Most of our African immigrant and refugee families come from countries where English is a 2nd, 3rd language or not spoken at all. We have found that most of the parents are not able to communicate in English at all upon their arrival in the USA. Compared to the education system in the United States, they come from countries where the education system operates far differently. Some parents also struggle because they did not have a chance to go to school due to political instability.
 

 

With the language barriers, immigrant and refugee parents find it hard to fit into their new communities. Not only does this make it harder for them to find employment opportunities, but language barriers also make it difficult to access Health and Human Services.

 

ARISE and Shine offers literacy services to African immigrant and refugee families to eliminate linguistic barriers.