This is an exciting new program I hope RPCVs might be interested in:

The Community Language and Culture Bank is inviting families to participate in our Families Without Borders program. We are pairing up new refugee and immigrant families that are unfamiliar with Portland and American culture with families that know the Portland area and would like to share their time, resources and knowledge. This program will include cultural sensitivity workshops for all of the participating families. These workshops will outline basic intercultural concepts and will provide a forum to ask questions. Then Potluck time! Both families and CLCB will get a chance to share their favorite recipes, homes and time with each other.

We view Families Without Borders as a valuable program to promote equal intercultural exchange. Families already familiar with American culture can help immigrant and refugee families by welcoming them, and answering their questions. In turn they will benefit from learning about the past experiences of the immigrant and refugee families, and through the experiences that they will both share in the future. Our goal is to facilitate the initial introduction between two culturally different families, however we hope you will continue to pursue this valuable relationship and continue to share time together.

The Families Without Borders program is part of the CLCB’s larger vision of equality and justice, through fostering personal intercultural communication.

With open hearts and open minds we can guarantee a positive experience.

Interested? Call Alana at 503-223-4464, or email info@clcbank.org, for more details.