When Signal Mountain resident Lisa Garbee started volunteering with Bridge Refugee Services' English as a Second Language program for adult refugees, she saw that the participants' children would either sit and wait while their parents learned, or participate in recreational activities.
When she returned a few weeks later, she brought books for the children, ranging from kindergarten through sixth grade. Garbee recognized that tutoring them as well would benefit both the children and their parents, who could then practice reading and speaking English together.
She organized a book drive, asking fellow members of the Chickamauga Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for donations. They contributed more than 100 American History and fiction books, about three-quarters of the books now used to tutor the 30-50 children who come each week. She also bought some inexpensive books from McKay's, and had some donated by the Signal Mountain Library.
Most of the refugees in the program are natives of Africa and the Middle East and speak Arabic as their first language, with some experience with English, Garbee said. She recruited more volunteers, who helped her work with the older children to bring their reading skills up to grade level.
The volunteers also began teaching the children about the history and culture, such as holidays, of their newly adopted country - of which they know very little but are eager to learn, said Garbee.
"These are people who are so grateful to be in America," she said. "They think America is wonderful, especially families who have daughters. There's really no hope for uneducated girls on the other side of the globe."
With the younger children they practice reading, and speaking if their parents and older siblings don't speak English at home. Some of the volunteers bring their children, who improve their own reading skills while helping younger refugee children with theirs, she said.
The program started with just eight children in August 2017.
Realizing most of the children had no books to read at home, or any other source of entertainment, Garbee wanted to give each child a book at their reading level, and another at the next level up. She has given 315 books, she said, with each child receiving at least two books - some, three or four - if they've leveled up, as she gives out more books to children who progress in their reading level. She also keeps 180 books in a lending library, as well as 80 reference books.
"We can tell they appreciate the books," Garbee said. "They put them in Ziploc bags to keep them neat and pristine. They treat them like rare treasures, and never set them on the ground."
The program can always use more volunteers to read with the children, as well as book donations, said Garbee. The books they go through most are soft-covered readers, steps 1-3, which she said are fairly inexpensive when purchased at McKay's or library book sales. People can also send monetary donations to Marilyn Long, treasurer of the DAR chapter's literacy committee, at 171 Woodcliff Circle, Signal Mountain, TN 37377.
For more information about volunteering, email Garbee at aualum1984@gmail.com. Book donations can be dropped off at Brainerd Crossroads (the BX), the Baptist church where the program is held, located at 4011 Austin St.
Email Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com.