Setting an Example

Story Courtesy of Summit Education Initiative

 

Photo Courtesy of International Institute of Akron

 

 

SEI guides 16 for Success kit training for community partner

While the bulk of Summit Education Initiative (SEI)’s work occurs behind-the-scenes, sometimes face-to-face conversation and in-person demonstrations best represent our support for community partners and their work.

In fall 2016, Dr. Matthew Deevers, senior research associate at SEI, joined the International Institute of Akron (IIA)’s education department for a series of 16 for Success kit training sessions with local families. While the dialogue and activity in each session helps teach parents how to use different aspects of the kit, the ultimate goal of the training is to help their children begin kindergarten on track for success.

Refugee employees prove profitable for local businesses

Story by Chris Miller

 

Many of Akron’s resettled refugees were restricted from working during their time in the camps. Now that they’ve resettled, they’re excited to enter the workforce and form a sense of identity and independence, says Tiffany Stacy, regional manager of employment services for the International Institute of Akron (IIA).

“A lot of our clients come from situations where they were refugees in countries where they did not have the right to work, so for many years they couldn’t work; all they could do was live off the food rations they were given,” she adds. “That has an effect on people; it’s demoralizing. You don’t feel a sense of control over your own destiny. When people get here, they’re very excited to get a job, they’re excited to work for something, to have a purpose. They come alive, their demeanor often changes.”

Education for Akron’s Bhutanese Refugees Part 3

Story by Tom Crain

Education beyond K-12

Educational requirements for Summit County refugees 18 years and older are serviced through Project Learn, an organization spearheading the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) instruction. Project Learn is part of Adult Basic and Literacy Education (ABLE) through the state of Ohio and is funded by the Ohio Board of Regents. It also receives support from United Way of Summit County, GAR and Akron Community Foundation.

Project Learn partners with local refugee resettlement organizations, including International Institute of Akron (IIA), Asian Services in Action (ASIA) and World Relief, to administer classes.  There are 64 different countries represented in Project Learn’s ESOL program, with over 40 languages spoken. At any one time, there are 20 classes held at various sites throughout the county, with a current enrollment of 550 students, many of whom are refugees.

Education is the ticket to achieving the American Dream for Bhutanese refugees in Akron Part 2

 

Story by Tom Crain

 

David James, Superintendent of Akron Public Schools (APS) says that several of Akron’s schools have been undergoing significant change due to the influx of refugees. “Little did any of us know the U.S. foreign policy decision made nine years ago would bring into our schools a story that is truly inspirational in an American way,” he says. “And now, with so many articles and broadcasts coming out of our refugee schools, much of America is aware.”

North High School (NHS) was waning in attendance for years and was in danger of closing altogether before refugee resettlement kicked in. Now, NHS has become known as Ohio’s most diverse public school.

Akron Art Museum expands Inside|Out project this year with more outdoor art

 

The Akron Art Museum’s second year of the community-activated art project, Inside|Out will expand its reach in 2016. The museum will partner with eight new neighborhoods to install 40 art reproductions from the museum’s collection in and around the city.

Last year, the museum installed 30 reproductions at outdoor locations in six neighborhoods in and around the Akron area. Inside|Out was made possible by a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.