Skip to content

Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics

Leap At SHSU!

Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics

Tag: Citizenship Preparatory Course

Citizenship 101

For the 11th consecutive year, the LEAP Ambassadors partnered with the Huntsville Public Library to offer a citizenship preparatory class to local immigrants.  Led by Huntsville Public Library intern (and LEAP Ambassador) Bianca Saldierna, the class proved a success.

SHSU, Huntsville Public Library, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Citizenship Preparatory Course

As with previous years, Councilmember Joe Rodriquez was generous and spared time to speak with immigrants about his story.

SHSU, Huntsville Public Library, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Citizenship Preparatory Course, Councilmember Joe Rodriquez

His discussion was inspirational: he’s able to approach the class from the perspective of being the children of immigrants, as a person who worked in the US Government (he was employed by the FBI), and as a person who currently serves his local government (as a councilmember, among other volunteer endeavors).

Once again, the LEAP Ambassadors assisted immigrants, sitting each week as volunteers.

SHSU, Huntsville Public Library, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Citizenship Preparatory Course

The volunteers included past interns Christina Perez and Karla Rosales.

SHSU, Huntsville Public Library, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Citizenship Preparatory Course

This year, more than 30 immigrants signed up, but as with previous years, the number of regular class-goers stabilized at just under 20.  They were a diverse lot, who soon gelled and found ways to help each other.

Also helping was Audrey Biggar, who joins us for week five and provides an overview of the legal aspects of immigrating.

SHSU, Huntsville Public Library, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Citizenship Preparatory Course

Ms. Biggar has been a huge friend to our program over the years, and she serves the community in many ways.  We are grateful for her ongoing support.

Other than Ms. Biggar’s appearance, the highlight of week five is our “Thanksgiving.”  The immigrants are expected to our major holidays to pass the Citizenship Test, and to reinforce these dates, we host our own Thanksgiving, with each immigrant (and volunteer) bringing food indigenous to their home country.

SHSU, Huntsville Public Library, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Citizenship Preparatory Course

This is one of our favorite weeks and, in fact, one of our favorite events of the year.

SHSU, Huntsville Public Library, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Citizenship Preparatory Course

With food from Africa, South America, Mexico, Europe, and the USA…

SHSU, Huntsville Public Library, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Citizenship Preparatory Course

…we all leave stuffed.

But not so stuffed that we can’t pose for photographs, with Bianca posing with her “students” and certificates she created for them.

SHSU, Huntsville Public Library, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Citizenship Preparatory Course
SHSU, Huntsville Public Library, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Citizenship Preparatory Course
SHSU, Huntsville Public Library, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Citizenship Preparatory Course
SHSU, Huntsville Public Library, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Citizenship Preparatory Course
SHSU, Huntsville Public Library, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Citizenship Preparatory Course
SHSU, Huntsville Public Library, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Citizenship Preparatory Course
SHSU, Huntsville Public Library, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Citizenship Preparatory Course
SHSU, Huntsville Public Library, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Citizenship Preparatory Course
SHSU, Huntsville Public Library, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Citizenship Preparatory Course
SHSU, Huntsville Public Library, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Citizenship Preparatory Course
SHSU, Huntsville Public Library, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Citizenship Preparatory Course

And, of course, a group photo.

SHSU, Huntsville Public Library, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Citizenship Preparatory Course

But this year had a bonus.  Councilmember Rodriquez put the citizenship class on the Huntsville City Council agenda, and the group was recognized by the Mayor…

SHSU, Huntsville Public Library, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Citizenship Preparatory Course

…and other council members.

SHSU, Huntsville Public Library, LEAP Center, LEAP Ambassadors, Citizenship Preparatory Course

For a group who had never been to a council meeting and may have thought of the local government as a mysterious entity, it was a great night of learning.

Many thanks to the Huntsville City Council, the Huntsville Public Library, Bianca Saldierna and the LEAP Ambassadors, and most of all to the local immigrants who are taking an important step!

 

Author mikeyawnPosted on May 28, 2018Format AsideCategories Civic Engagement, VolunteerTags Audrey Biggar, Citizenship Preparatory Course, Councilmember Joe Rodriquez, Huntsville Public Library, LEAP Ambassadors, LEAP Center, Maytor Andy Brauninger, SHSULeave a comment on Citizenship 101

LEAP Ambassadors Are Involved!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Follow Us On Facebook!

Follow Us On Facebook!

Catch Up With Us

  • More Presidents Day the LEAP Way: Touring President Bush’s Office February 18, 2019
  • Learning the Law–Mock Law Class with Professor Val Ricks February 17, 2019
  • LEAP Ambassadors Meet Ambassador Christopher Hill February 16, 2019
  • Celebrating Presidents Day the LEAP Way February 15, 2019
  • LEAP Ambassadors Enjoy Jane Harper Books and Food “Outback” February 11, 2019

Join The Conversation!

the #1 Itinerary on heART of Huntsville: The …
the #1 Itinerary on A Festival Fiesta: Fun at the…
A Festival Fiesta: F… on An Evening with the World Affa…
More Than Sand, Sea,… on Keeping up with Qatar: Diana U…
Patricia Holmes on Literature, Crime, and La…

Find Previous Posts

Follow us on Instagram!

LEAP Ambassadors enjoy a tour of President G. H. W. Bush's office. Many thanks to Jean Becker, Mark Burns, and Ms. Sage for the tour...read here for the details and great photos...https://leapatshsu.com/2019/02/18/more-presidents-day-the-leap-way-touring-president-bushs-office/

We also have Twitter!

My Tweets
Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics Blog at WordPress.com.
Cancel