2013 annual report

2013 Annual Report

Since 1981, International House

has served the Charlotte community

by actively promoting global

diversity, tearing down cultural

barriers, and helping immigrants integrate successfully into our

community.

An Extraordinary YearInternational House is indeed the place where Charlotte welcomes the world. In 2013, refugees and immigrants continued to flock through our doors where they found compassionate staff who helped them learn English, become U.S. citizens, or adapt to life in a new country. This past year, hundreds of international visitors also came to Charlotte to connect with their professional peers through our citizen diplomacy program, and many native Charlotteans gained new friends and a global perspective through participating in our cultural programs.

International House offers a hand up, not a hand out. With our support, hard-working men and women find new opportunities for a better life.

We can tell so many stories. Refugees who have lost proof of their legal status receive legal help from our clinic, become naturalized citizens, and go on to start businesses or even enroll in medical school. Adults in ESL classes begin as timid students who cannot speak English and leave with vastly improved fluency and confidence. Immigrant children in our English tutoring program escape the pattern of summer learning loss and are able to go back to school in the fall on par with their peers. And international visitors from around the world return to their home countries with an appreciation for democracy, American culture, and best practices learned from professional meetings with Charlotte leaders.

This has been an extraordinary year for International House. And we couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you for believing in us as we continue to help strangers become neighbors, and neighbors become friends. We are grateful that we can continue to work together for a global Charlotte where international diversity is appreciated and celebrated. Thank you for your support!

Denise Cumbee Long, Executive Director

International House Board of DirectorsJennifer Watson Roberts, President

Vince Altamura, Wells Fargo, Vice PresidentCynthia Aziz, Aziz Immigration Law Firm, Secretary

Satoshi Watanabe, Wells Fargo, TreasurerNini RB Bautista de Garcia,

Carolinas Asian-American Chamber of CommerceCamille Evans, Attorney

Maha Gingrich, Central Piedmont Community College

Brian Heslin, Moore & Van Allen, PLLCDana Hicks, Huber Technology, Inc.

Jose Merino, Duke EnergyBrad Merlie, Piedmont Natural Gas

Peter Pampillonio, BB&TMonte L. Ritchey, Conformity Corporation

Rich Robles, Bank of AmericaRobin Tanner, Piedmont Unitarian

Universalist ChurchT. Minh Tran, Piedmont Natural GasMichael Whitted, SPX Corporation

International House Staff

Financial Report

Denise Cumbee Long, Executive DirectorJackie Berry, Immigration Paralegal

Kathy Brennan, Immigration AttorneyJohnelle Causwell, Citizen Diplomacy

Program DirectorAnne Crotty, Immigration Attorney

Pam Foltz, Financial and Administrative Assistant

Jelena Giric-Held, Senior Immigration Paralegal, Clinic Director

Gail Johnson, Director of Education Rusty Reynolds, Associate Director

Diana Rojas, Client Services & Volunteer Coordinator

Carole Ward, Citizen Diplomacy Program Associate

Ally Yusuf, Marketing & Communications Director

Fee for Service $129,177 Grants - Government $122,918 Grants - Private $284,500 Individual Giving $61,143 Other $12,333 Special Events $122,262

Total $732,333

Administration $91,715 Marketing/ Fundraising $99,573 Programs - Services $533,429

Total $724,717

In addition to the operating income reported above, $22,750 was received in early 2013 from the 2012 Midwood Capital Campaign. These funds are being used for furniture and equipment in our new home in the Midwood International & Cultural Center.

Ginter Immigration Law ClinicIn 2013, the Ginter Immigration Law Clinic served 1268 low-income clients needing information, referrals, or legal representation regarding US citizenship or permanent residency. Clinic staff also represented clients seeking other immigration benefits, such as work permits, travel documents, and replacement of lost or stolen green cards and naturalization certificates.

