 MULTI-CULTURAL CENTER PROGRAMMING
Programming provided at the Center is free of charge to participants. Please call the Multi-Cultural Center for details on dates and times of programming, which include the following:
Youth Programs
Cultural Appreciation, Respect & Education (C.A.R.E.) Program
This summer day-camp serves 3rd - 8th graders in three separate two week sessions. Camps are divided into elementary and middle sessions that run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday with lunch and snacks provided. This camp is free of charge to all participants. Campers represent the local community as well as numerous ethnic groups. All campers are exposed to a variety of community businesses, organizations, and recreational opportunities. They also spend time in structured activities, ranging from team-building events, physical activities, video production, and nutritional instruction. The six pillars of Character Counts! serve as the foundation for all values education within the C.A.R.E. program.
After-School Program
The Center offers after-school programming throughout the academic year for area youth. Middle-school youth meet at the Center for 2 hours, four days a week. The afer-school program activities include 4-H, basketball, homework help, diversity day, Junior Achievement, soccer and many other activities. Native Youth club is held on Friday afternoon for 2 hours. Participation in the after-school program is free to all participants. Program evaluations have demonstrated increased self-esteem, team building skills, communication skills and physical well-being as a result of regular involvement with the program.
Youth Task Force
Developed in the spring of 1999, the Youth Task Force is comprised of ethnic youth from local middle and high schools. The Task Force meets monthly and is charged with the responsibility of addressing issues and concerns of youth, developing responses to those concerns, and then implementing programs created to resolve specific youth-based needs. The Youth Task Force was instrumental in the implementation of the first Ethnic Youth Day held at the Center in May of 1999. Modeled on the Crime Prevention & Safety Task Force orientation program, Ethnic Youth Day provided a structured orientation to the community's laws and norms for ethnic high school youth. The Ethnic Youth Day was organized and moderated by the Youth Task Force representatives, providing them the opportunity to further develop their collaborative leadership skills. Ethnic Youth Day will continue to be a yearly event.
Diversity Consultants
The Center provides assistance and advocacy to ethnic and minority students and their families through an effort with the Sioux Falls school system. Specific outreach work is provided though the Center's Diversity Consultants at Axtell Park and Whittier middle schools. Various programs have developed through the outreach of their work including artist residencies, video club, Native American programming, and other community-building events.
Augustana Reads
This unique after-school reading program was developed in response to the, “America Reads Challenge” that targets youth with limited English proficiency. The Center, in a cooperative effort with Augustana College and the school district, provides tutoring sessions for elementary-aged students in order to expand their reading and communication skills. The program runs after-school Monday through Thursday and currently reaches youth from Hawthorne and Terry Redlin elementary schools. Evidence of improved reading, writing and speaking skills have been shown through district testing, and tutors have gained knowledge of cultural diversity and new teaching techniques. Student contact hours during the school year total over 2000 hours.
Karate
The Center began to offer Karate in 1999. Karate classes take place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and involve participants ranging in ages from 8 to 19. This is a progressively intensive program with professionally qualified black-belt instructors that teach both the physical skills and the mental discipline integral to the practice of this martial art form. No fees are charged to program participants, making it possible for people of all socioeconomic levels to attend and achieve.
Community Service & Orientation Programs
The Career Closet
Established originally through the Center for Women at the University of Sioux Falls, the Career Closet moved to its new home at the Multi-Cultural Center in May of 1999. The Closet is open to the public during regular Center business hours and it provides good quality career and work wear for both men and women. Donations of clothing and accessories are received from the public on a regular basis making it possible for the Center to serve a large number of clients. Clothing items are offered free-of-charge to anyone in need. No limits are placed upon the number of items selected. Visitors are encouraged to take whatever is needed for them to be able to enter, or continue within the workforce. The Closet serves the city of Sioux Falls and the greater Sioux Empire.
