Help for Refugees

In these uncertain times having a safe and welcoming place to go for education for our refugee customers is vital. The Clarkston Community Center provides classes to assist people in acclimating to a new culture and language and special events to update people on the current status of our laws pertaining to refugees and immigrants.

We need your help to continue offering these programs which are important to the lives of our refugees.  Please donate and help us out!

We offer on a regular basis the following classes and services:
  • Art as a Second Language – Art taught by professional artists from VSA and Mason Fine Arts Gallery – no experience needed to participate.  The class meets every second Tuesday and Wednesday of every month from noon to 3:00 pm
  • Citizenship ClassesThe Literacy Action volunteers teach the information you need to pass your citizenship test. The class meets every Monday and Thursdays from 9:30 to Noon
    Clarkston Youth Development – is the result of an ongoing need to address many problems faced by the young adults in their homes, schools, and social communities. These issues include addressing: youth violence, cultural diversity, health inequities, and obstacles to educational attainment. High School students, identified by the Community Center, teach their peers on a subject matter every week for 10 weeks. On Tuesdays we will train the High School students on a subject, for example bullying.  On Thursdays the trainers will present their topic to the students and lead the discussions around the topic.  This will be interactive and informational.  The goal is to improve the self-image and understanding for these middle school students by addressing hard and important topics.  It is vitally important to City of Clarkston that the students have an alternative to gangs. By joining the after school program these students will become confident and address the issues which they will face on a daily basis.
  • Communicycle – a program run by volunteers which help repair bicycles for residents, give bicycle safety lessons, accept bicycle donations which are given to people in need as well as helmets generously donated by the City.  The Communicycle is open on Thursday and Friday afternoons from 4:00 to 7:00.
  • Dancing for Seniors –  is taught by a professional dancer from Core Dance on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from noon to 1:00 pm
  • ESL for Seniors – is on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 9:30 to noon.  The class is divided into 2 sections,
    one for beginners and another for advanced learners
  • Food Pantry –  the pantry is open to all who are in need of food.  It is held twice a month on Saturdays from 9:30 to 11:30.  The amount of food given to each family depends on the number of people in the family.  We supplement the canned food with fresh produce from our vegetable garden. 
  • Home Goods Job Opportunities – meets Wednesdays from 12:30 to 3:00
  • Soccer in the Streets – practices on the soccer field everyday from 5:30 to 7:30
  • STEAM Summer CampCamp will begin on June 5th to July 31st.  We will be concentrating on the basic school classwork and concepts of science, technology, English, art, social studies and math.
  • Tai Chi for Seniors – is on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 8:45 to 9:30
  • Vietnamese Games – Join us for a fun time playing traditional games
    When:  Every Tuesday from 9:00 to noon
  • VITA Income Tax Help – Saturdays starting on February 18th at 10:00 to 2:00