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International Community Center (ICC)

OUR MISSION: TO PROCLAIM + EMBODY
THE LOVE OF JESUS CHRIST IN THE CITY + THE WORLD

Located on the South Side of Milwaukee, the ICC provides a safe learning space for refugees coming into Milwaukee.

Many immigrants arrive in Milwaukee, yearning to have American friends, but face language and other barriers. The International Community Center is located near the airport, close to many immigrant neighborhoods. Our main activities include English instruction, preparation for citizenship, child care, home visits, helping kids with homework, and hosting event nights.

Mostly, we provide a connection point for volunteers and immigrants to form lasting, cross-cultural friendships where each has the joy of sharing their life and faith. We encourage immigrants not to isolate in their own cultural and religious enclaves, but to interact with the broader community.

HOURS & LOCATION:

Open Monday through Friday
8 am-3 pm

English Classes: Weekdays · 9-11 am or 11:30 am-1:30 pm

Citizenship Classes: Weekdays · 9-11 am or 11:30 am-1:30 pm

Kids’ Room: Open Weekdays · 9-11 am or 11:30 am-1:30 pm

Evening Tutoring: Tuesdays & Wednesdays · 6:30-8 pm

SERVE WITH US:

There are a variety of volunteer roles we are currently looking for. Browse those opportunities below:

English and/or Citizenship Teacher

Schedule: Weekdays, 9-11 am or 11:30 am-1:30 pm

Commitment: One (or more) 2-hour class per week

Purpose: To bless refugees with friends who help them learn English as they make Milwaukee their new home. For our members to experience God’s joy through befriending and helping refugees.

Responsibilities: Teach English (or citizenship) from materials provided to a class of ten or fewer adults. Engage students in English conversation during class and during breaks. Record attendance and course material completed to help track student progress.

How you’ll be able to build relationships with other members and/or the community: You will work together with other fun and interesting volunteers. You will meet refugees, have opportunity to form friendships that continue outside the center, and gain valuable cross-cultural experience.

Qualifications: Speak & read English well (but not necessary to have English as mother tongue), patient, and enjoy seeing students make progress. ESL certificate is NOT required.

Age Requirements: 18+ years old preferred, but mature high school juniors and seniors are also welcome.

Training & Support Provided: Eastbrook staff and team leads are on-site while you serve together. We provide Initial orientation and opportunity to observe other classes prior to starting. Curriculum materials are provided for you. Once teaching, we provide ongoing input & discussion as well as a weekly prayer time for volunteers.

Middle & High School Tutoring

Schedule: Tuesdays or Wednesdays from 6:30-8 pm during the school year

Commitment: One evening per week for the school year

Purpose: Bless refugee families by providing a safe and caring environment for their children to get help with their homework. For Eastbrook member to experience God’s joy through helping refugee kids with homework.

Responsibilities: Help a few high school and junior high students with the homework that they bring. Help students keep on track and focused. For some volunteers, pick up students from home beforehand and drop off afterwards.

How you’ll be able to build relationships with other members and/or the community: You will work together with other interesting volunteers from a variety of churches. You will meet refugee kids, have opportunity to form relationships with them and their families, and gain valuable cross-cultural experience.

Qualifications: Proficiency in English and other subjects as needed. Joy and patience for working with school aged kids. For those who drive kids, a driver’s license, and insurance on your vehicle.

Age Requirement: Adult, and mature high school juniors and seniors are also welcome. A parent could volunteer to serve along with their mature middle or high school student.

Training & Support: Initial orientation and tutoring observation, then ongoing on-site support as you serve alongside other members and with the team leads.

ICC Kids' Room Team

Schedule: Weekdays, 9-11 am or 11:30 am-1:30 pm

Commitment: One (or more) 2-hour session per week

Purpose: To bless refugee families with a safe, caring place for young children to play and learn while parents study English. For Eastbrook members to experience God’s joy through loving service to young children and their parents.

Responsibilities: Prepare the room by getting out toys, materials, and snacks for the day. Greet parents. Interact with children through play and guided activities. After children leave, put away materials and tidy up room.

How you’ll be able to build relationships with other members and/ or the community: You’ll get to know other members by volunteering together. You will meet refugee parents and are encouraged to form friendships that continue outside the center.

Qualifications: Previous experience with young children is helpful. Parenting experience counts!