Cultural Celebrations
The Center serves as the site for a variety of cultural celebrations held throughout the year. Various ethnic communities use the Center as a host for their events. The Center's staff supports the planning and publicity of these cultural activities. Specific events include, but are not limited to, various New Year's celebrations, independence celebrations, arts & dance festivals, youth cultural festivals, and a Native American Wacipi.
English as a Second Language
Through a cooperative partnership with Southeast Technical Institute, the Multi-Cultural Center provides English language instruction on Monday and Wednesday wit morning and evening sessions. Students attend six-week sessions and receive a certificate after completing the session. English language instruction programs are free and open to the public. Specially trained, master'level instructors provide a comprehensive instructional program designed to increase both conversational and written comprehension. The Center encourages immigrants and refugees to hold onto their native languages and customs, but also to learn English to help them better adjust and thrive in our community.
EFNEP (Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program)
The Cooperative Extension Service of Minnehaha County provides the expertise and training component for nutritional programming at the Center. Ethnic community members participate in sessions to learn the rudiments of food purchase and preparation that combine their food preferences from their home countries with foods and products that are available locally. Instruction includes food safety, understanding product labels and information, recipes and preparation, and food budgets. EFNEP programming involves both youth and adult participants.
Housing Partnerships
The Center, in collaboration with area housing professionals and housing organizations is developing a program whereby ethnic and minority individuals and families can learn about and eventually become homeowners. Utilizing state and federal programs designed to assist first-time homebuyers, the program will identify specific strategies and processes for persons who would not otherwise be able to purchase housing. Additional educational support and home mentors will augment the program, thus ensuring that new homeowners will remain successful homeowners for many years to come.
Ethnic Community Meetings
Organized chapters of the various ethnic communities in Sioux Falls meet regularly at the Center. Meetings most often occur on Sunday afternoons. The Center serves as the host site for groups ranging in size from 25 to 150 members. Community meetings are held regularly to promote communication, enhance community and cultural spirit, and provide a venue whereby members convene for fellowship, to discuss issues and concerns, and develop strategies to improve the quality of life for their respective communities.
Driver Education Program for the Ethnic Communities
Newcomers to the community face many challenges when trying to develop safe driving skills. The Center has partnered with the South Dakota Safety Council to offer classroom instruction and then, behind-the-wheel instruction for those participants that have completed the classroom training. Translators are provided by the Center in languages including Amharic, Arabic, Spanish, Russian, Bosnian, and more. Certified trainers work along with translators to ensure that participants fully comprehend the materials and applications of the program. The Sioux Falls Police Department provides statistical tracking information regarding the impact of the training programs.
Small Business & Financial Education
The Center has partnered with the U.S. Small Business Administration, with the endorsement of the City of Sioux Falls, to serve as an SBA site for minority business development. The Center, with SBA and SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives), provides on-going educational training and support for newcomers and minorities who wish to establish their own small businesses.
Computer Lab
The Center's computer lab is available for people to access news from their countries, via the internet, work on resumes for job searches, homework for youth and adults alike, or practice their keyboarding.
Safety Task Force
The Center recognizes that many refugees and immigrants bring negative perceptions about law enforcement and government with them as they immigrate to the United States. As a result, the Center has developed a nationally recognized program that provides orientation services to community newcomers. Representatives from the state's attorney's office, the sheriff's department, the police department, the fire department and emergency rescue personnel, as well as the Mayor join with the staff of the Center to meet with ethnic communities. Numbers of participants range from 45 to 175 per session, depending upon the particular ethnic population. Informal sessions make it possible for all present to develop rapport, gain information and have their questions answered. Not only do the civic representatives orient the newcomers, but they also receive important information as well. This program works to reduce the numbers of incidents of misunderstandings, and violations of local laws and community norms.
Immigration & Naturalization Assistance
The Center now offers open Immigration and Naturalization (I.N.S.) help sessions to the community at large. An immigration specialist is available at the Center for an average of 16 hours bi-monthly. Any questions, or concerns in reference to the immigration processes, or paperwork may be addressed in these sessions. In order for the Center of best assist you, please call our office to schedule an appointment time with the immigration specialist. These visits are offered free of charge.
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