A website to try!

This week, Emily Griffith Technical College English teacher Katelyn Krygowski launched her new website, Learn English with Katelyn. Take a look around at the lessons and resources that will help you in your teaching or that will help your student with self-study.

https://learnenglishwithkatelyn.com/

Housing resource your student may need

I'm passing along information about The Village Institute's new single moms' housing program.

Applications and photos of the apartments can be found HERE. Priority will be given to applications received by the end of next week. Refugee, immigrant, and asylee single mom families are welcome to apply. For families in urgent need of housing who are not interested in the longer term programming, please indicate that in the application. 

Forms can be filled in on paper, in the Word Document, or in the online form. Families will be asked to pay rent, but we have had some generous donations to help subsidize the first few months. Please let me know if you have any questions, and feel free to refer families who would be interested.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions. We are also more than happy to discuss ways our team and community of volunteers might support ongoing initiatives. We have a lot of open space right now, with our childcare program on hold, and would love to make use of it in meaningful ways for our community.

Ellie Adelman

Founder, The Village Institute

Investing in the power of refugee women

 

If your in-home student has a baby

The Office of Early Childhood shared this site for anyone in need of baby supplies, including the link below to a document showing all emergency baby supply pickup locations – mostly family resource centers:

https://dcfs.my.salesforce.com/sfc/p/#410000012srR/a/4N000000AHM4/Nh2y6cSKXRv5P_Zjr1uEq412EaFNXHgr94uvpr303So

These supplies are part of a $3 million delivery of infant supplies to Colorado from FEMA, 8,200 cases of Formula, 23,260 packages of diapers, 53,167 packages of wipes. The supplies will be distributed through 41 statewide locations of  food banks and family resource centers.

Some resources for teaching from afar

Check out this post from the ProLiteracy website: https://www.proliteracy.org/health
The post lists some of the basics you and your student need to get started for continuing lessons when you can't be in the same place together, including different free platforms and how to get connected.
Proliteracy also has a library of free videos to help you with many different aspects of teaching. You can check those out here: https://intercambio.org/curriculum-and-resources/videos/

The Center For Applied Linguistics has a one-hour video to help you, 9 Language Learning Activities at Home. You can watch the video on YouTube and download the accompanying presentation by clicking here.

Some resources for in-home tutors

From the Denver Public Library:

DPL Plaza staff are now offering free conversation groups online! Currently they're Tues/Thursdays at noon, but we may expand this soon so check denverlibrary.org/STIR for updates/links to access classes. There's also a phone-in option. Please share with anyone who might be interested!

We'll also be offering remote appointments one-on-one to help with English, citizenship study, and homework questions. More info on that coming soon! 

From the Boulder District Attorney's Office:

The Community Protection Division of the District Attorney’s Office advises community members to be alert to stimulus scams and is providing the following information as a quick reference guide to help protect the community against stimulus related scams.  Please share your networks.    

Some of the key suggestions to help prevent losing money or personal information to the scams:

• You will not need to verify any information to receive stimulus money

• You will not have to pay any fees to receive stimulus money

• No government agency will send messages asking you to fill out information to receive or about stimulus money

• No government agency will require you to go online or call after receiving your stimulus money, nor require you to send any portion of the money back to them

• Do not click on links in unsolicited emails, or from sources you don’t know: these can lead to fake websites or even steal personal information from your computer.

• Do your homework before donating: verify that a charitable organization is legitimate by contacting the Colorado Secretary of State’s office or CPD.

The District Attorney’s Office remains committed to serving and protecting the community 24/7 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The CPD is active and available to assist: call the CPD at 303-441-3700 with questions or to report a scam, or send an email to: daconsumer@bouldercounty.org.

Thank you.  Best –

Michael Dougherty

District Attorney

Food distribution information for students

As a reminder, both Denver Public Schools and Aurora Public Schools are continuing food distribution for students and parents.  Here is the link to the APS website for more information. DPS is also going to begin food distribution by bus at additional sites starting this week. The easiest way to find the locations and details for that as well as the current grab and go locations is to check the DPS website: Here is the link.

Food distribution for those in need through Denver Food Rescue
Denver Food Rescue will be sharing the latest information about their programs and resources they've seen in the Denver Metro area to support healthy food access. Join them for a livestream this Friday, April10  at 1:30pm to learn where people can access food and how you can help!

As you know, getting the word out about food resources is especially crucial now with COVID-19. This livestream may be a good chance to also chat in questions and have them answered live.

Find their post (even set a reminder!) on their Facebook page, @denverfoodrescue. You can also check out their website for more food resources around Denver (https://denverfoodrescue.org).

