This Month at the Refugee Center and Community School
Working closely with Refugee Center staff Khem Subedi and Jalilah Yacoub, one of our clients, Rima, partnered with IU13 to integrate into life in the U.S.
Rima is originally from Syria. Rima and her six children arrived in the U.S. in 2016. Rima inspired all of us at the Refugee Center and Community School through her fearlessness, resilience, and a commitment to creating a new life for her and her six children here in the United States. She is currently studying at HACC, and her ultimate goal is to become a nurse.
Rima shared her story of strength and resilience at IU13’s January board meeting. Please take a moment to watch her speak at this link.
Secret Angel Gifts
This year, the Refugee Center and Community School at Reynolds Middle School organized to provide Secret Angel gift bags to select students based on teacher input. The Secret Angel program was initially started by teachers in the building to ensure that all students have gifts and important hygiene products leading into the holidays. Partners like Rotary Club of Lancaster, Millersville University, teachers at Reynolds and community members volunteered to fill 133 bags of gifts this year that were distributed to parents/guardians and students. Due to the water main break, special arrangements were made to distribute gifts to students’ homes. Special thanks to all involved in proving gifts for students!
Islamic Community Center of Lancaster
Since our opening in 2015, the Islamic Community Center of Lancaster (ICCL) has been a key partner for the Refugee Center and Community School at Reynolds. ICCL has provided significant support for the students, families and teachers in the building. ICCL provides new school uniforms whenever there’s a need for the students and has recently donated a video camera for Reynolds Middle School students’ video club. The teachers and students of the club are very excited and inspired by this gift and are hopeful to improve their skills in media reporting and broadcasting. Watch their video thanking ICCL for their generous donation here: (https://youtu.be/NDUvntkoz0c). ICCL has provided its space for professional development for Reynolds staff and continues to support school activities in any way they can.
Thank you, ICCL, for your unbelievable support of the Refugee Center and Community School at Reynolds!
Shelby Miller, Community Education Newsletter Editor
