Education Services Manager Lisa Ehm Waller
Lisa Ehm Waller comes to Hogar after volunteering as an ESL teacher for three semesters. Previously Lisa has worked primarily in the behavioral health field as a case manager for people with severe mental disorders and lead teacher for adults with IDD and Autism. She has also worked as office manager and house manager for the Gerald W. Lynch Theater in NYC. She received her M.A. in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York in 2003. She also has an A.A. in Anthropology. Lisa grew up in Sweden and Austria and came to the US for the first time in 1995. She now lives in Alexandria with her husband Matt. She enjoys reading, writing, and arts and crafts in her free time.


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Hogar's Fall 2010 ESL Registration Schedule
Hogar's Education Services Department is pleased to announce its fall 2010 ESL class schedule. Find a location near you and register this fall! For more information call 703-534-9805 x 222.

Site Registration Cost and Class Schedule
Fairfax County
Annandale High School
4700 Medford Dr., Annandale, VA, 22003
TBA
$40
Monday and Wednesday,
7 – 9 pm
*Hogar’s Falls Church Office*
6201 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22044
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday,
September 13, 14, and 15;
10 am – 12 pm (morning class)
6 – 8 pm (evening class)
$100
Monday – Thursday,
9 – 10:30 am, 6 – 7:30 pm
or 7:30 – 9:00 pm
St. Anthony of Padua Church
3305 Glen Carlyn Rd., Falls Church, VA 22041
Saturday, September 12 and 19,
10 am - 12 pm
$40
Saturday, 10 am - 12 pm
St. Bernadette Church
7600 Old Keene Mill Rd., Springfield, VA 22152
Saturday, September 11,
10 am - 12 pm
$40
Saturday, 10 am - 12 pm
St. Joseph Church
750 Peachtree St., Herndon, VA 20170
Wednesday, September 8,
7 - 9 pm
$40
Wednesday and Thursday,
7 - 9 pm
St. Leo the Great Church
3700 Old Lee Hwy., Fairfax, VA 22030
Saturday, September 11,
10 am - 12 pm
$40
Saturday, 10 am - 12 pm
St. Mark Church
9970 Vale Rd., Vienna, VA 22181
Thursday, September 16 and
Tuesday, September 21
7:30 - 8:30 pm
Tuesday and Thursday,
8 - 9:30 pm
Loudoun County
*Christ the Redeemer Church*
46833 Harry Byrd Hwy., Sterling, VA 20164
TBA
$40
Tuesday and Thursday,
8 - 9:30 pm
Prince William County
All Saints Church- Sundays
9300 Stonewall Rd., Manassas, VA 20110
Sunday, September 12,
11:00 am - 1:30 pm
$40
Sunday, 11:30 am - 1:20 pm
All Saints Church- Tuesdays and Thursdays
9300 Stonewall Rd., Manassas, VA 20110
Tuesday and Thursday,
September 7 and 9, 7 - 9 pm
$50
Tuesday and Thursday, 7 - 9 pm
Holy Family Church
14160 Ferndale Rd., Dale City, VA 22193
Sunday, September 12, 1 - 4 pm
$60
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday,
7 - 9 pm
Our Lady of Angels Church
13750 Marys Way, Woodbridge, VA 22191
Tuesday and Thursday,
August 31 and September 2,
7 - 9 pm
$50
Tuesday and Thursday, 7 - 9 pm

* Citizenship Classes are available at this location.*



Legal Updates

Introducing Hogar’s Legal Interns
The Legal Team would like to announce the arrival of our four summer legal interns, Hunter Bridges, Guillermo Garcia, Denise Hunter, and Stacie Hunhoff! Guillermo and Hunter are rising second-year law students at American University’s Washington College of Law, Denise is a rising third-year law student at George Washington University, and Stacie is a rising second-year at Penn State University’s Dickinson School of Law. We are thrilled to have their help for the summer. Please join us in welcoming them to the Hogar team!



From left to right: Hunter Bridges, Denise Hunter, Stacie Hunhoff and Guillermo Garcia.

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Legal Staff Attend CLINIC Conference To Enhance Legal Prowess
Staff members Michelle Sardone and Enrique Vargas attended the 2010 Annual Catholic Legal Network (CLINIC) convening in New Orleans from May 19-21st. The gathering brought together over 250 immigration advocates from across the country, including dozens of CLINIC affiliate organizations such as Hogar. The three-day conference included training sessions on complex immigration topics as well as networking and program-building workshops. The theme of this year’s conference was Journey of Hope: Understanding Migration and Building Communities, aimed at highlighting the need for comprehensive immigration reform. The conference’s opening ceremony featured Fr. Daniel Goody, an expert on Catholic Social teaching on migration, who emphasized the role of the Church in fostering positive solutions in the immigration debate. Michelle and Enrique report that the conference was well-organized and offered many opportunities to learn new tips and refresh old basics, always critical in the complicated and ever-changing world of immigration law.




Social Services Updates

WRO Fêtes With Area Community Partners
The Western Regional Office of Catholic Charities took part in a wonderful community event in Leesburg on May 14. We were the co-hosts for the 2010 Loudoun Community Celebration. This celebration brought all of the local churches, non-profits and government social services agencies together to celebrate the hard work and dedication each organization has displayed over the last year. This was a great way to enjoy each others' company and say thank you to each other for our partnerships.

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Munificent Area Church Makes Food Donation
St Francis de Sales has blessed the office again with a wonderful donation of 1101 lbs of non-perishable food items for the Western Regional office food closet. We are so fortunate to have their constant support.



