SAN FELIPE/INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE “FIRST THINGS FIRST” PROGRAM

"First Things First" is a specialized educational program for refugee mothers and their children resettling in San Diego from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Funded by a collaboration between San Felipe Humanitarian Alliance (SFHA) and International Rescue Committee (IRC), families are enrolled in the program soon after their arrival in the United States. While the mothers are in class learning English, their preschool children are also in "class," learning socialization, linguistic, and motor skills.

"First Things First" or FTF experienced a rewarding year in 2005, providing innovative services for 59 mothers and more than 60 of their children. Over 40% of the mothers have continued their education and nearly 30% have obtained employment. FTF enables refugee mothers and their young children to avoid the isolation that comes from being resettled without essential daily living and coping skills, and of course language ability, in a new culture. Unlike older children who have acculturation opportunities in school, or fathers who have those experiences in work, these mothers and young children are learning to read and write, and learn about their new community, in a nurturing, positive setting. For many refugee mothers, this is their first opportunity to attend school and learn to read and write in any language. For refugee children, this program makes the difference between entering kindergarten ready- to- learn versus already behind.

Since the collaboration of SFHA and IRC in 2002, over 550 mothers and children have been inspired and supported to rebuild their lives.