Water For Ishmael

Several years ago, I volunteered in Water for Ishmael's sewing class. I loved the opportunity to share something I enjoy so much!
How to use a sewing machine was always the first lesson. Afterward, class members began sewing projects - useful items each woman could take home, enjoy, and show her family. Projects ranged from easy, for women beginning to sew, to more challenging as each developed greater skills.
The class offered fabulous opportunities to practice English and to connect with each other in a safe place. There was strong building of community as we all worked on projects - laughing, listening, and problem solving - together!

Years back, I volunteered in the baby nursery. I held and rocked babies, while their mothers attended classes to learn English as a second language, as well as become familiar with our ways and culture. I can’t imagine being in a foreign country, not knowing the language, and leaving my baby with women I don’t know. By the time I came on the scene, it was evident that those who cared for these babies were wonderful at making the mothers feel comfortable. I was hooked.

When the school needed more helpful hands in the young children’s class, I volunteered there for a year. I was in awe, watching the teachers help the children learn English in ways that were fun and delightful. Witnessing the progress impressed me so much, I told everyone I knew.

When asked if I would be interested in leading a Conversational English elective class for women, I was nervous. I felt ill-equipped. But the school staff was reassuring, and generous with helpful tips and literature. It was also obvious to me that the staff has a love for the women they are there to teach and serve. That drew me in, and made me want to be a part of it.

The connections made with my students were immediate, and immediately fulfilling. These women are warm, appreciative, brave, and so much fun. I look forward to conversing and laughing each week in class, and I relish our times together outside the classroom. I may be helping them understand English, but they are helping me more fully understand life.

The added game-changing issue of watching this organization quickly come up with inventive, safe, effective ways to continue helping our students and their families during a pandemic has left me impressed beyond words.

I’m abundantly thankful for Water for Ishmael’s love-filled work, and for the opportunity to be involved.

Water for Ishmael exists to advocate for the refugee and immigrant in our neighborhoods. Indeed, they offer English as a second language, but they offer community and a safe place to connect and belong in their city.

Water for Ishmael offers citizenship classes, classes for women and men and programming for children.
If you are looking to help someone connect and thrive in the community, there is no better place to welcome the stranger.

Water For Ishmael is a great group helping people learn English and how to succeed in American culture.

My family first had a " conversation partner" from China and we became so close that he called us his American Mom and Dad and we just attended his wedding in China in January as he truly will be part of our family forever. I also taught in their women's program for 8 years and saw first hand how lives of these immigrants were changed- from seeing a 60 year old woman write her name for the first time to assisting other women to pass the English fluency test to go to Graduate school in the USA ---and everything in-between. This is an organization that truly changes the trajectory of the lives of the immigrants that are blessed to be involved in.

This is a unique and caring organization that works hard to meet the various needs, both educational, emotional, and physical of internationals! I recommend it very highly!