Opening
the Lines of
Communication

by Marilyn Breslow

Maria Hernandez, RIS Immigrant Community Liaison, felt a sense of accomplishment upon witnessing sixteen men and women graduate from the Richmond Police Hispanic Citizens Academy this spring. (More)

Inspiration For Hampton's Bhutanese Women

By Randi Akers

The program ended with a special guest presenter, Dr. Mithal Abd Ali, a biochemist from Iraq who has done cancer research. She discussed how education not only helped her gain self-confidence, but also gave her the foundation for a successful career. Dr. Abd Ali encouraged the attendees to recognize that they can use their hardships as a source of motivation. She challenged the young women to create a community group to embrace and empower other females within their community. (More)

Journey
to an
Open Mind

By Jennifer Spangler, M.S.

I have heard it said that it takes several nudges before an individual changes a belief or core value. My first nudge occurred when my family moved to the Middle East. My first visit to Dubai in 1996 was shocking. My only experience with Middle Eastern culture was what I had seen on television. I arrived in the airport to what felt like a costume party. The traditional clothing worn by Emiratis made me very aware of my visit visa status. I was a foreigner for the first time in my life. (More)

Fans of RIS . . .

Jennifer Spangler, a member of the Community Board of Richmond RIS, has created a Facebook page for Refugee and Immigration Services.
(Visit Facebook)

Alice Duehl:
Empowering Others
to do Great Things

By Sarah Alice Coleman
and
Mary Beth Pizzino

When Alice Duehl first volunteered to be an ESL tutor for a newly resettled Vietnamese family in Roanoke, Virginia, she had no idea that this would be the first step in a 28-year-long career working with refugees. But then, shortly after she became involved as a volunteer, an ad for a part-time Education Coordinator position appeared in the newspaper. Alice knew right away that this was just the job for her. (More)

RIS Lead School Liaison Receives Award from Henrico County Public Schools

by Carol McElhinney

Cao Kim has been RIS school liaison since 1991, working with newly arrived refugee and immigrant families and with the four area school systems to ease the adjustment of incoming students and to help them succeed in school. (More)

October 22
World Fusion Event

Richmond Country Club

by Alison Spillane

On Friday, October 22^nd at 6:00 P.M., a silent auction will be accompanied by entertainment provided by DJ Williams Projekt. Hors d'oeuvres and refreshments will be available while guests mingle throughout two large banquet rooms of the Richmond Country Club. (More)

ESOL Picnic in Newport News

by Lindsay Keeler

On May 22, Newport News Park was the scene of a picnic bringing together people from Newport News' Hidenwood Elementary School and the Hampton office of Refugee and Immigration Services (HRIS). A good time was had by the students, their parents and extended families as well as school and HRIS staff plus their families and friends. (More)