Becoming a U.S. Citizen

Yousif Kori, citizenship student at Skyline Literacy

              Yousif Kori moved with his family to Harrisonburg from Sudan in 2016 and works at Smithland School as the head custodian. He began taking English classes at Massanutten Technical Center before coming to Skyline Literacy to take a citizenship preparation course. Yousif heard about Skyline from a relative who has lived in the area for a while, and he decided to obtain his U.S. citizenship so that he could travel back to Sudan and make other life processes easier in the U.S.

              Yousif appreciated the citizenship preparation class because the teachers would explain a lot of the concepts and words that he could not understand on his own or learning from YouTube. With the help of volunteer instructors, he was able to understand the national government as well as the specifics of the Virginian government and officials. “The material provided by Skyline gave me a good understanding of how the citizenship test would be”, he says. Yousif also appreciated the kindness and explanations that the volunteer instructors provided. He is now encouraging his wife to take the citizenship preparation with Skyline.

              While Yousif could not always make it to every class because of his work in the evening, he was grateful for the flexibility and online features that Skyline provided. He officially became a U.S. citizen on June 4th after taking the citizenship preparation class at Skyline, passing the citizenship test with USCIS, and taking the oath during the naturalization ceremony. “I believe that it is very important to become a U.S. citizen because I live here now”, he says; “I would just like to thank Skyline Literacy – I know a lot of people who cannot read nor understand the U.S. citizenship process, and Skyline helps you do that.” In the future, Yousif plans to continue taking high-level English classes at Massanutten Technical Center, an educational partner of Skyline Literacy.

The Gratification of Education

Christal Reedy, Tutor & Literacy Programs Manager at Skyline Literacy

Christal Reedy, a native of Rockingham County, is the Tutor and Literacy Programs Manager at Skyline Literacy since September of 2020. She has been an educator for her entire career after graduating from Eastern Mennonite University undergraduate and master’s graduate programs, as well as recently acquiring an Education Specialist degree from Liberty University. She has taught high school Spanish, ESL, and special education for over 20 years. While she loves being an educator, she wanted an administrative role, which is why she accepted the position at Skyline Literacy, which allows her to combine her love for teaching with educational administration.

The first thing that stood out to Christal at Skyline Literacy was the kind and caring staff who worked with the adult learners of the Harrisonburg and Rockingham communities. She was amazed by the dedication of some of the volunteer educators who have been with Skyline for more than 5 years. “The dedication of long-term tutors is essential to the success of our programs”, Christal says. She loves seeing the relationships built between the tutors and students, as well as the improvement of literacy rates: “It is thrilling to be part of a successful educational program like Skyline”. She believes that people can learn, no matter what age or demographic.

The gratification of Christal’s job is what brings her to work every day. She loves seeing the success of students who have passed their U.S. citizenship test, improved their literacy levels, or are working to reach their educational potential. “The feedback and gratitude are the best part of my job”, Christal states. She goes on to say, “How rewarding it is to give back to the community, helping people improve literacy, which gives them the skills to be able to read to their children, engage in community and civic events, and be active in the workplace.” The basic tasks of daily living, that we so often take for granted, like going to a doctor’s appointment or completing a banking transaction, can be very challenging for someone who does not speak, write, or read the English language.

Skyline’s staff works tirelessly to provide customizable programs for their students in a variety of subjects featured in their programs. Christal was amazed by the supportive volunteer tutors and the students’ willingness to learn. Skyline redefines the traditional classroom by providing daytime and evening classes, online- and in-person classes, flexible scheduling for one-on-one tutoring, and a needs-based priority of the students. This allows for tutors and students to meet together amidst their busy lives. Christal reflects on the situation, “Many of Skyline’s students have many children and multiple jobs, so flexibility is key to their success in learning”. She encourages tutors to be flexible and dedicated to the students who want to learn, but do not always have the time or resources.

Christal says that the most challenging part of her job is maintaining student and volunteer retention rates, despite the flexibility that Skyline offers. Many people want to give their time or take time to be educated, but do not follow through with it. Nevertheless, Christal works persistently to encourage students and educators to take time for learning by adapting personalized strategies and opportunities for students and educators alike. She concludes by quoting James Matthew Barrie, “Those who bring sunshine to others cannot keep it from themselves.”

