Announcement
What’s more American than baseball, burgers, and cotton candy? Sharing the experience with friends! On September 29, the International Rescue Committee in Silver Spring invited 50 clients, family mentors, and staff to the Nationals baseball game in Washington, DC for an evening of family fun. For many of the refugee families, this was the first sporting event they attended in the United States. The game was a great opportunity to build community, eat burgers and fries from Shake Shack, and provide a break from the stress of Back-to-School season.
Lauren Frank and Nicole Compton attended the game with Samuel and Elina and their four children. As participants in the Family Mentor Program in Silver Spring, Lauren and Nicole have been mentoring the family for the past three months. As mentors, they practice English with the parents, assist the children with their homework, help schedule doctor and other appointments, and most importantly act as a friend to the family. The baseball game provided a chance to share a slice of American culture. “You have never seen JOY until you get to witness kids go to the stadium and baseball game for the first time,” says Lauren. “The children’s eyes were huge and sparkling the entire time. It was also their first time trying cotton candy, which as you can imagine was a huge hit. I’m pretty sure the mother liked it more than the kids!”
IRC clients Augustin, Justine, and Laurence enjoy cotton candy at the baseball game.
Photo: Nicole Compton
IRC clients Justine and Laurence enjoying the baseball game with Family Mentor Nicole Compton
Photo: Nicole Compton
Adjusting to life in the U.S. has been difficult, but participating in community events like the baseball game has made the family feel more at home in America. “I think the most important part of getting out to events and activities is the ability for the family to feel less isolated,” says Lauren. “Right now they are engrossed in the difficult day-to-day challenges of learning English and paying the bills, so getting to take a break from all of that and just have fun here in America is really important.”
The Family Mentor Program makes it possible for the IRC in Silver Spring to extend a helping hand for a longer period of time and help refugee families create a network of support to more easily interact with the local community. Mentors commit to meeting with families for two-hours per week for a minimum of six months. “I would highly encourage families to get involved and volunteer as mentors together,” says Lauren. “If you already have kids that you are taking to the park or playing it can be such an easy way to incorporate another family that might not otherwise have the ability to experience those activities.”
Interested in participating in the Family Mentor Program? Contact Family Mentor Program Coordinator Samantha Musson at [email protected].