Ginter Immigration Law Clinic 2013 *1,268 client requests for service

*482 cases opened * 98% success rate *118 permanent resident cards approved

*63 clients became U.S. Citizens

In 2013, our Immigration Law Clinic experienced an increased number of requests for services. As in prior years, sixty percent of clients are refugees and asylees, with an increased number of Cuban clients. We continued to represent “Dreamers,” students and young adults who came to the US as children and are out of status. The rest of our clients are other low in-come immigrants.

A series of four citizenship classes provided 112 clients of the Ginter Law Clinic with a six-week course in U.S. history, civics, and government to help them have a better chance of passing the USCIS exam and ultimately becoming naturalized U.S. citizens.

Educational ProgramsOver 667 adults and 190 children from 44 different countries benefitted from one or more educational programs offered by International House in 2013. Educational services continued to grow and include an innovative English class, citizenship classes with an instructor and one-on-one tutors, a life skills series, “Charlotte University” that took place at International House and Albemarle Road Elementary School, and a partnership with three CMS elementary schools for a summer English tutoring program (YETP). The 2013 summer YETP program excelled in new ways during its fourth year by expanding to three CMS elementary schools. Of 190 Limited English Proficient (LEP) students, 95% either increased or maintained their reading level, documented on the CMS reading program, “Reading A-Z.” 65% of students jumped to a higher reading level, and 33% of students showed 3 months worth of reading level growth over the 6-week program. Meaningful partnerships with Merry Oaks International Academy, Montclaire Elementary, and Pinewood Elementary and three generous funders allowed 39 teachers, tutors, and CMS staff members to participate in the program, with a student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 4:1.

Charlotte University continued as a successful “teach the teacher” model in 2013 at both International House and the Coalition for Albemarle Road Elementary School (CARES) program. Learning sessions offered critical information to Charlotte’s foreign-born residents on transportation, housing, police, fire, medic, accessible health care, nutrition, and banking opportunities in Charlotte. 237 immigrant leaders from all over the world heard presentations from community agencies and nonprofits that they, in turn, shared with their family members and friends. Partner agencies included PNC Bank, Carolinas Healthcare System, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, and the United States Department of Agriculture.

Educational Programs 2013

*108 adult ESL students attended weekly classes

*112 adult students attended 6-week citizenship classes offered each quarter

*237 immigrant leaders participated in “Charlotte University” at International House and Albemarle Road Elementary School

*36 job seekers were helped in our Charlotte Works SNAP site

*190 children were served by YETP, a free summer English tutoring program

*174 language learners and native speakers joined to-gether in weekly conversation hours offered in 10 languages

Citizen Diplomacy/International Visitors

Our program has been recognized by the Department of State for our outstanding work with Open World groups and we have commenced a very special partnership with the Charlotte School of Law, hosting the very first Open World Turkish delegation to the United States. We plan to grow and expand our partnership to include more Turkish delegations in 2014.

For the first time in many years, International House’s Citizen Diplomacy Department was chosen in 2013 to send a delegation to take part in a four-day presentation tour in Washington, DC, meeting with department heads of all National Programming Agencies and the Department of State. This was a very successful tour aimed at educating organizations about Charlotte and the programs International House organizes for visiting international delegations. With this kind of exposure we expect to host an increased number of international groups in the future.

Citizen Diplomacy 2013

170 international visitors61 countries represented

22 delegations hosted55 host families for our visitors

The Citizen Diplomacy Program (CDP) brought 22 groups of international visitors to Charlotte during 2013, giving 170 high level international leaders from 61 countries a look at U.S. best practices in banking, finance, law, cyber security, education, healthcare, manufacturing, human rights and political processes.

Our popular series “Who’s in the House” has grown and evolved in 2013 to encompass after-work networking receptions open to the community. We have had increased attendance for these events showcasing visiting international leaders from Turkey, Ukraine, Argentina, Bolivia, Columbia, Cuba, The Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, Colombia, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Pakistan.

Intercultural ProgramsInternational House began 2013 with a standing-room only Open House in our new location at the Midwood International & Cultural Center. Joined by other Midwood tenant organizations, we celebrated our new home with cultural performances including dancers from Ethiopia, Bosnia, and India, as well as a serene flower arranging ceremony from Japan.

