Project SHINE is a national service learning initiative that mobilizes college students and community members from diverse cultures to help older immigrants and refugees learn English, prepare for US citizenship, and gain health literacy skills.
Project SHINE was founded by The Intergenerational Center at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The Intergenerational Center at Temple University is dedicated to strengthening communities by bringing generations together to meet the needs of individuals and families throughout the life cycle. Established in 1979, the Intergenerational Learning is a national resource for intergenerational programming.
Project SHINE’s Goals
Promote intercultural and intergenerational understanding within diverse communities Improve the ability of older immigrants to access healthcare, exercise their rights, and perform their responsibilities as family and community members Increase the academic knowledge, personal growth and civic engagement of college students Enhance the ability of faculty members to create stronger links between community service and academic coursework Build the capacity of community colleges and universities to develop sustainable, mutually beneficial partnerships with immigrant communities.
One Somali refugee woman shared this thought: “If you come to a country where everyone has only one eye, you’d have to take out one of your eyes to fit in. Integration is THAT painful.”
Project SHINE is growing and is already partnered with 31 colleges and universities across the nation. Check out their site and look to get involved with great organizations like this. Integration into a new culture, language, and society is not an easy task but that is why you can get involved and help.
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