The mission of Refugee & Immigrant Services & Empowerment (RISE) is to connect immigrant populations with the quality services, resources and lifelong learning opportunities of the Library through outreach, education, and advocacy.
Contact RISE by phone at 816.701.3766 or send us an email
RISE thanks all potential volunteers for their interest in working with us. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we are able to offer limited virtual classes (listed below).
With limited capacity, we require less volunteer assistance at this time. We encourage you to please continue to apply - if we have no immediate need, we will keep your application on file. When we are able to safely accept more volunteers, we will reach out to you. Thank you for your understanding.
Read past RISE newsletters and sign up for future updates »
English 101
This class is currently on hold
English 101 is for beginning adult English language learners. There is a focus on reading, writing, listening, and speaking with one-to-one attention from the teacher and tutors, who are all fluent English speakers. Join us online! Thursdays from 10AM-12PM, April 22 - May 27, 2021, via Zoom.
Job Interview Practice
Nervous about a job interview? Come practice resume writing and interview skills with our Job Interview Practice class, where we will help you prepare for your job interview! This class is geared to help refugees and immigrants prepare for job interviews; however, we do welcome all who are interested.
This program is held online on Thursdays in October from 6-7 PM.
English for Citizenship
Now offered online! English for Citizenship will be held via Zoom on Wednesday evenings.
This course is designed to help develop the language skills necessary to pass the USCIS naturalization test. Students will be taught the vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation found on the N-400 form and the 100 civics questions.
Conversation Club
Now offered online! Conversation Club will be held via Zoom on Tuesday evenings from 6 - 7 PM. Come and practice speaking English! We focus on increasing fluency, vocabulary, grammar, and confidence.
English in Action
A few partners are now meeting online!
English in Action is for intermediate to advanced English language learners. Learners are paired with a mentor with whom they can practice conversational fluency for 1-2 hours each week online.
Citizenship Interview Practice
Nervous about your Naturalization Interview? You can practice your interview for FREE at any of our ten library locations. Volunteers are standing by to help you practice speaking, reading and writing English along with correctly answering the 100 USCIS Civics Questions.
English for Vocational Trades - Carpentry
Due to limited programming, English for Vocational Trades - Carpentry is not offered at this time.
This is a class for nonnative English speakers who would like to learn the English and math skills necessary to pass the KC/STL Carpenters Regional Council Apprenticeship program entry exam.
Money Smart Kansas City
Money Smart Kansas City offers information and links to several area resources for immigrants and refugees.
Partners
Please visit our partner organizations:
