IFSI Newsletter Vol 2.2

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Message from the

Executive Director

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The effectiveness of a social service agency can and must be evaluated by the outcomes of the services it offers. IFSI is no exception to this rule. We constantly monitor the pulse of our programs to ensure that they are improving the lives of our constituents. Our staff asks our clients for feedback. We have instituted anonymous surveys for them to fill out regarding the quality of the services we offer. I have gone on home visits with case managers to assess their performance and the satisfaction of our constituents.

This issue of “Hands-On” highlights the personal stories of four of our consumers served by the following programs: Services to Children in their Own Homes (SCOH), Housing Counseling, English as a Second Language, and Healthy Start. We at IFSI are always invigorated when our clients are satisfied and successfully meet their goals. When they are winners we become winners too. After reading their personal stories, we hope you take with you an urgent sense of opportunities grasped, lives enhanced, and futures emboldened.

The usual staples can also be found in this issue, including “Read My Lips” and “Global Gourmet.” We constantly strive to honor our commitment to “Diversity in Action” and enjoy sharing with you the languages and cuisine of our multicultural staff.

In Their Own Voices:
IFSI’s Diverse Communities Speak

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By Pheralyn Dove

All of the parties came piling out of the courtroom laughing, giggling, exuberant. We were as giddy as school children although Qunita Brown was the only youngster among us. The fanfare procession was in order because the judge had just ruled in favor of Qunita’s reunification after more than two years in placement.
This family is part of Intercultural Family Services, Inc.’s Services to Children in their Own Homes (SCOH) program, funded by the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Human Services (DHS). I have had the honor and privilege of being this family’s SCOH case manager for the past two and a half years.

I interviewed the parents about their SCOH experience right after our victory in court. “I am the happiest woman in the world today,” exclaimed Qunita’s mother, Karen Houston. “I feel wonderful. My daughter’s coming home for good. Her Dad and me were able to communicate and be as one for Qunita. She was able to see that we weren’t arguing and bickering.”

Qunita’s father, Tony Brown, who is Ms. Houston’s ex-husband, was just as thrilled. “It’s a good day,” he said. “Success is a part of growth. Now we’re having meetings and I came all the way from having a restraining order to being allowed to go over to the house for family therapy.”

“SCOH has been a good service,” continued Houston. “Pheralyn, you have been a good help to my children. I got the Christmas toys and the food basket and the turkey and all of that. When we needed a school for Qunita you came and got me and we went to the cluster office and the outcome was successful. I don’t think you’ve ever missed a court date or a school conference. Plus the one-on-one with all my children. Because I have eight children, I like how you have the one-on-one with them and how they respect you and how they can open up and talk to you.”

None of these accolades would have been possible without the support system and infrastructure IFSI provides through its SCOH program. To be sure, I’ve felt like Santa Claus with all the gifts I bring the families at Christmas; like Mother Theresa when I arrive with the food basket at the precise moment the family needs it; like a peacemaker when I implement intervention techniques I’ve learned during SCOH trainings that help family members feel they are being understood; like a fairy godmother when I arrange for just the right therapist at IFSI to get involved.

When I came into the Brown/Houston family, Qunita was a ten year old with a habit of running away; sometimes her whereabouts would be unknown for two and three days. Ms. Houston was so concerned about her child’s safety that she voluntarily had DHS place Qunita. There were layers of issues this large family with eight children needed to work through in addition to Qunita’s reunification: domestic violence, housing issues, and educational issues. Clearly, family therapy was in order. At times, Mom was overwhelmed with her responsibilities. However, she persevered.

I was there as an advocate during Ms. Houston’s successful completion of a training program at Berean Institute, which ultimately led to her transition from Welfare to work. And I watched this proud mother move her family to a brand new home, which is always kept in immaculate condition.

I will never forget that triumphant day, coming out of the courtroom. All family members were beaming, as were the rest of the parties on this case: a devoted DHS Worker who sometimes gave up her weekends to provide transportation for family visits to the child in placement, a team of tireless child advocate attorneys, other legal representatives, an excellent social worker from the placement agency, the family’s therapist, and last but not least, myself. Truly, this family has been on a remarkable journey; I feel blessed and richer as a person to have been a small part of it.

Pennsylvania State Treasurer Barbara Hafer Visits IFSI

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During her March 28, 2001 visit to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania's Treasurer Barbara Hafer made a special appearance at IFSI. State Treasurer Hafer chose IFSI because of its unique mission in providing culturally and linguistically competent services.