Other intercultural events included our ongoing “Who’s in the House” series featuring programs and receptions with our international visitors, an Evening of Gypsy Music and Dance, “Front Porch Potluck Parties” for participants in our Language Conversation Hours, and a June Donor Appreciation Evening and tango performance in honor of our major donors.

Over 200 language learners and native speakers participated in free, weekly Language Conversation Hours offered in 10 different languages. We added two new offerings in 2013: Chinese and Arabic.Doorways, a monthly social group for international women, continued to offer welcome and connection for women from around the world, while members of the monthly International Book Club gathered to read and discuss acclaimed books by international authors.

America the BeautifulThe 25th Anniversary Gala “America the Beautiful” offered an evening of glitz and glamour for almost 400 guests. They feasted and danced the night away while raising $120,000 to support International House programs and services. Many thanks to the dedicated Gala Committee, chaired by Josane Calvert, and to our Corporate Sponsors listed below.

Mount Rushmore $10,000 SponsorsWells FargoPiedmont Natural Gas

Gateway Arch $5,000 SponsorsBank of AmericaAlvaro & Donna de MolinaKatten Muchin Rosenman LLPToshiba

Golden Gate $3,000 SponsorsBlum, Inc.Coats North AmericaDuke EnergyKPMGMoore & Van AllenProvidence Day SchoolWeb Full Circle

American Truetzschler Aziz Immigration Law FirmCadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLPCharlotte Country Day SchoolDeloitte Touche LLPErnst & Young LLCGarfinkel Immigration Law FirmGreerWalker LLPInto Languages GlobalKing & Spalding LLP

Alan Gordon Immigration LawAllemania Society of CharlotteBryan Cave LLPBusiness Advantage International LLCCarolina CatCataler North AmericaCharlotte School of LawChiquita Brands International LLC

Language Resource CenterMicrosoft CorporationMurata Machinery USANovant Health Huntersville Medical Center & Novant Health Matthews Medical CenterRobinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, PASouthEnd DentistryStuart and Teresa SingerThe Language Academy of the CarolinasWomble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice PLLC

Huber Technology, Inc.Isewan USAK&L Gates LLPManagement inSites, Inc.Red Bowl Asian BistrosThe World in Our BackyardSompo Japan Insurance Co. of AmericaViscotec Automotive Products, LLC

Glacier Bay $1,500 Sponsors

Diamond Head $500 Sponsors

You Make a World of Difference!2013 Donors and Sponsors

The programs and services of International House are made possible through the generous support of individuals, private foundations, corporations, and civic organizations. In addition to those listed below, our heartfelt thanks go out to the members

of our board of directors and advisory board, our volunteers, and all who donated in-kind gifts.

INDIVIDUALS

Patron ($1,000 & up)Tony and Lakana BikhaziKathy BrennanBill and Cathryn BrittonWalter and Meredith DolhareBruce GoldsteinKal Kardous and Marie-Claire Marroum KardousBrad and Barbara MerlieRichard NormanMrs. Tom van WingerdenGreg and Sandy VlahosMichael and Julie Whitted

Sustainer ($500 to $999)Marian E. BeaneJeffrey and Gretchen BrownThomas HawkinsMargot Leydic-BoydMinh Tran

Investor ($250 to $499)Vince and Lin AltamuraGerry and Margie Anderson Cynthia Aziz and Timothy von der EmbsePeter BellTwig and Barbara BranchZack and Laura BudzichowskiKenneth D. Chotiner, Jr.Camille B. EvansGeorge and Deb HannaDana and Caroline HicksLuke LargessDenise Cumbee Long and Bruce HollidayLeanne MasonJose MerinoMichael RodeliusCharles and Pricscilla SawickiDavid SmithDavid and Margaret StewartCharlene Washburn