Age & Other Requirements: Two volunteers are needed for each class session; at least one should be 18 years old or older. (If a parent wants to bring a capable middle schooler or high schooler along, they could qualify as the second volunteer.)

Training & Support: We provide an overview of the routines and materials, then partner you with an experienced volunteer. Questions and feedback are valued, and help is always available. We regularly check-in with our team to make sure you feel comfortable and equipped to serve!

Friendship with Refugees

Schedule: As your schedule allows

Commitment: Physical visit at least once a month; other communication as possible

Purpose: To bless refugees with friends who walk alongside through life, embodying God’s love, leading them to thank God for bringing them such good friends. For our members to experience God’s joy that a friend- ship with a refugee can bring.

Responsibilities: Be a good friend, “aunt”,”uncle”, or “grandparent” to a refugee family. This means making space in your life and schedule to include regular time with the refugee family, opening yourself to a mutual friendship.

How you’ll be able to build relationships with other members and/or the community: We also provide fellowship opportunities with others involved in close relationships with refugees. Refugee families are great hosts and will be thrilled to open their home to you. But be mindful that real friend- ship takes real time.

Qualifications: Prayer for God’s leading into a significant relationship with a refugee; desire to live out God’s love for refugees in the context of friendship.

Age Requirement: 18+ years old or families who serve together.

Training & Support: First gain a connection with a refugee through an ICC activity, like teaching ESL or evening tutoring. Ongoing support through connecting with experienced members and ICC staff. Opportunities to discuss and pray with others with similar involvement.

What our volunteers are saying about the ICC:

Sue G.

“I marvel at God’s handiwork in children. These refugee kids have incredible curiosity and ability to learn new skills plus some English. If you are considering joining our team, you should know that you are never alone in the Kids Room; you always work with a partner. Some volunteers bring their own preschool children along. And it’s lots of fun! One mom tells me that her little daughter is very excited about coming to her ‘school’ and learning so many English words. Another mom and dad were struggling to write their son’s name and birthdate on our form. I realized, ‘That’s exactly why the Kids Room is here—to help parents like these!’”

Tanya S.

“My husband and I started to tutor students at the ICC one night a week. Over this time, we have developed a friendship with three students and their families. As we have spent time with them, helping with their homework, driving them to tutoring and home again, we have gotten to know them and their families. We have had them to our home for dinners, holiday celebrations and pizza and game nights; they love a good game of Spoons or Uno! We have taken them out for ice cream, fireworks at the lakefront and have gone shopping with them. Their families have invited us over for special family baby showers, celebration of Eid or just welcomed us for a visit. It’s given us a connection to these people and helped us to live out the love of Jesus in a very practical way.”

Joe K.

“I decided to volunteer teaching English or citizenship classes, and I now pick up more time slots when my time allows. Last year I was introduced to a few Rohingya families who asked for in home help. I am blessed to go to their homes a few times per week to teach them English and citizenship or help them navigate life with car insurance, doctors appointments and even legal issues. It is a blessing to know that they trust me with such important life decisions. Most whom I've met are very hospitable and joyful and my wife and I have shared many meals in their homes. I now consider some of them great friends.”

Denise G.

“During an event for families, I was invited to a student’s home. She asked her children to call me ‘Granny’ and the title stuck. I started visiting their family weekly, and after a few weeks her husband relayed that one of the most difficult things about coming to this country was knowing that their children would be raised without their grandparents. He happily said that God had heard their prayer and had provided a Granny for their children! I think one of the greatest things about this ministry is that most of us instinctively know how to be friends, and in my case: a Granny.”

To Serve, Contact Jim

OUR TEAM:

Pastor Dan Ryan
Sr. Director, Mission
[email protected]
414.228.5220 x225

Jim Dressner
ICC Director
[email protected]
414.988.0202

QUICKLINKS:

Giving to Missions

Our work cannot happen without financial resources. Our efforts in the city and world are not supported from Eastbrook’s “general” fund but rather through a special, designated, Mission Fund. Make financial support a part of your missions involvement by donating to the fund linked below.

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Visit the Missions Spot

The Missions Spot is a space set aside in the Worship Hall Lobby for connecting with and learning from disciples in our midst. We have many visuals and materials available for visitors to better understand the work our missionaries currently do, and how you can get involved yourself!

Serve

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