Upon her arrival, State Treasurer Hafer was greeted by a group of ethnically diverse employees who welcomed her individually in their native tongues. Then, the Executive Director/CEO, Evelyn Marcha-Hidalgo, proceeded to give a full tour of the building to State Treasurer Hafer, Gail Petrofsky, Regional Director of PA State Treasurer's Office, and IFSI's Board Chairman, Henry C. Fader. As they toured the building, State Treasurer Hafer was educated on the many programs IFSI has to offer, such as: Healthy Start, Housing Counseling, Youth and Family Development Program (YFDP), Family Preservation, and Services to Children in their Own Homes (SCOH). She also spoke to the students of our English as a Second Language (ESL) class about the important role she holds as Pennsylvania's State Treasurer.

The State Treasurer's visit was an exciting opportunity for IFSI. With IFSI's future plans to expand its programs and facilities to enhance services, Ms. Hidalgo stated that, "We see State Treasurer Hafer's visit as a first step toward realizing our dreams of continued expansion and providing our clients with additional, much needed services."

The City of Philadelphia Addresses the Behavioral Health Needs of the Asian Community.

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Asian culture has many extremely diverse and complex aspects to its traditions, such as different languages, clothing, religion, customs and beliefs. However, a universal norm among all Asians can be found in their thinking about Behavioral Health. The idea of venting your individual and family problems is considered much too personal to divulge to anyone, whether they are a friend or a stranger. Therefore, many Asians go through life feeling depressed, anxious, moody, or stressed and do not realize that help is available.

Due to this pressing need in the Asian community, the City of Philadelphia, Office of Mental Health/Mental Retardation awarded IFSI a grant which will help IFSI better serve the psychological needs of the Asian community and help decrease the stigma associated with behavioral health.

The program, entitled Family and Individual Counseling Services for the Asian Communities, has allowed IFSI to collaborate with the Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia (CAGP) and the Greater Philadelphia Overseas Chinese Association (GPOCA) to effectively outreach and spread the message. Any individual or family determined to be in need of mental health services will receive treatment at IFSI's Behavioral Health Clinic, located at 4254 Chestnut Street. All individuals, including those who are uninsured, are welcome.

If you know of anyone in need of behavioral health services, please contact our clinic at (215) 386-8490.

Home Sweet Home!

IFSI’s Housing

Counseling Program

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By Pheralyn Dove

Chhoeun Tun faced many barriers when he emigrated from Cambodia to the United States. When he arrived in Philadelphia with his large family, there was the language barrier, the cultural barrier, the economic barrier, the education barrier and, not least of all, the housing barrier. Who would want to rent an apartment to a family of ten people, none of whom spoke English?

As insurmountable as these obstacles may seem, there was help for Chhoeun Tun, his wife Nouv Tun and their family. They found an oasis of services and crucial help at IFSI’s Housing Counseling Program. With the technical assistance of IFSI’s Housing Counseling, the Tun family successfully completed the First Time Home Buyer’s Program.

Specifically how did the Housing Counseling Program assist this family? Chhoeun Tun shares his thoughts during an interview:

“I feel great because I feel comfortable in my own home. I have more freedom than as to renting,” said Tun. “Housing Counselor Samol Heng helped me with everything through the process of buying a house. He provided first time home buyer counseling, helped us to find a mortgage, referred us to the real estate agent, and went to settlement with us. He did all the work for us because we did not understand English and had no knowledge about buying a house.”

It turns out that IFSI’s Housing Counseling Program provides all of these services mentioned by Mr. Tun, and more.

“We teach them about credit, rental counseling, different types of mortgages, like FHA, VA, or Conventional. We provide translation services and go on home inspections. We also teach them how to prepare the money for the down payment and closing costs,” said Samol Heng, Housing Counseling Program Coordinator.
Heng said there is assistance available for closing costs, through an $800 grant from the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD). IFSI applies for these grants on behalf of its clients in the program.
IFSI also hosts monthly workshops to teach prospective clients about the process of buying a home.

According to Evelyn Marcha-Hidalgo, IFSI Executive Director and CEO, “The Housing Counseling Program began in 1983 and since that time has provided tenant and home counseling for hundreds of families each year. Because our experienced Housing Counselors have multilingual capabilities, we are fortunately in a position to provide high-quality, culturally competent services.”

One World, Many Diverse Faces...
English as a Second

Language at IFSI

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By Pheralyn Dove

Dr. Anarug Sagar’s English As A Second Language (ESL) Class at IFSI rather looks like a veritable United Nations. The students come from at least 20 different countries, including Algeria, Thailand, Bulgaria, Senegal, Vietnam, Laos, Mali, China, Mexico, Croatia and Haiti.

