International Institute SAINT LOUIS EXPLORING THE PEOPLES AND CULTURES OF ST. LOUIS AND THE WORLD
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t he Festival of Nations will blossom June 9 and 10 in
historic Tower Grove Park on the City's Southside.
Organized by the International Institute, the weekend festival
will promote our community's growing ethnic and cultural
diversity, its thriving International District , and the multi
faceted neighborhoods surrounding the park.
The festival will include features like those of the popular
International Folkfest, sponsored by the Institute each fall ,
including toe-tapping ethnic music and dance, craft demon
strations and children's activities.
Rem ember to bring a hearty appetite! Try one of the dozen
food booths featuring mouthwatering ethnic delights, such as
Egyptian meat and spinach pies, Ethiopian sambusa, Filipino
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kabobs , Mexican tamales, Polish sausage and Romanian sarma. Vietnamese lion dance at the International Festival in June 2000. In the gift booth area, you can find Ecuadorian tapestries,
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Guatemalan vests, Nepalese jewelry, and Russian nesting dolls. They will also share the spotlight with representatives of
On the main stage, performers from around the world will today's community groups, local institutions, and neighbor-
give us a sense of urban cultural diversity From Spain to hood and religious organizations.
FES OF
VAL ONS
Tower Grove Park (SE Corner)
June 9th 11:30 am---7 pm
June 10 Noon---6 pm
Parade of Nations on S. Grand Blvd. June 9th, 11 am
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Japan, Bosnia to Mali, China to Ireland, the festival is a living
lesson in geography. You may have to consult your atlas for
some little known traditions now present in St. Louis. Quick!
Where's Uzbekistan? Guadeloupe? Slovenia? You'll have to
come to the festival to enjoy their beautiful music and dance.
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FESTIVAL ___ OF __ _
NATIONS INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE
Children's activities include
a special area where kids can
create their own ethnic crafts.
Mexican maracas and Japanese
crowns are among the treasures
to be created.
In a nearby pavilion master
artists demonstrate and help
the kids learn traditional arts,
including Nigerian tie-dying
and Chinese calligraphy. Listen
to ethnic storytellers share tales
of heritages from the Iroquois,
Kenya, Israel and the Congo.
On Sunday afternoon, there's a special treat - an interna
tional petting zoo. It's a chance to play with animals from
around the world, from a South American llama, to a baby
Arabian camel, to an African tortoise and Chinese chickens.
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The weekend festivities kick off Saturday at 11 a.m. with
the Parade of Nations on Grand Blvd. The Parade begins at
St. Pius V Church & School and winds through the thriving
Grand South Grand International Business District.
See our immigrant heritage on parade as ethnic performers
sing and dance down S. Grand Blvd. in traditional costumes.
African drummers, Sri Lankan stick dancers, and colorfully
costumed children of German, Italian, and Lao heritage will
join in to celebrate our city's cultural diversity, old and new.
A PROJECT OF THE iNTERN41/0NAL iNSTITUTE.
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characters from Six Flags Over Mid-America will be joining
us in the Parade of Nations. Daffy Duck®and Bugs Bunny®
go global, wearing international costumes as they ride in the
parade. Stick around after the parade and get your picture
taken with your comic heroes.
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For the sports enthusiast, watch tradition in the making at
the first St. Louis International Soccer Cup. This two-day,
invitational, 6-on-6 half-field soccer tournament will feature
adult teams from St. Louis' African, Bosnian, Asian, Mexican,
Middle Eastern, and South American communities. This most
international of sports gives us an insight into how amazingly
diverse our own community is becoming.
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Six Flags St. Louis salutes the richness of international
traditions as the Six Flags World's Fair debuts June 4 - 24.
During this limited engagement, a trip to Six Flags is a trip
around the world!
Experience the treasures of diverse cultures through live
authentic stage shows, exciting street entertainment, ethnic
foods and native arts and crafts.
As part of the World's Fair entertainment, you can see
The Peking Acrobats® from China, The Lemedi Youth Dance
Company from the Republic of Georgia, The Famous People
Players - known for spectacular "black light" shows and Kan
Pai, a Japanese spinning and juggling act.