Friend ($25 to $249)James and Sharon AldermanDuncan AlfordLuz Maria AveleyraSylvie BastadjianRoger Baumgarte and Susan BrennerDr. Nini RB BautistaSheila B. BennettBoyd DavisJustin A. BrittainPeter C. BuckJohn and Josane CalvertRobert CarrJames CassSamira ChakraImani ClenanceThad and Suzanne ClementsEd and Anne CrottyJacqueline Curran-KazmirciDavid DietrichEvelyn FoleySarah Belk GambrellDiane GilbertTrish GolembeJake and Pam GreeneMark and Amanda GuileIsam HabbalRob HarringtonBrian HeslinThomas P. HoldernessJames and Jane HuddleCheryl JohnsonRay and Kimm JollyMary G. LaingAndré and Stacey LaurentRodney and Polly LittleAmadou and Irina LyJanet MalkemesLuis MaradiagaLina MazigiWard and Liz McKeithenViola McKinneyRobert and Violeta MoserSami and Abir NafisiDavid and Tonya OrbaughPeter PampillonioT. Haughton PardeeKatherine PayerleMargaret PovinelliThomas E. Powell, III

FOUNDATIONS

$50,000 and upBelk FoundationLeon Levine Foundation

$25,000 to $49,999Ginter FoundationMerancas FoundationSisters of Mercy Foundation

$10,000-$24,999de Molina Family FoundationDollar General FoundationDuke Energy FoundationMecklenburg Bar FoundationPiedmont Natural Gas FoundationPNC Bank Foundation

$5,000 to $9,999Bi-Lo FoundationTJX Foundation

Up to $5,0005th 3rd BankBlumenthal FoundationCharlotte-Mecklenburg Community FoundationMcMillan Foundation

GOVERNMENT GRANTS

North Carolina DHHS - Refugee ProgramNational Council of International Visitors

COMMUNITY GROUPS

Altrusa InternationalCarolinas Asian-American Chamber of CommerceDoorways International Women’s GroupJapanese Association Kilgo United Methodist ChurchSt. John’s Baptist Church.

Jane S. RattereeFranziska ReinschMonte and Jessica RitcheyJennifer Watson RobertsRicardo RoblesBlaine SandersDavid ShufordNicole Simmons and Ralf AtzorChris SmileyPatricia StoyRobin TannerSarah S. TullAnne Van Newkirk Angelique R. VincentJames T. WagnerRegina WaldthausenElfriede E. WinikerAnna WoodEdith Yakutis

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

$5,000 to $15,000Sami and Abir NafisiWells Fargo

$1,000 to $4,999Bruce Goldstein

Up to $1,000Jennifer Watson RobertsGerry and Margie AndersonMichael RodeliusJake and Pam Greene

CORPORATIONS

Donald Haack Diamonds & Fine Gems, Ltd.Monblanc Boutique CharlotteParker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLPPerry’s at SouthPark

CORPORATE MATCHING

Bank of AmericaDuke EnergyMicrosoftPiedmont Natural Gas

1817 Central Ave Suite 215 Charlotte, NC 28205

International House 1817 Central Ave. Suite 215 Charlotte, NC 28205 704-333-8099 www.ihclt.org

International House has spent a full year now in our new home, the old Midwood High School on Central Avenue which we converted into a multicultural campus known as the Midwood International & Cultural Center. As the master tenant, International House leases the building from Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools and we have recruited a diverse collection of additional tenants to share the space and expenses. We have added new organizations to the Midwood campus during the past year, and the current tenant roster includes the Light Factory, Language Academy, Grameen America, Japanese Association of Charlotte, All Ethiopian Community Center, Universal Institute for Successful Aging, League of Women Voters, Bosnian-Herzegovinian American Cultural Center, Greenhorn Piano Studio, Watershed Church, and NC Home Study for International Adoptions. The Midwood International & Cultural Center is a vibrant hub of international and cultural activity and a testimony to the role of International House, the place “where Charlotte welcomes the world!”

International House

is located at Midwood International &

Cultural Center

1817 Central Avenue Suite 215Charlotte, NC 28205

[email protected]