Tip of the Month

Immersion Really Does Work At All Levels!
As one of the teacher trainings at Hogar states: immersion works! I think that it is sometimes hard for teachers, myself included, to fully understand that especially when we attempt to explain something in English and get looks of confusion from the students in return. I agree that it can be frustrating not to be understood but to resort to using a language other than English is a disadvantage to every student. Also, it means that they are not necessarily learning English!

I don’t want to preach to the choir (we all know that Hogar bases all ESL instruction on immersion) but I often hear teachers say that they wish they knew, for example, some Spanish, because they think it’d help them in their teaching, as well as increase student retention. That’s not necessarily so. Consider for a few moments that most students only speak, read and write English in the classroom, which equals two to six hours a week. If they speak or have words translated into Spanish they lose the small opportunity they have to become better English speakers.

I think of immersion as a “if at first you don’t succeed, then try again” concept. With teacher encouragement any student can learn that it is okay (even essential) to make mistakes. If our students are not confident and/or willing to go out on a limb and maybe make a few mistakes then the likelihood that they will speak English outside the classroom is very small.

As teachers, it is our responsibility to create a safe and comfortable learning environment, which will bolster their confidence.

Keep these few tidbits in mind the next time you’re tempted to slip into something other than English:
Lastly, be a bit stubborn in order to persevere. Always remind yourself that you are doing the best you can!



Volunteer Spotlight

Meet ESL Teacher Joe Mihm
This month Hogar would like to highlight our dedicated and steadfast Education Services volunteer, Joe Mihm! Joe has been consistently volunteering with us since 2005. Before coming to Hogar, Joe taught computer typing classes at the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia. Here at Hogar, Joe teaches ESL to Beginner students in the morning and incorporates computer technology into his class. Joe will also be celebrating his 81st birthday on May 29th, so make sure to wish him a happy birthday if you see him around!

How did you get started volunteering at Hogar?
I saw an announcement in one of the church bulletins that was looking for volunteers to teach ESL. My wife is Anglo-Argentine and is very involved with the immigrant community and I decided to help out as well. I started here when it used to be called Hogar Hispano.

For a number of years, you have been teaching ESL using computers. Can you explain ways in which you usually use computers to teach ESL?
We utilize certain sites on the internet that have vocabulary tests or verb usage tests. We do games practicing how to use the mouse and learning how to use different parts of the computer. We also use Google to do certain searches that are relevant to the students’ needs. The first search we did in class this semester was how to find the weather forecast in each student’s native country.

What are the most rewarding aspects of volunteering at Hogar?
I think the biggest thing is seeing students progress and be able to express themselves. It’s very important that they learn English. When I see students in upper-level classes that used to be in my Beginner class, and when I see them progress upwards, it makes me very happy.

Thank you so much, Joe, for all you do and have done over the past five years! The Education Services team we could not serve so many people without the help of great volunteers like you! And happy early birthday!



May's Vignette

Hogar Attorney Helps A Mother Obtain Permission To Stay And Care For Her Critically Ill Child
Patricia is a four-year-old child who was born with severe health problems, including congenital heart disease, various lung and breathing disorders, cerebral palsy, and a swallowing disorder that requires her to receive all of her nutrition through a feeding tube. Since her birth in Arlington, she has had numerous surgeries and frequent hospital and doctor visits. Her mother, Maria, has received training in how to care for Patricia and administer her various treatments, a process that requires expertise similar to that of a nurse.

In 2009, Maria, whose immigration status was undocumented, was stopped by the police and arrested after a traffic accident. Because she had no immigration papers, the police subsequently released her to ICE, and she was detained for several days. Because of her daughter's severe health condition, ICE eventually released Maria from detention with an ankle bracelet locator and an order of supervision requiring her to check in regularly, as well as a notice to appear in immigration court proceedings. Unfortunately, under immigration law, Maria was not eligible for any type of relief from deportation except for voluntary departure. After Maria's court proceedings, Patricia's condition worsened and she re-entered the hospital several times and had another surgery. The doctors told Maria that there was no way Patricia could travel in her condition, and that if she brought Patricia to Guatemala (Maria's native country) with her, she would be jeopardizing her life. Maria could not find an alternative caretaker for Patricia, and was terrified that if she were forced to leave the country, her daughter would surely perish.

Hogar attorneys negotiated an agreement with ICE prosecutors under which they agreed to recommend that the Department of Homeland Security grant Maria a discretionary "stay of removal" that would allow her to remain in the United States to care for Patricia as long as Patricia's health conditions persisted. Based on this agreement, the Department granted Maria the stay of removal for one year, with the possibility of renewal if Patricia's condition has not improved in one year. Maria started crying when her Hogar attorney told her the news, and stated how relieved she was, not for her own sake but for her daughter's. Although Patricia's health conditions persist, she now has the assurance of her mother's care.



Bits and Pieces

Attend Get Ready Fairfax! And Learn What To Do In The Case Of An Emergency
The Fairfax County Health Department's Medical Reserve Corp (MRC) is presenting Get Ready Fairfax!, the all-hazards community preparedness fair inside the Springfield Mall during Springfield Days Festival from 1-5 pm, June 5. The goal of this family-friendly event is to educate the public about the role individuals and their families play in all hazards emergency preparedness and how to get ready.

The fair will be organized as a mock medication dispensing site to give participants a feel for how the Fairfax MRC may respond and help the community during an emergency. Participants will receive a "passport to preparedness" to guide them as they travel through four stops at the fair on their way to emergency preparedness.

This is a free and fun educational event for people of all ages! Free emergency preparedness items will be provided (while supplies last). For more information go to
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/mrc/getready.htm