“I think it’s so fascinating that we have all of these people in our wonderful city,” said Dr. Sagar.

This vibrant ESOL class is a hands-on, hearts-open interactive workshop. The movement is fluid, the students are focused, learning in earnest, responding to the teacher and to each other - concentrating on each task as it is offered up. IFSI hosts this class weekly. Beginner classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am to 12:30 p.m. and intermediate classes are conducted on Mondays and Wednesdays from noon to 2:30 p.m. Funds for the program are being provided by The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the Center for Literacy.

“We here at IFSI feel privileged to have a member of our surrounding community come in faithfully and teach these classes every year,” said Evelyn Marcha-Hidalgo, IFSI Executive Director and CEO. “There is a dire need for these literacy services as evidenced by the great diversity of people we have living in our community.”

On the day a visitor observed the class, Dr. Sagar’s lesson was about the slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. , in keeping with the national holiday that is annually commemorated in his honor. The class is broken up into two distinct groups - beginners and the more proficient. Each group is seated around a separate conference table.

Rekiya Ahmed, who is from the African nation of Ethiopia, states, “The class is very good. Before I can’t go outside by myself. I can’t talk English. Now I go by myself shopping, to the doctor, anyplace - no problem.”

Dr. Sagar passes around hand-outs as she reminds her class that, “Every sentence must begin with a capital letter.” Dr. Sagar then has the students read aloud alternately from the handout. She probes the students to “explain the concepts of equality versus inequality...”

Dr. Sagar is pleased with the answer: “Civil rights is equality for everybody.”
“January 15th is the national holiday for Dr. King - because that is the day he was born,” Dr. Sagar further explains.

“Now, what year did Martin Luther King get the Nobel Peace Prize?”

“Yes,” she confirms when a student correctly answers: “1964.”

“What were the first words of King’s famous speech in 1963?”

“I have a dream,” she tells them. “Not I ‘had’ a dream, but I ‘have’ a dream. You know the difference between ‘have’ and ‘had,’ right?”

“Who’s another famous person who wanted peace?” challenges the instructor.

A student raises his hand and answers: “Nelson Mandela.”

“Very good example,” praises Dr. Sagar. “Do you want to come and write his name on the board?”

And so the class continues, until - much too soon - it is time to adjourn.

Healthy Babies, Happy Moms
IFSI’s Healthy Start Program

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By Pheralyn Dove

Social work does not always conveniently fit between the hours of nine to five, Mondays through Fridays. Especially when a crisis arises or when new babies are involved. Just ask Le-Linh Diep Hoang, Program Coordinator for IFSI’s Healthy Start, a program that provides services for predominantly low-income Asian pregnant women and new mothers living in West and Southwest Philadelphia.
“I stay in the hospital very late sometimes, for long, long hours, while the mothers are in labor, waiting until delivery,” explains Le-Linh. “Imagine - pregnant, no English, and no information about our culture? For an immigrant, everything is new. We give them a lot of great help. We interpret when they see doctors, we’re there during check ups, ultra sounds, delivery, even after delivery and postpartum, we sometimes confront the baby’s problems. As Healthy Start’s Program Coordinator, I provide very intensive services.”

Le-Linh was right there when Tuyet Tran gave birth to her baby at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. This was an especially triumphant occasion because of all the trauma this woman had been through.

“Tuyet Tran is a Vietnamese young lady who attempted suicide when she was pregnant because of physical abuse from her boyfriend. She cut her wrists and her chest. I helped her a lot. She feels like I’m her mother because of my concern for her. She did not speak English. Because of our program here at IFSI, I was able to give her clothing, food, everything.”

Today, a year later, free from her abusive relationship, mother and baby are doing just fine.

“Le-Linh helped me to get a new life,” beams Tuyet. “She did so much for me and my baby. I really appreciate it very much!”

IFSI’s Healthy Start Program is funded by the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health, Division of Early Childhood, Youth and Women’s Health. Our innovative program provides valuable information to young immigrant mothers, including cultural and language interpretation services, health care information, referrals to health care services, transportation, information about child care services, home visits, support groups, referrals to drug and alcohol programs, family planning counseling, referrals to lending closets for newborn supplies, and much more.

“This job is most rewarding,” says a smiling, enthusiastic Le-Linh. “You teach them how to raise a healthy baby and to be a happy mother. I feel really happy when I can help people. Helping others means I can help myself. I learn a lot through my job - through my serving. Not only am I helping, I am learning.”

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