If you are interested in finding out more information about refugee education, or want to get more involved in working with refugee students here are a few different organizations that can help.
REFUGEE DEVELOPMENT CENTER
The greater Lansing area is home to a large population of refugees from all corners of the world. Many of these individuals have suffered grave injustices and lived in places where they had little or no control over their lives. They have lost family, friends, homes and entire communities. When refugees come to America, they usually have little money, few contacts, and a limited understanding of America’s vast and complex culture. That is where the Refugee Development Center comes in. The RDC is a hope-filled, welcoming place that provides refugees with the education, support, and language skills they need to succeed.
Volunteers are the main task force at the Refugee Development Center! The RDC typically schedules them for weekly two-hour shifts Mondays through Thursdays, from 1pm – 9pm. Volunteers also help with specialized sports, art, and music projects throughout the year, as well as participating as conversation partners in ESL classes. All volunteers must complete background checks and attend a volunteer orientation here at the RDC. If you are interested in a one-time volunteer opportunity, please consider signing up to be a conversation partner in one of their ESL classes.
The Center also offers 2-3 internships per semester. Candidates are encouraged to apply early, as spaces fill quickly. Interns at the RDC spend 50% of their time working on a specific project (youth program, ESL, etc.) and 50% of their time in direct service to refugees. Hours vary according to intern availability and university requirements (minimum 10 hours/week).
If you are interested in becoming an intern at the RDC, please email a cover letter and your resume to Shirin Kambin-Timms at [email protected], and also send a hard copy of the same to: The Refugee Development Center, Attn: Shirin Kambin-Timms, 122 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing, MI 48912.
Dates to apply for a spring semester internship are October 15- November 15.
Dates to apply for a summer internship are March 15- April 15.
Dates to apply for a fall semester internship are July 1- July 31.
If you are interested in more information about volunteering or becoming an intern at the RDC, please contact Anneli at [email protected].
The Center also offers 2-3 internships per semester. Candidates are encouraged to apply early, as spaces fill quickly. Interns at the RDC spend 50% of their time working on a specific project (youth program, ESL, etc.) and 50% of their time in direct service to refugees. Hours vary according to intern availability and university requirements (minimum 10 hours/week).
If you are interested in becoming an intern at the RDC, please email a cover letter and your resume to Shirin Kambin-Timms at [email protected], and also send a hard copy of the same to: The Refugee Development Center, Attn: Shirin Kambin-Timms, 122 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing, MI 48912.
Dates to apply for a spring semester internship are October 15- November 15.
Dates to apply for a summer internship are March 15- April 15.
Dates to apply for a fall semester internship are July 1- July 31.
If you are interested in more information about volunteering or becoming an intern at the RDC, please contact Anneli at [email protected].
TOMORROWS EDUCATORS FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF MULTICULTURALISM
TEAM provides Michigan State University students, those interested in multicultural education and/or those simply interested in the systems of powers that work in and out of our society and how they affect different social identities like race, gender, ability, sexuality, and religion, the opportunity to learn, discuss, and reflect on issues related to multicultural education through academic discussion and civic engagement in the form of community service to East Lansing and the greater area. With this opportunity, it is TEAM’s hope that members will commit themselves to a life of service and an educational pedagogy of multicultural education; teaching and learning through cultural pluralism within a culturally diverse society in an interdependent world with the primary goal being to foster the intellectual, social, and personal development of ALL students to their highest potential.
TEAM stands for Tomorrows Educators for the Advancement of Multiculturalism and is a registered student organization affiliated with the Michigan State University College of Education. All students from all colleges and all majors at MSU are welcome to join. One great thing about TEAM is that they do not require dues to join. That's right, there are NO DUES! TEAM enjoys having fun, providing service to the community, learning about multiculturalism and education, and most of all being a supportive family. TEAM has a relaxed setting which they hope fosters the making of lifelong friendships.
