Empowering Immigrant & Refugee Women through English Education

St. Louis is a city with a great cultural diversity, both from its first years of immigration from Europe in the 19^th and 20^th centuries to a recent history of refugee resettlement.  Perhaps you have seen this diversity within your own neighborhood.

We would like to introduce Immigrant & Refugee Women’s Program (IRWP) to the Patch community.  IRWP is an independent, non-profit organization based in South City, St. Louis.  Through our volunteers, immigrant and refugee women from all over the world are given the chance to receive English and life skills education in the security of their own homes.  Our students are unable to attend traditional English classes due to childcare, transportation issues, physical challenges, and work schedules.  IRWP’s in-home tutoring provides the skills and self-confidence needed for them to reduce their isolation and become independent and active members of the community.

In 2011, 147 students participated in the program, being taught by 138 volunteers.  Students came from 29 areas of origin, such as Afghanistan, Burma, Iraq, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Bosnia.  Since the program’s inception in 1995, women from over 50 countries have been served! 

Our volunteers are as diverse as the students that they help.  No prior teaching background or experience is necessary to volunteer – all materials, lesson plans, training and support are provided by IRWP.  Classes are held one hour, twice a week in the student’s home and are scheduled around the volunteer’s availability and location. Each volunteer actively participates in the process of finding the perfect student to work with.  We currently have 70 students waiting for a teacher; most of these live in the Affton and Mehlville neighborhoods and the surrounding areas of St. Louis City. 

For more information on IRWP, volunteering, and other ways you can help, please call us any time at (314) 771-1104; email program@irwp.net ; or visit our website at www.irwp.net.  We will also have a booth at the upcoming Festival of Nations being held in Tower Grove Park on August 25^th and 26^th.  Come on out for a culturally enriching and fun experience and stop by our booth, located in the “Community Information” area of the Festival.  We would love to meet more members of the community!  IRWP staff and volunteer teachers will be on hand all weekend to answer questions and provide information on the program.  We look forward to seeing you!