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Elderly refugees face particularly steep challenges when they are resettled in the United States. Unlike younger refugees, many of the elderly do not go to work or school. Consequently, they often face a high degree of isolation which can lead to problems such as depression. Furthermore, elderly refugees depend on public benefits programs such as Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid, and Food Stamps. If refugees over the age of 65, however, do not attain citizenship within 9 years of their arrival in the United States, they are no longer eligible for these benefit programs.

The Louisville Elderly Refugee Program began in January 2008 in order to assist this especially vulnerable population and to help them overcome the many hurdles they face. The program hopes to improve the English skills of its participants to prepare the refugees to take the citizenship test, to provide opportunities for socialization, and to assist the refugees in learning how to access mainstream social services available in the Louisville community. The program meets twice per week from 10:00 a.m. until noon on Wednesday and Friday mornings at Gateway Community Church located at 4623 Southern Parkway.

Volunteers who want to work in the class must be able to attend the program gathering on Wednesday or Friday morning from 10am-noon. Volunteers will primarily assist the English and civics teachers during the class tutoring and practicing English with an individual or small group. Also, the volunteer will have the opportunity to chaperone field trips or become a mentor to an elderly client. Mentors (they are not required to attend the classes) would be required to spend at least 1 hour a week with their student practicing English and civics skills in order to have the client feel more comfortable and confident with taking the citizenship exam. The mentor can also take the client around town and promote societal integration so that the client can begin to become more independent and self-sufficient. Mentors meet with the elderly program coordinator to go over materials to be used and suggestions for successful relationship building before meeting their student(s).

Volunteers must attend an orientation and pass a background check before beginning. Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@kyrm.org or (502) 479-9180, ext. 53 to ask for an application and schedule an orientation. You can also visit our website at www.kyrm.org to learn more