Joining these internationally acclaimed troupes will be some of
the best of our local ethnic entertainers. And ever-popular ethnic
food and gifts will, of course, be available to Six Flags visitors.
At Festival of Nations, pick up a special discount coupon for
gate admission to Six Flags.
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SPECTR.UM
Helping Refugee Youth Succeed in School
chool Tutoring A er..,. f;1 s E~lf1 get;t uth SiJcceed
I'.=;' rom learning numbers to doing algebra in the span of two years is the remarkable success story of one student in
the International Institute's After-School Tutoring Program.
"Many of our participants struggle to comprehend homework, because of language problems," said Jane Knirr, Community Links Program Manager. "Our tutors help the students
understand what needs to be done, how to do it, and also helps the students develop skills so that can learn to complete homework on their own."
The tutoring program assisted 77 middle school and high
school participants last year. These students are mainly from Somalia, Afghanistan, Ethiopia and Sierra Leone. They attend two-hour tutoring sessions held Monday through Friday at Messiah Lutheran Church School near Tower Grove Park.
Marilou Connoyer, After-School Lead Teacher, says the students have been performing consistently well this year. She says that most of the kids who come to the program have improved their grades and that some are even on the honor roll this year.
Connoyer tells a great success story for the program, involving two sisters from Sierra Leone who arrived in the u.S. last
year. On their arrival, the public school placed the girls in grades by age rather than by skills.
"The older of the two sisters said school was tough, and she wanted to quit,"said Connoyer. "We told her to hang on, come to tutoring, and things would get better."
"In her first year of tutoring, she was learning letters and numbers. and now in her second year, I'm helping her wi.lh her algebra homework!" added Connoyer. "Both sisters have shown huge improvements and can now read and write in English."
But, the students aren't the only ones that benefit from the After-School Tutoring Program. Connoyer said the volunteer tutors from area colleges also benefit.
Students receive one-on-one tutoring support from volunteers in the Institute's After-School Program.
"The program provides a great learning experience for both the students and the tutors. The tutors learn to relate to younger kids from diverse cultures, while the students are able to interact with young adults who can serve as an important role models," said Connoyer.
You Can Help
SeA Friend!
SPECTRUM
Ketugees NeeCl YOur' Schools, churches and neighborhood associations often want to know how they can help refugee families get settled in St Louis.
A great way to help is to organize a collection drive for household cleaning products, baby items and school supplies. Listed below
are items you can donate to the International Institute.
Unfortunately, the International Institute is unable to accept donations of used clothing (except baby items). Handling used
clothing requires considerable time, storage space and logistical resources to sort and distribute. Cash donations enable the Institute
to acquire immediately the exact supplies that are needed, whether it be clothing, furniture or household items.
BABY ITEMS:
• baby lotion • baby powder • baby wipes • bottles • baby
beds/cribs • strollers and walkers • car seats • highchairs • baby clothes
and shoes • plastic pants • diapers • formula
SCHOOL SUPPLIES:
• backpackslbookbags • spiral notebooks • pocket folders • new calculators • dictionaries • packages
of looseleaf paper
• packages of pens/penclls
• crayons, colored pencils/markers
CLEANING SUPPLIES:
• buckets • sponges • cleaning liquids • cleaning powders • toilet brushes • dish soap • brooms • mops
IN-KIND GOODS AND SERVICES: If you own or know of a business that makes or sells t -shirts, hats, etc. or has overstocked, discontinued or unneeded items, please let the International Institute know. Not only can companies donate these items and receive tax deductions, but also our clients can benefit.
A PROJECT OF THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE
S litle Lee: .. Ica,n-
or more years,
has been keeping his cultural tradi
tions alive in St. Louis.
He is founder and director of the
East St. Louis Community Performance
Ensemble, a company of dancers, singers
and musicians who present traditional
dances and music of Africa and the
West Indies.
Mr. Lee's artistic abilities have received
nationwide attention. Mr. Lee was the
inaugural recipient of the Miles Davis
Entertainer of the Year award given by
Better Family Life.
In 1999, he was featured in the
Smithsonian Institute's "River of Song:
A Musical Journey down the Mississippi."
The project included a four-hour, four
part documentary series about contem
porary music along the Mississippi River,
which aired on PBS and public radio .