If you are interested in volunteering with Skyline Literacy, please reach out to Christal Reedy at creedy@skylineliteracy.org or by calling 540-433-0505. “We are always in need of volunteers, and it is a very gratifying experience for all involved! We are happy to place you where you are needed that will fit your strengths, while also benefiting our students. Thank you!” – Christal Reedy

2022 Awards Ceremony

Thank you to all our staff, volunteers, and students who came out to our Awards Ceremony on May 13, 2022. During our Awards Ceremony, we celebrate the success of all our students who have completed our programs and those who have become U.S. citizens. We also award all the volunteer tutors who have dedicated their time and energy to teaching these students.

Expanding Access to Education

 When Jyar Abdulla graduated with her B.A. in international affairs in 2018, she knew two things: she loved working with immigrants, and she placed a high value on education. A few months later, in the summer of 2019, Abdulla found an opportunity that brought together these two passions-- a job as the program manager for Skyline Literacy.

       Abdulla’s job with Skyline is relational and student focused. She is often the person getting students plugged in with classes, helping them navigate potential obstacles for attendance and retention, and touching base with students to hear how classes are going.

       When asked why Skyline works for students, Abdulla cites the programs versatility as a major factor in its success. “We offer classes online and in-person, so we can really help students who may not be able to make the in-person class work with their situation or schedule.” It is this versatility that has led to students from all over the country to sign up for Skyline’s online citizenship class. “I’ve had students from Florida and Michigan contact me for our citizenship classes” Abdulla says. “We know the need is there, because we have these students signing up."

       “The hardest part of my job is keeping retention in classes…sometimes I cannot help with the obstacle the student is facing. I can’t change their job schedule, or provide childcare, or get them the transportation they need.” For the greater Harrisonburg & Rockingham community, Abdulla says that the work Skyline does matters because communities are like systems; if one part is struggling or needs help, then the whole system is impacted.

        “We should care because our learners are part of this community, and we should all help so our community can be better. For example, if someone at your workplace, someone at Cargill, is struggling with their English and cannot read a sign, then it’s not only dangerous for them, but dangerous for everyone on the production line. So, if we are able to help our neighbors, we are in a way, helping ourselves and our city.”

       Despite some of the difficulties and obstacles, Abdulla says that her favorite part of her job is watching a student reach their goal. “For example, when a student becomes a citizen, they almost always call me right after they pass. It makes me so happy, because we’ve worked hard to provide one-on-one tutoring or a class for them, and they’ve also put in the work and time to make this happen. So, it’s just really exciting for everyone.”

Creating Community in “The Friendly City"

A few years ago, Julie Logan found herself on the Skyline Literacy website. Logan had been searching for a way to be more involved in the volunteer community within Harrisonburg, and after signing up for tutor training sessions, she began her journey with Skyline as a level 1 tutor alongside her team teacher, Bill Reinhold. In addition to the joy she gets from teaching students, Logan says that teaching with Reinhold has been an extremely rewarding experience as she’s gotten to observe how his dedication and background knowledge has enriched the learning environment. 

Logan’s favorite part about teaching is simple-- getting to know her students. “As the students’ ability to speak English increases, they are willing to share aspects of their lives,” she says. Logan says that watching the motivation and progress of her students over the course of the year is impressive and exciting to see. The COVID-19 pandemic has made Logan miss seeing her students in person and getting to know them face-to-face. “I miss the personal interaction that can be had in a classroom setting” she adds. 

While Logan is a teacher for Skyline, she admits that she has also been a student in many regards as well. “I have learned a lot about the community of Harrisonburg by working with Skyline. Our community welcomes people from many different countries who speak a variety of languages.” Logan says that meeting and connecting with her students has taught her more about Harrisonburg, but also about other cultures and communities. 

Logan notes that organizations like Skyline Literacy help “the friendly city” of Harrisonburg become a stronger, more welcoming community. “Skyline Literacy helps folks by connecting them with steps to feel belonging to their own homes.” Logan encourages fellow Harrisonburg residents to support their local immigrant communities by investing in organizations like Skyline. “Helping people acquire a basic level of communication is the first step to citizenship,” Logan says, adding that Skyline Literacy is an integral part of making that first step possible. 

Opportunities to Learn: Adam Bashir

When Adam Bashir and his wife moved to the U.S. 5 years ago, they were living and working in Nebraska. While dealing with the business of everyday life, they were also attempting to adjust to their new home by trying to improve their English skills and learn more about the citizenship process.

Ashir says they decided to make the move to Harrisonburg after a friend reached out and told the Bashir’s about the opportunities in the city-- specifically opportunities with organizations like Skyline Literacy.