For those pursuing citizenship
Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains is excited to be able to offer legal assistance with the naturalization process REMOTELY during the COVID-19 outbreak.  Though our office is currently closed and we cannot meet with applicants in person, LFSRM has the ability to assist eligible lawful permanent residents with naturalization from the comfort of their own homes using Citizenshipworks, video/telephonic conferencing, and phone/email/text.  Please share this information with your clients, patients, families, and community members.

Interested lawful permanent residences need to create an account on Citizenshipworks and follow the prompts to add your information.  Here is a link to the website where you can create an account and complete your information. https://www.citizenshipworks.org/portal/LFS - Simply click on this link and go to “Start Your Application Now”. 

·         Once you create an account on Citizenshipworks, an attorney or DOJ accredited representative from LFSRM will contact you by text or email to confirm we received your inquiry about help applying for naturalization. 

o   If you have not received an email or text message from us within (2) days of creating your account, please reach out to Anastasia DelCarpio at anastasia.delcarpio@lfsrm.org or you can call or text her google voice account: 720-316-5621.

·         Once you complete at least 90% of your information, we will offer you an appointment to meet with an attorney or DOJ accredited representative from LFSRM over video or telephone. Please note that you must complete at least 90% of your information on Citizenshipworks *before* LFSRM will schedule you a virtual appointment. 
·         If you don’t know all of your information, or don’t understand a question, or don’t know how to finish filling out your information in Citizenshipworks: you can contact Citizenshipworks for technical assistance or you can reach out to LFSRM with any questions or concerns at anastasia.delcarpio@lfsrm.org or 720-316-5621 (text or phone call).

Please scan or take a clear photograph of the following documents and “upload” them into your Citizenshipworks account:

·         Green Card (front and back)
·         Colorado ID/Driver’s License (front and back)
·         If you receive benefits like Food Stamps or Medicaid, I need you to bring your 2019/2020 ELIGIBLITY LETTER, showing you were granted the benefit within the last 6 months.  Also scan and upload copy of your most recent tax return (just the first TWO pages of your FEDERAL tax return is fine).

You will also need the following documents to complete your naturalization appointment, but you do NOT need to scan and upload them.  Instead, be sure to gather them so you have them ready for an appointment with the attorney/DOJ Accredited Representative from LFSRM:

·         Social Security Card
·         $50 (per person) – check, money order, or credit card ***LFSRM never turns applicants away for inability to pay.  We recognize many folks have lost their employment and are struggling to pay essential bills.  Please do not hesitate to sign up for our services, even if you are not able to pay this $50.00 fee.***
·         All current and expired passports and travel documents
·         If you have ever applied for citizenship before, information about your previous N-400 application, including: a copy of the application you filed before; a copy of the decision notice denying your naturalization application; a copy of any and all Forms N-648 (doctor’s form) that you filed before.
·         If you have received any traffic citations, please go to the DMV and get your “MOTOR VEHICLE RECORD”  ***DMV offices are NOT currently open due to the COVID-19 virus.  You can request a copy online or by mail: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dmv/motor-vehicle-record***
·         If you have ever been arrested and had to go to court at any point in your life – I need you to go to the courthouse and get a “CERTIFIED DISPOSITION” and a “CERTIFIED REGISTER OF ACTIONS” for each case.  ***Courthouse records departments may not be currently open due to the COVID-19 virus.  Additionally, if the records department is open, you may be able to make the request online or over the phone.  Please call the court before you leave your house, and if possible request your documents via phone, mail, or email.***
·      If you were ever arrested, I need you to go to the police who arrested your and get an “ARREST RECORD” for each arrest.  ***Records departments may not be currently open due to the COVID-19 virus.  Additionally, if the records department is open, you may be able to make the request online or over the phone.  Please call the police/courthouse before you leave your house, and if possible request your documents via phone, mail, or email.***
·      ****$725.00 filing fee – check, money order or credit card, made out to US DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY**** (You only need this if you do not qualify for a fee waiver.  We will screen you to determine if you qualify for a fee waiver at the appointment)
·       If you have a medical condition that makes you unable to learn or demonstrate English and/or the civics information, please bring a Form N-648 that has been completed by your doctor. **If you believe you need a Form N-648, please reach out to Anastasia directly at 720-316-5621 (text or phone call) or anastasia.delcarpio@lfsrm.org.  We are not currently accepting new N-648 cases, but hope to re-open our N-648 assistance again soon. **
·       If you have a dependent spouse or child(ren) who are under the age of 18 who did not live with you full time at any point during the last five years, then you need to bring

o    Birth certificates for all children; AND

o   Evidence of your financial support including but not limited to money transfer receipts or a report from Western Union/Ria/Money Gram etc. showing all money sent, affidavits from family or friends; if there is a court order requiring you to pay child support please bring evidence that you have complied with any court or government order

o   Make sure any letters include this EXACT language: I, _________(name)___________________________, hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the above statements are true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief. 

