Irish ‘hoolie’ to help program for immigrants, refugees

Submitted on March 06, 2008

Send to friendAs Irish Americans recall their immigrant past this month, a Catholic family that came here in 1994 will perform at an event to raise funds for immigrants and refugees from other lands learn English. The Irish Xiles, a Dublin band made up of four members of the Duffy family, will play Irish ballads at an Irish "hoolie," or party, from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 16, at the Dubliner, 1025 Washington Ave. in Downtown St. Louis. Proceeds will benefit the Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Program, a nonprofit program dedicated to teaching English to immigrants and refugees. The program was founded in 1995 by Sister Elise Silvestri, SSND, to help women from other countries make a new life. Starting with six Vietnamese students, it later reached out to other cultures. Eventually it was sponsored by the Notre Dame Ministry Corp. By 2006, the program had helped more than 300 women from 20 countries. It then became a nonprofit program with an independent board of directors. Since then some 50 volunteer teachers have helped more than 60 women from 15 countries increase English and practical living skills. The students have come from Afghanistan, Albania, Benin, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Congo, Croatia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Haiti, Iraq, Iran, Kosovo, Kurdistan, Liberia, Mexico, Russia, Somalia, Sierra Leone, South Korea, Sudan and Vietnam. The mission, said Cynthia F. Biehle, secretary of the board and a member of St. Joseph Parish in Manchester, is "to increase the independence and reduce the isolation of immigrant and refugee women by teaching them basic English and practical living skills in the security of their own homes." Many of the women stay at home with their children while their husbands go to work and have little opportunity to learn English or connect with the community, Biehle said. "Our goal is to help them become independent members of the community, able to survive in their new world." The volunteer teachers attend a training program and receive a curriculum and materials. Sometimes, Biehle said, the volunteers accompany their students as they become U.S.citizens during a swearing-in ceremony. Students also go on field trips to places such as the zoo or Missouri Botanical Garden and to the post office and supermarket to learn about commerce. They are taught how to follow a calendar, how to fill out applications and other skills. The program focuses on helping the students function with confidence, handle emergency and medical situations, understand their rights in cases of domestic violence, obtain employment and receive U.S. citizenship. Volunteers are asked to commit to helping a student for a year, spending an hour with that student twice a week. "It is rewarding because I can see a student make decisions for herself and feel comfortable in her environment. She’s much happier and can make contributions to her family and community, make new friends and find a life for herself," Biehle said. Some of the women "have been through terrible situations. Some have lost family members in wars. Some come her by themselves with very little money. You have to respect the courage and strength that they show," she said. Declan Duffy, who works for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul St. Louis Council, said the "hoolie" will be family friendly. In a "hoolie," he said, people in the audience are invited to sing or tell a story. Tickets are $5, which covers admission, entertainment and appetizers. A silent auction will be held. The Duffy family just finished their third CD, which was recorded live. For tickets call (314) 771-1104. For information or to volunteer with the Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Program see www.irwp.net or call (314) 771-1104.