International Institute of Metropolitan St. Louis
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August 2, 2012
I interned here during the first quarter of 2012 and I enjoyed everything about this nonprofit that i continued to volunteer. The Institute serves an important and often overlooked role in the city and does an amazing job at it. I'll continue to volunteer for as long as I can and hopefully the Institute will continue to work hard at helping immigrants and refugees survive and thrive in St. Louis.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
May 23, 2012
I started volunteering with the International Institute in January 2012. Once a week, I help tutor immigrants who are preparing to take the citizenship test. The students' stories of how they came to be in America never fail to inspire me, and their enthusiasm for becoming American citizens reminds me what a privilege it is to live here. My regular job is teaching high school, and there have been many nights when I get home exhausted and think about maybe not volunteering that night. I always go, and I'm always rewarded many times over by the students who are so eager to learn and appreciative for help. Likewise, the compassion and dedication of the teachers and other volunteers at the Institute renew my faith in people. The International Institute provides invaluable services for immigrants and refugees who find themselves alone and afraid in a new country.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
May 11, 2012
IISTL is a gem of the St. Louis community. Continued support for the institute is absolutely imperative for the well-being of the community. Our region desperately needs a refugee/immigrant influx; this infusion of immigrants is vital for economic development and prosperity. IISTL is one of the few entities in the area that provides refugee resettlement and training programs. We're trying to embrace, for the entire St. Louis MSA, the influx of immigrants our region so desperately requires. Our Festival of Nations, an annual celebration of culture, draws in excess of 140,000 attendees. This program is vital to Goal II of our Strategic Plan: to be a leader in building a stronger, positive two-way relationship between immigrants and the wider community.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
My attending English language classes as a refugee many, many years ago. The IISTL helped my parents and I when we emigrated to the US. I've experienced first-hand the benefits the institute provides to immigrants and refugees.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
I learned quite a bit about the grant writing and research process.
May 10, 2012
I've enjoyed years of teaching at the university and high school levels, but volunteering as a literacy tutor at the International Institute has been one of the most rewarding teaching experiences of my life.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
May 9, 2012
The International Institute is an amazing organization, and I am proud to be able to say that I help. It is an invaluable asset for the refugees it serves, and it plays a significant role in the development of vibrant international community in the south side. Even though I have just started volunteering at the Institute as a teacher's aide, I already feel as though I am a valuable member of the organization. The classroom teacher goes out of his way to make sure that I am an integral part of the daily plan. Whether I am working in the classroom helping students learn about our Constitution, our government, or our geography or giving students practice citizenship interviews or tutoring students one-on-one, the classroom teacher always makes sure that I am keeping busy. I will always remember what it was like seeing a student return to school after passing the citizenship interview. I had given this student a practice interview the week before the actual one. I had worked with him on a one-on-one basis, reviewing all of the questions he struggled with, and when he passed I felt proud--proud to be a part of his success. The workers at the Institute want me to feel welcome. They want to make sure that I feel like my time is valued and not wasted. Most importantly, though, for three hours every week they provide me with the opportunity to help refugees work towards a new life, and that is all that I really want out of volunteering and what I think volunteering is all about.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
February 22, 2011
Hundreds of Education students from Meramec Community College tutored at the International Institute for many years. They began this experience because they observed in traditional K12 Schools that ESL students were being marginalized by their teachers. This experience with the Institute gave them the opportunity to work with students from other countries before they got into their own classroom and gave them both sensitivity and awareness. Communications students at Meramec went on field trips with II clients as well to learn about communication among cultures. Our partnership with the Institute has given our students real world experience that they will never forget.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Meramec students now understand what it's like to be an immigrant or refuge and navigate a new culture.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Fund their after school tutoring program again.
February 20, 2011
Spent summer volunteering. Built my ELL teaching strategies. Helped me see the challenges facing refugees and immigrants when they enter the U.S. Made me more passionate about public education, especially in schools that serve refugee and immigrant families.
People here were wonderful.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my teaching career.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
make the process to get volunteers in and helping more smooth and efficient. Buy them more technology access!
February 15, 2011
St Louis is fortunate to have the International Institute that provides so many wonderful services to the public from teaching English to helping families adjust to our region. Thanks for all you do!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
attended their annual International Fair
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
have them their use model throughout the US.
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