·   If you have ever failed to file an income tax return since you became a Lawful Permanent Resident, then bring:
·         All correspondence with the IRS regarding your failure to file.
·         A copy of your tax return for the last five years – 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
·         If you owe any Federal, state or local taxes (this includes any monthly payment plans), then bring:

o   A signed agreement from the IRS or state or local tax office showing that you have filed a tax return and arranged to pay the taxes you owe

·         Documentation from the IRS or state or local tax office showing the current status of your repayment program.

o   NOTE: if you pay ALL the money you owe in taxes BEFORE the appointment, you do not need to bring these documents.

·        If you have taken any trips outside the United States that lasted 6 months or more since becoming a Lawful  Permanent Resident, then bring:

o   Evidence that you (and your family) continued to live, work and/or keep ties to the United States, including but limited to :

§  An IRS tax return “transcript” or an IRS-certified tax return listing tax information for the last 5 years (or for the last 3 years if you are applying on the basis of marriage to a U.S. citizen).

§  Rent or mortgage payments and pay stubs

o   Also all reentry permits and travel documents

o   Documents explaining why your trip was so long

o   Travel itineraries showing you booked a return flight at the start of the trip

o   Exact dates of travel

·         If you are applying for naturalization on the basis of marriage to a U.S. citizen then bring:

o   Proof of your spouse’s US citizenship – US birth certificate or US Naturalization Certificate

o   your current marriage certificate

o   Proof of you have been married for the last three years, including but not limited to: tax returns, bank accounts, car registration or title information

·         If you have ever been married before, then bring:

o   Proof that all earlier marriages ended (certified divorce decree, death certificate, etc.)

·         A list of all the places you have worked for the last 5 years (Employer name, address, and the dates you started and stopped working)
·         A list of all the places you have lived for the last 5 years, including date you moved in and date you moved out

If you have any questions, please feel free to email or call.  Thank you.

Anastasia DelCarpio

Program Attorney

Immigration Legal Services

Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains

1600 Downing Street, Suite 600

Denver, CO 80218

303-389-2342 – office

720-316-5621 – work cell

Internal: ext. 5142

anastasia.delcarpio@lfsrm.org

Time to report MARCH 2020 tutoring participation time

Good morning, my dear tutors!

I hope you are all well, and in robust health, physically and mentally. Is everyone holding up OK?

I'm still in St. Petersburg, Florida. My mom's health took a frightening turn and went from bad to critical five days after I got here, but she has been getting better every day. She was hospitalized for a total of five weeks. She's home now, but still has a long way to go before she can live independently. Thank you to everyone who so kindly reached out to me to check on my mom and me over the last month. You have no idea how much that meant.

Our school, like all DPS schools, has staff working remotely indefinitely. Yesterday was the final day of my FMLA leave, so I'm back at work but I'll continue to do that from Florida for as long as I need to be here. Please keep in mind that I'm in a different time zone (two hours later than you) and I'm still caring for my mom, so be patient when trying to reach me.

This week, I'll work on pulling together some blog posts and looking for helpful resources for current and future lesson ideas for you. I know some of you are teaching remotely--hooray!

Here is the reporting link for March hours: https://forms.gle/gsifmfdBh5YMKEiW6

I realize most of you won't have hours to report because of the COVID-19 social distancing and stay-at-home order. That's OK--just make a note of that on the report! Also, a reminder that student interaction time includes: Face-to-face meeting, telephone, texting, Skype/Zoom/Google Hangouts/Facetime, field trips, shopping or appointments together, etc. If it involved you interacting with your student for English or life skills, it counts.

 

I was planning to remind you all that we have an excellent discussion board platform on Moodle, but, uh, I don't know my password. It's back in Denver on my desk. If you still have the instructions in a previous email, I believe you can still sign up and use the discussion boards. The EGTC staff that manages the platform is kind of slammed right now as all EGTC classes have gone online as of yesterday, so I'm planning to leave them alone for the time being.

I will be blogging lesson ideas and other content over at cresltutors.blogspot.com in the coming weeks, so check in there from time to time to see what's new. Also, if you recently wrote an essay about your tutoring experience or you would like to share a lesson or reflection, send the content to me and I'll post it there if it's appropriate.

That's all I have for this morning. You can reach me by email if need be.

Please take care of yourselves and those close to you. I think we're all learning how precious our connections are.