The 4 Pillars of TEAM
Academic Discussion
TEAM meets for general meetings every month. They hold two meetings, one on Tuesday, and the other a week later on Wednesday for your scheduling convenience. Each month TEAM focus on a different topic related to multiculturalism in the classroom and how different social identities work in society and in our education system. In the past discussion topics have included race, gender, disabilities, English language learners, media literacy, etc. There is always FREE pizza, drinks, and candy at all their meetings!
Fundraising
In order to fund their community service events TEAM organizes at least two fundraising events a month. In the past, they have collected pop cans, organized dinner fundraisers at Mongolian BBQ, had a bake sale, etc.
Social Networking
TEAM is not only about business. They also enjoy having fun together. Each month they have events for TEAM members to get to know each other and have fun! Past events have included trips to Uncle John's Cider Mill, study nights, shows and events at the Wharton Center, etc.
Community Service
Each month TEAM tries to participate in at least two community service events that allow TEAM members to get involved in the greater Lansing area community, especially with children. Past events have included hosting a safe 'Trick or Treat' for a local elementary school, collecting crayons for a local elementary school, running activities for children at the College of Education tailgate, cooking dinner for the residents at the Ronald McDonald House, etc.
The 4 Pillars of TEAM
Academic Discussion
TEAM meets for general meetings every month. They hold two meetings, one on Tuesday, and the other a week later on Wednesday for your scheduling convenience. Each month TEAM focus on a different topic related to multiculturalism in the classroom and how different social identities work in society and in our education system. In the past discussion topics have included race, gender, disabilities, English language learners, media literacy, etc. There is always FREE pizza, drinks, and candy at all their meetings!
Fundraising
In order to fund their community service events TEAM organizes at least two fundraising events a month. In the past, they have collected pop cans, organized dinner fundraisers at Mongolian BBQ, had a bake sale, etc.
Social Networking
TEAM is not only about business. They also enjoy having fun together. Each month they have events for TEAM members to get to know each other and have fun! Past events have included trips to Uncle John's Cider Mill, study nights, shows and events at the Wharton Center, etc.
Community Service
Each month TEAM tries to participate in at least two community service events that allow TEAM members to get involved in the greater Lansing area community, especially with children. Past events have included hosting a safe 'Trick or Treat' for a local elementary school, collecting crayons for a local elementary school, running activities for children at the College of Education tailgate, cooking dinner for the residents at the Ronald McDonald House, etc.
Want to join TEAM?
1. Fill out the Membership Form. After, you will be added to TEAM's e-mail list, and continually updated on upcoming events.
2. Look TEAM up on facebook.
Join our group: TEAM - Tomorrow Educators for the Advancement of Multiculturalism
Be our friend: Tomorrows EducatorsfortheAdvancementof Multiculturalism
If you're interested in finding out more information about TEAM feel free to e-mail TEAM your questions at [email protected]
2. Look TEAM up on facebook.
Join our group: TEAM - Tomorrow Educators for the Advancement of Multiculturalism
Be our friend: Tomorrows EducatorsfortheAdvancementof Multiculturalism
If you're interested in finding out more information about TEAM feel free to e-mail TEAM your questions at [email protected]
STUDENT MICHIGAN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
Student Michigan Education Association (SMEA) is a pre-professional organization that provides community service and professional development opportunities to education students. They give their members an extra edge by helping make a smooth transition from campus to the classroom by focusing on four areas: professional development, community service, fundraising, and Outreach to Teach. SMEA is the student chapter of the Michigan Education Association (MEA) and the National Education Association (NEA).
Outreach to Teach is the biggest event SMEA organizes and participates in. We choose a school in the Lansing area that needs some work, and as a group, we spend an entire day there fulfilling the requests of the school… think "Extreme Home Makeover: School Edition." In the past we have done things such as painting classrooms, painting murals, and landscaping. To be an active member, you must participate in this event.
Visit http://msusmea.yolasite.com/ for more information on how to get involved.
Visit http://msusmea.yolasite.com/ for more information on how to get involved.
