Living in a new country and not being fluent in the spoken language can stop a lot a folks from venturing out and meeting new people. But it didn’t stop Catherline Lo Wong. It is the reward of making friends, developing new relationships and exploring the many opportunities that come her way as her English improves that continues to motivate her.

Catherline is so aware of the advantages of speaking fluent English that she volunteers at the Family Support Center with the ESL Talk Time, every Thursday from 11:00 –12:30. She says that as an immigrant herself she knows the struggle it can be to try to make a better life for yourself in a new country. Catherline, her husband, 2 daughters and a son, arrived in the USA in Feb. 2002. Her name was drawn from the first ever Immigration Lottery in Taiwan. They settled in Mountlake Terrace and now own a home in Lynnwood. Her husband has been dividing his time between Taiwan & the US. He will join them full time next year. 

Catherline learned about the Family Support Center from an article in the Enterprise featuring our conversation class, Talk Time. She said that when she came to the Center to find out more about the class, she was greeted warmly  by staff. “The Family Support Center is like a family”, she said.  “I feel so welcome when I walk through the door.” Catherline shared, “Grammar is not as big a problem as having some place to practice English conversation.” In order to be able to immigrate you need to take English grammar. It is learning to speak fluently that is the challenge for many immigrants.”

Other talents Catherline has shared with her new community through the Family Support Center are her skills as an artist by offering free Chinese Calligraphy classes, and  sharing

 information about her culture. The photo at right is an example of Catherline’s art. This is entitled LOVE and was selected for exhibition in an art contest sponsored by Lynnwood Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts Dept. earlier this year. The call was to create a piece of art with RED as the theme. Nice work, Catherline! You have shared so much with this community and we’d like to take this opportunity to say Thank You,

BE A GIFT!

Whether you’re an overworked mom who knows how to balance her checkbook, or a guy who knows how to build a birdhouse, you can be a gift to others. If you’re a retired librarian who loves to read and do research, we can help you make a difference in someone’s life.

For example, one day Tonnie Wolfe, a practicing family therapist, came to the Center and offered to teach a class for parents who have strong willed and very active children. She called it ‘Parenting Your Spirited Child’. It was so successful that she has continued to offer it exclusively thru Family Support Center for more than 5 years!

Then there is the retired teacher, who showed up with a desire to help immigrants learn English. Gerry Dixon offered to facilitate an ESL class more than 6 years ago and she is still volunteering 1 day a week helping folks improve their confidence as English speakers thru our Talk Time conversation class.

Individuals can volunteer for specific events/activities like the family who volunteered to do coordinate a quarterly program we have called Evening Out. And opportunities for groups, like the Adobe group who helped paint the playroom. There are generous folks who volunteer to meet monthly to help FSC continue the mission of building connections & creating partnerships that enhance a families capacity to nurture their members and strengthen their community. 

Families are waiting for you to share your gift!