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.

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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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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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