Citizenship and Integration Grant Program Promising Practices
: (U.S. Citizenship)
Innovative Instruction – Delivery and Content
- Developed a “Telephone Conversation Partners” program with a telephone-based curriculum to provide structured citizenship learning and interview practice outside the classroom. View case study
- Established specialized citizenship-focused ESL classes for seniors in different ethnic groups, including some classes at local apartment complexes where large groups of elderly permanent residents live.
- Established specialized ESL/civics classes for stay-at-home moms held in the homes of the students.
- Loaned students MP3 players that allow them to listen to the 100 Civics Questions and Answers and watch The USCIS Naturalization Interview and Test video during their free time.View case study
- Recorded mock interviews with each citizenship student. The class then reviewed the video and provided feedback to improve each student’s performance.
- Implemented a civic integration component as part of a citizenship class curriculum. Examples include having students apply for a library card and then presenting on their experiences in class or visiting a historical landmark and describing their visit and what they learned. This encourages students to practice their English skills and to be an active member of their community.View case study
- Established a “class constitution” to teach students about the U.S. Constitution, laws, and voting. The students vote to enact laws and amendments to their class constitution, such as “arrive to class on time” and “no cell phone use during class.”View case study
Celebrating Success
- Held a celebration for students who recently passed their naturalization test. Other students gained confidence by hearing a first-hand account of the test and seeing their classmates succeed.View case study
- Organized a “Citizenship Gala” to celebrate students’ accomplishments and provided teachers and volunteers with appreciation certificates signed by the Governor.
Promotion and Outreach
- Held a “Path to Citizenship” event in collaboration with the local USCIS office. Presenters discussed citizenship eligibility requirements and the naturalization process. More than 140 permanent residents attended.
- Played citizenship educational videos in office waiting rooms. Clients were then asked to “tell ten more” and spread the word about the organization’s citizenship services. Through this effort alone, the organization was able to reach more than 3,000 potential clients in the first six months of the grant period.
Engaging the Receiving Community
- Established an immigrant story-telling program at the local library entitled, “From Russia with Love” to educate local citizens on the Russian immigrant community.
- Held town hall meetings with the local community to promote immigrant integration as a two-way street.
- Established a partnership with the local police department on a civic engagement initiative to help the immigrant population set up neighborhood crime watch programs.
- Established a civics tutoring program utilizing local high school students as volunteer tutors.
Addressing Barriers to Citizenship
- Worked with residence coordinators to establish citizenship classes in low-income housing communities where a number of permanent residents live. This eliminates transportation as a major barrier to attending class.View case study
Civic Engagement
- Provided workshops focusing on civic engagement with an emphasis on jury duty and voting.
Utilizing Volunteers
- Matched volunteers with students to participate in “Coffee Talk,” an opportunity for students to practice English conversation skills at area coffee shops that have donated free coupons.
- Established a partnership with a local university to recruit student teacher volunteers to assist with citizenship instruction.View case study
- Partnered with the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), a national volunteer program for adults aged 55 and over. Retired and senior volunteers offer the program a flexible schedule and a wealth of knowledge in a variety of areas.
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