Newsletter

Welcome to the March 2011 edition of AACI’s newsletter!

2011 has proved to be an exciting year so far, and it’s my pleasure to share the latest in AACI news and events with you. In this issue, we’ll be featuring volunteer heroes, as well as updates from our Asian American Voices Project. I would also like to personally invite you to join AACI at two events just around the corner: the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival in San Jose (March 18-20) and AACI’s Annual Fundraising Luncheon on April 28. It’s great to be in touch with you, and I hope to see you soon!

Sincerely,
Michele Lew

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See AACI at the Movies!

AACI is proud to be a community partner of the SFIAAFF again this year! In its 10th year, the festival returns to the South Bay with films representing the finest in Asian and Asian American cinema. Be sure to stop by the AACI booth, where you can get questions answered about our programs, and learn how to get involved!

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Volunteer Spotlight – Center for Survivors of Torture:
Wren Clark and Martin Gorfinkel

This month’s volunteer spotlight is on Wren Clark and Martin Gorfinkel, two of our English teachers at the AACI Center for Survivors of Torture (CST) program. Since its establishment in 2000, the CST program has provided therapy, consultation for political asylum, and social and legal services to over 800 survivors from 56 countries. Wren and Martin have been volunteering with CST since July 2010, helping refugees adjust to their new life in America by learning English. These students come from various ethnic and national backgrounds; most are from the Middle East – Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, but there are several students from China, Asia, and Africa as well.

Wren and Martin work with students who have varying levels of English proficiency, some who are multilingual, with some others having no understanding of English. Wren works with the students who have little knowledge of English. She teaches basic vocabulary and greetings. According to Martin, “at least one person we have had in class had no years of education. She was totally illiterate, not able even to count past three. She is in her late 60s. Her isolation in this country is dreadful.” Martin spends his time with students who have a basic understanding of English, teaching more advanced grammar and vocabulary, and in addition to this, he talks to his students about current events and American culture. Wren and Martin also try to help with information or referrals to about medical care, government services, and transportation.

Wren and Martin are aware of the obstacles that refugees have to overcome when migrating to a place like America. Wren notes that, “the difficulty of adapting to the American culture is massive. Most come from a culture which uses not only a different language, but a different calendar, and a different measurement system. They have to learn to read from left to right. Most are homesick for the friends, family, and things that bracketed their lives. Thus they are grieving for what they have lost and trying to come to acceptance of what will never be.” By arming AACI clients with the ability to communicate in Santa Clara County, Martin and Wren hope to empower their students.