“My friend told me about Skyline about two years ago. When we moved to Harrisonburg, my wife started with Skyline, and then later, I started going too.” Adam says Skyline’s programs have been very helpful for him and his wife as they continue to live, work, and raise their family in Harrisonburg. In addition to learning English, Adam says the citizenship courses offered by Skyline are also helping him learn more about reading, writing, and U.S. history.

While attending Skyline classes has helped with gaining knowledge, Adam and his wife also view the classes as a long-term investment in their future in Harrisonburg and the U.S.

“My dream for the next 5 years is to get a good job, have my own home, and stay here in Harrisonburg, because there are so many great opportunities for me and my family here” Adam says.

“I feel so comfortable. I feel like I learn a lot. That’s important to me. I’m still learning English, so the teachers are so helpful, because they answer my questions and give me more than I need and ask for.” ”
— Adam Bashir, Student at Skyline Literacy

Living Together, Learning Together: Almas & Reda

For mother-daughter pair Almas and Reda, literacy is a family affair.

When Reda and her husband moved their three daughters from Yemen to Harrisonburg a little over 7 months ago, they knew they wanted to get their family involved with English classes as soon as possible. “I enjoy the English classes very much,” Almas says. “My teachers are happy when I ask questions, they let me understand everything and take things slowly when I need them to”

While Reda and Almas are involved with Skyline’s beginner English courses for adults, the family has also found opportunities for family learning through Skyline’s Family Literacy Nights. These weekly virtual sessions consist of a read-aloud of a children’s book by one of Skyline’s volunteer teachers, a craft that goes along with the story, and a discussion/share time where parents and their children get to read the stories together and talk about what they’ve learned.

Every Tuesday night, Reda and her daughters (Almas, Remas, and Farah) log onto Zoom and listen, read, and learn alongside several other immigrant and refugee families in the Harrisonburg area. The Zoom format has been a great option for the family, as it's allowed them to learn from their home and participate in the class while Reda cares for a newborn at home. “We are learning new things” Almas says, “And getting to do it as a family, with other families… it gives us something to look forward to at the end of the day. It can be very isolating here, so the class has been good because we get to see other families and kids.”

In addition to providing a sense of community and connection, the Family Literacy Nights encourage new forms of bonding within the families themselves. “When we left Yemen, we could not bring children’s books with us” Almas says, “We don’t have any here in our house that are written in Arabic, so the literacy nights let us all read together.” Isolation has been difficult for the family over the last few months. While her husband is at work, Reda and the girls are limited to their home and neighborhood. Though things have been challenging, Skyline classes and resources have made the family excited for the future in many ways. Reda is excited to get better at English and one day find a job nearby to support her family. Almas, the oldest of the children, has big dreams as well. She practices her English skills at home every day and is in one-on-one conversational classes through Skyline. “I am hoping to get my driver's license soon so I can help my mom and be able to drive around” she says, adding that her long-term goal is to go to university and be a nurse or doctor. “I like to help people, to make them happy and feel good.”

A Lifetime of Learning: Kishwar's Story

Kishwar Rashid is a proud lifelong learner. In 1976, Kishwar’s son came to the U.S. to pursue higher education, and when he graduated and found a job in New York, she joined him in the states. After getting settled in New York, Kishwar began working towards becoming an American citizen. Though she was trying to prepare for the process on her own, Kishwar began seeking out additional ways to get ready for the citizenship test and interview process. It wasn’t long before someone introduced her to Skyline Literacy.

Though Kishwar lived in New York, she was still able to take advantage of Skyline’s resources through virtual options, which presented a whole new set of skills to learn. “When I first started, I didn’t know how to work zoom, or how to set up a zoom account. Without the help of Jyar Abdulla (Skyline’s program manager), I could not have been here today, talking about this program.”

In addition to helping her get set up with technology, Kishwar says that Skyline staff and teachers made the citizenship preparation courses themselves fun, welcoming, and educational.

“I felt really good during the first class. The teachers are helpful and supportive, and they explain things two or three times to help you understand. I knew that if I asked questions, they would respond, and if I needed something, they would help.”

Kishwar encourages those pursuing citizenship to look into Skyline as an option. And reminds them that if she, at the age of 74 years, could succeed and learn in these classes, that they can, too.

“I would definitely advise them to join Skyline Literacy classes because I benefited so much from them” she says, adding that the organized structure of the class has allowed her to learn a lot about the citizenship process and feel more prepared for her interview. When asked what excites her most about becoming a citizen, Kishwar says that she is ecstatic to be a part of the democratic system of America.

“I think this is a very democratic country with so many opportunities. There is so much freedom of speech, religion, press, you know… few countries can offer that. And I’m excited to be a part of this country as a citizen."