CLACS to Host Free Workshops for Local Immigrants

March 23, 2009

St. John’s University’s Committee for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS) is offering a series of free workshops on various educational topics to benefit immigrants and their families.  In addition, CLACS will offer free ESL (English as Second Language) classes at various levels on Wednesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings through June.

The workshops are conducted by St. John’s scholars affiliated with CLACS who are experts and renowned in their respective fields.  The ESL classes will be taught at the University’s Queens Campus by qualified ESL instructors with the assistance of St. John’s graduate student volunteers.

“We have a wonderful collection of professional speakers who will bring a wealth of experience and expertise to our workshops,” said Dr. Alina Camacho-Gingerich, St. John’s University Professor and Chair of CLACS. “And, our ESL classes provide another great opportunity to benefit those immigrants who need our assistance in the community.”

These workshops and classes are made possible thanks to a grant CLACS has received from the Verizon Foundation. The dates, times and locations of the free CLACS workshops offered to the community are indicated below:

Thursday, March 26
“The Changing Face of New York City: Demographic Data about Immigrants and Implications for the Community”
Featuring Dr. Clover Hall
Zakeera Ahmed, Partnership Specialist for the 2010 Census will attend and provide Fact Sheets, brochures, and other related materials.
Bent Hall, Rm. 101B, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 4
“Psychological Adjustment and the Immigration Experience”
Featuring Dr. Rafael Javier
Carnesecca Arena, President’s Room, 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, April 8- CHANGED to Thursday, May 7
“The Use and Abuse of DNA in Immigration Cases”
Featuring Janice Villiers, Esq.
Bent Hall, Rm. 277A, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 15
“Rights for Immigrant Survivors of Violence”
Featuring Dr. Roberta Villalon
Location and Time:
Sullivan Hall, Rm. 315, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 30
“Immigration and the Global Labor Market”
Featuring Dr. Anthony Gabb
Bent Hall, Rm. 101A, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 16
“How to Navigate the Web and Grant Writing”
Featuring Dr. Elaine Carey
Marillac Hall, Rm. 314, 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, May 20
“Surviving the College Years”
Featuring Dr. Yvonne Pratt-Johnson
Carnesecca Arena, President’s Room, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 30
“Navigating Schools: Parents as Advocates for their Children”
Featuring Dr. Julie Carter
Marillac Hall, Rm 314, 10:00am

Wednesday, June 17
“How to Apply for a Grant Online”
Featuring Mr. Jared Littman
Location and Time, TBA

In addition, the free English as a Second Languages Classes (ESL) are indicated below. These classes will also be held at St. John’s University’s Queens Campus.

April 1 - Marillac Hall, Rm. 111A  6-7:30 p.m.

April 2 - Marillac Hall, Rm. 111A  6-7:30 p.m.

April 8 - Marillac Hall, Rm. 111A  6-7:30 p.m.

April 16 - Marillac Hall, Rm. 111A  6-7:30 p.m.

April 18 - Marillac Hall, Rm. 237  10 a.m.-12 p.m.

April 22 - Marillac Hall, Rm. 111A  6-7:30 p.m.

April 23 - Marillac Hall, Rm. 111A  6-7:30 p.m.

May 2 - Marillac Hall, Rm. 237  10 a.m.-12 p.m.

May 13 - Marillac Hall, Rm. 111A  6-7:30 p.m.

May 14 - Marillac Hall, Rm. 111A  6-7:30 p.m.

For additional information on the programs, please contact Dr. Alina Camacho-Gingerich, Chair of CLACS, at 718-990-1932 or camachoa@stjohns.edu. For registration, locations and dates, contact her assistant, Brittany Wilkinson at 718-990-5829 or clacs@stjohns.edu.

Interested media representatives can call Dominic Scianna, Assistant Vice President for Media Relations at St. John’s University by calling (718) 990-6185 or e-mail inquiries to sciannad@stjohns.edu. For the latest news and information regarding St. John’s visit the University web site at www.stjohns.edu/news.