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Frequently Asked Questions
What do SHINE volunteers do?
Students work as "coaches," assisting in ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) and citizenship classes at one of our four community sites. As coaches, studetns work one-on-one, or with a small group of adult learners two hours a week for ten weeks, totaling twenty hours throughout the semester.
Do I need to have ESOL experience?
No. If you choose to participate in SHINE, you will attend a three-hour orientation which will sufficiently prepare you to assist in an ESOL or citizenship class.
Do I need a car?
No. Project SHINE provides a van shuttle service to all of our volunteers. The van leaves ELS half an hour before your scheduled time slot. Click here for the complete schedule.
How do I get involved?
Sign up for one on the Project SHINE courses at the beginning of the semester. Look for posters and e-mails with the course list. Then fill out the student pre-service survey at www.projectshine.org (password = shinesurvey), sign up for a time slot, and attend the orientation!
How did SHINE start?
The 1996 Welfare Reform legislation placed approximately 8.5 million immigrants and refugees in jeopardy of losing their benefits. Particularly vulnerable are elders who are legal permanent residents but who have not obtained citizenship. Without citizenship, these elders face loss of housing, income, food stamps, and access to health care, among other basic needs. For elderly immigrants applying for citizenship, the INS naturalization exam can present a daunting obstacle. Many have few years of formal schooling and struggle to learn English. SHINE was started in 1997 as a collaboration between City College and San Francisco State University to address the needs of these elderly immigrant students, and to help build intergenerational relationships. These older students have told us that the encouragement and individual attention they get from SHINE coaches can make all the difference.
What if I have more questions?
Want more information on SHINE? Contact SHINE Coordinator, Stephanie Wolter at shine@hamilton.edu or at 315-859-4879.
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Van Driver Contact Information
Utica Refugee & Immigrant Population
