The New Americans Training Project is funded by The Duluth/Superior Community Foundation and The College of St. Scholastica Social Work Program, with support from the National Association of Social Workers- MN Chapter, Duluth East Hillside PATCH, Duluth Adult Learning Center ESL Class and ESL Civic involvement Project, and C.H.U.M.

The Social Work program at The College of St. Scholastica is proud to present four training opportunities developed to increase our cultural understanding of refugees and immigrants in Minnesota.

All trainings will be held at The College of St. Scholastica's Duluth campus in Somers Lounge and are free and open to the community.

Three CEU hours for Social Work are available for $15.00
CEUs may be purchased by check or cash only at the door.
Credit cards will not be accepted.

Because space is limited, participants are encouraged to pre-register online. To Register go to: http://www2.css.edu/app/depts/swk/

Questions may be sent via email to newamericans@css.edu.

November 9, 2007 |January 11, 2008 | March 28, 2008 | May 16, 2008

Training Session 4
Friday, May 16, 2008
1-4 p.m.
St. Scholastica Duluth Campus
Somers Lounge 1st floor

"Stories from Our Twin Ports New American Neighbors Through Art and Oral Tradition"

12:30-1 p.m. Hmong Refugee Journey

  • Child and adult artwork display open for viewing

1-4 p.m. Presentations and Audience Interaction

  • Hmong journey artwork discussion, panel presentation
    Dr. Glenn Nordehn, Annmarie Barta, Cher Pao Vang, Chong Moua, artists, and other Hmong neighbors


  • Latino Immigration in MN: Our Reality and A Hope for Change

    Reasons that immigrants come to MN; what life is like here for the undocumented, and the need for humane and comprehensive federal reform.

    Patrick Ness, Public Policy Director, Office for Social Justice, Catholic Charities of St. Paul/Minneapolis and and Mariano Espinoza, Director of the MN Immigrant Freedom Network


  • Immigrant neighbor transitions
    Professor Njoki Kamau (Kenya), Norliza Tarnowski (Malaysia), Horst Blumerich (Germany), Ina Cusick (Bylerus/Ukraine)

With special thanks to Bea Larson and the "Duluth-Superior Area Community Foundation"


Training Session 3
Friday, March 28, 2008
1-4 p.m.
St. Scholastica Duluth Campus
Somers Lounge

Topic and presenters (One session, two presentations)

"Overview of Political Torture and Its Consequences"
 Heather Tracey, M.S.W., L.I S.W.
Social Worker and Trainer, Center for Victims of Torture


"Mental Health Assessment Basics for Refugee Clients"
 Marcia Runnberg MSW, LICSW
Assistant Professor, Social Work Program Coordinator - Extended Studies The College of St. Scholastica, St. Paul campus


Training Session 2
Friday, Jan. 11, 2008
1-4 p.m.
St. Scholastica Duluth Campus
Somers Lounge

Topic and presenters (Two presentations)

"Interacting with the Muslim Community"
 Fedwa Wazwaz, Director of Training


Community Discussion Panel

Training Session 1
Friday, Nov. 9, 2007
1-4 p.m.
St. Scholastica Duluth Campus
Somers Lounge

Topics and presenters (Two presentations)

"Refugee Health in MN- What You Need to Know"
 Ann O'Fallon, RN, MA
Refugee Health Coordinator, MN Dept. of Health

"Immigrants and Refugees in Our Local Communities"
 Bea Larson, M.Ed
ABE/ESL and Family Literacy Instructor, Adult Learning/Duluth Public Schools
and
Marcia Runnberg, MSW, LICSW
Assistant Professor, Social Work Program Coordinator,
The College of St. Scholastica, St. Paul campus