JPL Staff News

Katie Devanny, Literacy Program Supervisor  recounts CAL's recent program for immigrants, "Officer Nuria 'Archie' Archbold from the International Affairs Unit with JSO visited ESL classes at the Center for Adult Learning at the Main Library, October 28 and 29.   Officer Archie addressed 34 students from 13 different countries on safety tips.  She first reviewed how to make a 911 call when English is not one's first language (before saying anything else, tell the operator, 'I speak _______'). JSO has language line translators to help our new citizens overcome that barrier in an emergency. She addressed personal safety and what to do if someone trys to steal your purse (let them have it and call 911) and she covered identity theft and scams. This population is an easy target because of the language barrier and their misunderstanding of what documents should be carried with them at all times. (They are only required to have a Florida ID or driver’s license with them.)  There was also a good lesson on how to respond if stopped by the police. (We often forget how differently a refugee with limited English may perceive and react to armed people in uniform.) All classes and their instructors took home some valuable information.  We look forward to future presentations with Officer Archie."

These are all good tips we can share with newcomers to our country and we appreciate Katie's input that can be of value to all of us.