Volunteer: Sarah Ribbers
Sarah found IIBA’s call for volunteer ESL and Civics instructors at our Redwood City office and began volunteering in February. Teaching a basic-level citizenship class would be new to Sarah, something she viewed as a challenge and learning opportunity. “This is my first time teaching students who have little to no formal education. I spend a good portion of class time teaching English as a base.”
Board President: Jennifer Beckett
Jennifer Beckett moved to San Francisco in 1989, just in time for the Loma Prieta earthquake. Undeterred by the rattling landscape, she settled in and made this city, and IIBA, her home. Jennifer joined the Board of Directors in 1990, attracted by “IIBA’s mission and programs,” which “facilitate citizenship and civic engagement, so people who are newcomers to this country can become productive and involved.”
Client: Yoseline Chavez
I was already motivated to become a U.S. citizen, and my academic dreams only encouraged me more. I began the citizenship process by getting in contact with International Institute of the Bay Area. Having a U.S. passport feels like having a key to the world.
Volunteer: Betty Labastida
I started volunteering with the International Institute of the Bay Area (IIBA) over three years ago. I attended IIBA's orientation and began helping individuals complete their citizenship applications. The flexible commitment really spoke to me. I have been volunteering about once a month since then.
IIBA Holiday Recipe Cards
These recipes have been prepared by IIBA clients to be shared with friends and supporters. We hope you enjoy sampling these international flavors in your own kitchen.
Engineering His Dream: Moises Bautista
We first introduced you to Moises in the winter of 2013. An ambitious and enthusiastic college student, Moises had come to the U.S. as a teenager to escape the growing dangers in his hometown in Mexico. While Moises was taking classes at Cañada Community College, IIBA helped him apply for U- Visa status.
IIBA Lead Citizenship Instructor: Anthony Moss
“I’ve always had a love for language. I’ve always liked working with people from different cultures and backgrounds,” says Anthony Moss. In his 11 years as IIBA’s lead citizenship instructor, Anthony has done exactly that, teaching an average of 400 citizenship students a year.
Citizenship Student: Shodi H.
“As a taxi driver, every day I pick up customers from different countries, who share their stories with me. This is very similar to my experience as a student in IIBA’s citizenship classes. I look at my classmates from Ukraine, Mexico, and China, and think, ‘Wow this is the United States,’” says Shodi.
Volunteer: Ariana Hoyt
Ariana Hoyt first began to work with the immigrant community while attending Stanford. “In college, I worked for a tutoring program for Stanford janitors. It opened my eyes to see the janitor I worked with go through so much, yet still make an effort to improve his English.” This experience solidified her desire to work with immigrants and eventually led her to volunteer at IIBA.
Volunteer: James Phelps
When high school student James Phelps began volunteering at IIBA, he knew his work would help others, but he had no idea the impact that volunteering would have on his own worldview.