Louisville Refugee Elder Program Back in Session!

After a much deserved break all of the elders returned to class today! Students were excited to see each other after an extended break and were eager to return to their classes.

There was also a small birthday celebration at the program in honor of all the students who celebrated birthdays in the month of December and January. Everyone who had a birthday during the break received a cupcake with a picture of their home country's flag while classmates sang them Happy Birthday. The pictures below show some of the students proudly displaying their cupcakes.

Jose V. holding his cupcake with the Cuban flag. 

Ler holding his cupcake with the Burmese flag. 

Hari holding his cupcake with the Bhutanese flag.

Thanks for reading! Check back to keep updated about events and activities within the program. 

Louisville Elder Program Shutterfly Update

The Louisville Elder Program Shutterfly account has been updated with lots of new resources that volunteers and mentors can now access. These albums contain some basic lesson plans, maps, and various other resources that could be beneficial to use when mentoring or working with students. 

Shutterfly is also a great way to check out photos of some of the past events in the program. Please click on the link below to check it out!

https://louisvillerefugeeelderprogram.shutterfly.com/

Thanks for reading!

Winter Break!

The Louisville Refugee Elder Program is currently on Winter Break until Tuesday, February 3rd! Students are currently on a well deserved break while everyone at the program is planning activities and events for class in the spring. Stay tuned to learn more about the events and activities taking place this spring at the Louisville Refugee Elder Program!

Elder Program Potluck

Last Thursday, December 11th, was the last day of the Louisville Refugee Elder Program until February 2015. The program is dismissing for winter break, and students brought in food for a large potluck to celebrate the upcoming break and winter season. Most of these dishes were from student's home countries, and allowed students, volunteers, and teachers to try different types of food that they might not have tried previously.  Also as a special treat, college students from the University of Louisville's Theater Department put on a performance for all of the students to enjoy.

Students watched as theater students performed a play. The play utilized interviews and personal narratives that the Elder Program students has provided a few weeks earlier.

Ler Htoonie and volunteer Bonnie.

Only some of the delicious food brought in by students for the potluck. There was so much food and everyone left very full!

After the meal, many students decided to play a few rounds of BINGO.

The potluck was a wonderful way to end a great year at the Louisville Refugee Elder Program. Here is to 2015!

Our Amazon.com Wishlist is Updated!

Just a quick post to let everyone know that the Amazon.com wishlist for the Refugee Elder Program has been updated! Just click the Amazon.com icon over on the right of the screen to see the current items on our list. Thank you for your continued support!

Visit to the Carnegie Center 

On Thursday, November 13th, everyone from the Louisville Refugee Elder Program visited the Carnegie Center for Art and History in New Albany, Indiana. During this visit, students of the  program saw an exhibition of elaborate quilts by artist Penny Sisto.

Both of the above quilts were created by artist Penny Sisto.

Penny spoke to everyone about both her artwork, as well as her past life experiences and the influences that these experiences have had on her art.

Penny Sisto speaking to everyone in the Refugee Elder Program about her quilt pieces. 

Looking at Penny's artwork was a wonderful experience, and everyone on the program really seemed to enjoy themselves!

Musa standing in front of one of Penny Sisto's quilts.

Abby and Pah standing in front of some of Penny's pieces.

Students listening to Penny as she speaks about her art.

The Louisville Refugee Elder Program in front of the Carnegie Center.

Congratulations New Citizens!

On Wednesday two students from the Louisville Refugee Elder Program became United States citizens! We are so happy and proud of them both!

Pah N. and Pah L. standing with their certificates after the ceremony.

Abby and Sara from the Refugee Elder Program celebrating with Pah L. and her family.

Pah L. standing with her family and the man who led the citizenship ceremony.

Pah N/ standing with his certificate after the ceremony.

Congratulations! Everyone at the Louisville Refugee Elder Program is so happy for you both!