A two-CD soundtrack and a 352-page
book were also produced.
Also, in 1999, the group was featured
in TIME Magazine. In addition, they
performed for President Bill Clinton on
a visit to East St. Louis, and for Harry
Bellefonte and Danny Glover at Katherine
Dunham's 94th birthday celebration.
Each August, the group performs at the
Illinois State Fair.
Since 1992, St. Louisans have had the
opportunity to enjoy the company's
thrilling and colorful performances at the
annual International Folkfest in October.
Mr. Lee says that by teaching children
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East St. Louis Community Performance Ensemble involves dancers of all ages.
I received my cultural knowledge through Katherine Dunham. She had
African drummers and dancers that came
from different parts of Africa, and I
learned from those individuals. In 1985,
I had a chance to go to Africa and study
for a month. I already knew drumming
and dancing, but I studied choreography
and the history of the dances.
When did you start teaching others? In 1979 I started teaching drumming,
to build the foundation for authentic
die because the younger generation will
keep this going.
Why do you think it is important to pass your knowledge of the African drumming tradition and dances on to the younger generation?
I am driven by the African drumming
and dance tradition because it was some
thing that was taken from us, and we
couldn't teach it regularly Now we want
to pass it down so that our children can
know their own history We live our
culture the way we use slang, wear our
hair, walk and talk. That's our culture,
and passing on our culture keeps it alive.
How many people make up the East Saint Louis Community Performance Ensemble?
There are 28 in the road company 12
drummers, and 16 dancers , stilt-walkers
and fire-eaters. The road company travels
for different events. New beginners are
"apprentices" who take classes Mon.- Fri.
to try to work their way into the road
company So if llose an older or younger
dancer for whatever reason, 1 will then ask
an apprentice to join the road company
What is the age range of the group? I try to use a holistic approach, so our
group ranges from ages 4 to 58, which
allows us to tell the story with the chore
ography of the family through the arts.
How does your teaching impact your
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Preserving C::u/tural Traditions
the dances and drum rhythms of Africa,
he aims to instill pride in their heritage
and build their self-esteem. Here are some
excerpts from an interview he did with
Charity Laleman, the Institute's Public
Relations Manager.
St. Louis Ensemble was born. We've been
together for 23 years now. I hear comments from people saying
the children are well disciplined, they
take care of business and are professional
off and on stage. This diScipline spills Since you began teaching, how many people have you taught?
over into their life. If choreography teaches
you to think faster so will it be in your
classroom. That's why I have about 19
performers who are honor roll students.
How did you learn the dances and drum
rhythms that you now are passing on to others in your performances and teaching?
I am now teaching a third generation of
children. Some of the children that started
with me in 1979 are grown and have
children and even grandchildren of their
own that are now participating in our
Refugees: 2000Year in Review gain last year, large numbers of St. Louis-bound refugees
created a record-setting need for resettlement services in
our community
In 2000, the International Institute, Missouri's largest resettlement
agency, resettled 1,253 refugees. Staff and volunteers of Catholic
Charities Refugee Services sponsored another 565. Thus, the total
number of refugees directly sponsored was more than 1,800.
Thousands more refugees, referred to as secondary migrants,
moved to St. louis after having been initially sponsored elsewhere
in the US. They were drawn to our community by its affordable
housing, job market and top quality resettlement services.
"In all, more than 72,000 refugees were admitted to the US
during federal FY 2000," said Anna Crosslin, President and CEO
of the International Institute. "I wouldn't be surprised to learn
that between six and eight percent of them eventually landed in
St. louis," she added.
The majority of refugees sponsored during the year were
Bosnians - more than 70% of the 1,800. Most of the secondary
migrants moving to St. Louis were Bosnian, too.
"We now estimate the Bosnian community in the St. Louis
region has more than 30,000 members," said Crosslin. "Nearly
one in four Bosnian refugees in the US now call St. Louis home."
Most of these new arrivals live in South City neighborhoods
near their sponsoring agencies. Crosslin says that according to
her agencys mailing list, more than 70% of the Bosnians they
have served live in the City of St. louis.
A PROJECT OF THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE
"Refugees, primarily Bosnian and Vietnamese, could represent
as much as 10 percent of the City'S population," said Crosslin.
"If newly arriving immigrants, especially Mexicans and Central
Americans, are also considered, the percentage would increase
significantly"
The International Institute's services have grown to meet the
needs of this growing population. Last year, more than 8,000
refugees and immigrants from 60 countries learned English,
sought jobs and received counseling and/or other services
through agency programs.
As the number of refugees has grown, the Institute has
diversified its services. For instance, the agency now offers job
upgrading and career planning as well as initial job placement
services. There are also specialized services for the elderly and
for youth as well as extensive mental health services.
In 2001, the refugee flow is expected to continue to diversify
as the Bosnian numbers begin to drop.
"US resettlement of Bosnians from Germany is just about com
plete," said Crosslin. "In the next year or so, the Bosnian program
is expected to reflect sharp decreases."
"Already, the list of countries from which most refugees will be
coming reads like an atlas: Afghanistan, Congo, Iraq, Nigeria,
Somalia, Ukraine, and Vietnam," she added.
Anyone wishing to volunteer or make a donation to
refugee resettlement, should call the International Institute at
(314) 773-9090 or Catholic Charities at (314) 771-2570.
Refugees Now Represent as Much as 10% of the City's Population
SPECTRUM
2001 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
This year, officers of the Board are:
Chair - Linda Morice, PhD, Assistant Superintendent for Personnel of Ladue School District; Vice-Chair - Richard Tao, President of May Design and Construction Company; Secretary - Barbara Qureshi, community volunteer; and Treasurer - David Kirkland, President of Hallmark Senior Housing, Inc.
Newly-elected Board members include: Amparo Kollman-Moore, Consultant; Ellen Sherberg, Publisher of the St. Louis Business Journal; and Helen Turner, Consultant.
Members re-elected to the Board include: Marlene Altman, consultant; Robin Carnahan, President, Global Ventures LLC; Sharon Harvey Davis, VP, Corporate Affairs, Adam's Mark Hotel & Resorts; Judy Failoni, Chair, Department of Education &: Special Education, Fontbonne College; Zach Hummel, Attorney &: Partner, Bryan Cave LLP; Karen Isbell, Director, Marketing &: Development, Cooperating School Districts; Grace Yin Lo,
Purina Company; and Rosa SchwarzHonorary Consul for Peru in St. Louis.
At the Annual Meeting in January, the
l Institute also expressed its appreciation to three retiring Board members: Brett Campbell, Kei Pang and Mark Wolters.
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Margie Wolcott May Remembered
Last month, Margie Wolcott May,
long-time Board member and friend
of the International Institute, passed
away. Mrs. May joined the Board in
1984, serving on it continuously until
her death on April 8. "Margie strongly
believed that global peace was only
possible through understanding,
communication, and cooperation," said
Anna Crosslin, the Institutes president.
"She labored long and hard to broaden
our community's appreciation of cultural
and ethnic diversity."
Among Mrs. May's many endeavors,
several efforts stand out. In 1989,
she worked to establish the International
Institute Award designed by Vietnamese
artist, Lebadang. The award is given
biennially to an Institute volunteer in
recognition of extraordinary service.
Mrs. May was its recipient in 1991.
In the same year on the occasion of
the Institute's 70th anniversary, Mrs. May
spearheaded the establishment of the
Ruth Halliday Watkins Endowment
Margie Wolcott May with Lebadang at the Adams Mark Hotel in St. wuis on the occasion oj the establishment oj the International Institute Award in 1989. Lebadang, Jamous Vietnamese artist living in Paris, deSigned the award which recognizes the spirit oj volunteerism at the Institute.
Fund. Mrs. Watkins was the Institute's first president, serving
from 1919 to 1923.
More recently, Mrs. May served as honorary co-chair
of the Institute's highly successful New Beginnings Campaign.
so that 30% more new Americans could be served.
"The increasingly rich ethnic and cultural diversity of St. Louis
today is also part of Margie's legacy," said Mrs. Crosslin. "Her
efforts on behalf of the Institute have touched the lives of
thousands of vulnerable newcomers, who are starting their lives
over again in St. Louis."
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