INSIDE THIS EDITION:
- WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST OPSIMATHS (NEW MEMBERS)
- LLC'S SPRING CONVOCATION: KATHY CLOUTIER FROM DORCAS INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF RI
- TALES FROM NURSERY SCHOOL by Elsa Grieder
- WE'RE ALL OTHERS by Allan Klepper
- APRIL CLASSIC: I WANDERED LONELY AS A CLOUD by William Wordsworth
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"Welcome to our newest opsimaths."
Welcome, New Members!
LLC welcomed 23 brand new members on March 12 and 13. Prior to the Convocation activities, thirteen new members joined the Membership Committee to attend a New Member Orientation in person! These new members are a great group, interesting and interested. They joined for a variety of reasons: to learn new things, to make new friends, to take on new challenges. Many learned about LLC from friends or family. Many were impressed with the varied course offerings in our catalog. We got right to the business of forming new friendships after the information part of the Orientation when we adjourned to the break room for light snacks and socializing. Those who could attend Convocation continued the socializing right through lunch. It was fun to be among them.
In order to accommodate the needs of those who were unable to attend in person on March 12, we also held a New Member Orientation on Zoom the next day. Ten more new members attended. This group was also enthusiastic and interesting, and started collaborating right away. New member, Paul Croce, taught us that we are “opsimaths.” An opsimath, we learned, is a person who begins, or continues, to study or learn late in life! We were delighted to add this term to our vocabularies.
Both groups asked great questions and will surely generate lively discussions in their various classes. We’re pleased and excited to welcome our newest opsimaths!
op·si·math
noun
a person who begins, or continues, to learn or study late in life
Lois Kemp, Co-Chair, Membership Committee
Spring Convocation: Kathy Cloutier
The Keynote Speaker for the LLC Spring Convocation was Kathy Cloutier, Executive Director of the Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that provides services that help immigrants, refugees, and all Rhode Islanders. The focus of Ms. Cloutier’s talk included what we know right now and changes since January 20, 2025.
1. Global Displacement
Per the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) as of June 2024, more than 117 million people are currently displaced. That is the Largest ever single-year increase. An estimated nearly 300 million people will need humanitarian assistance. More than 35 million are classed as refugees. The U.S. accepted 125,000 refugees last year through community sponsorships and resettlement agencies.
2. Welcoming All
334 refugees have been resettled and 152 unaccompanied children reunited. During FY24 they have come in from 21 different countries and speaking 41 different languages.
3. Current Administration’s Impact on Immigration
There has been an indefinite suspension of refugee admissions in the US and an end of categorical humanitarian parole programs. The administration seeks to prevent the right to seek asylum at the southern border. There has been an expansion of expedited removal and action against sanctuary cities and an attempt to end U.S. birthright citizenship. We have seen increased vetting and the possibility of travel bans.
4. Impacts on Rhode Island
Rhode Island immigrants are living in fear of detention and deportation, even those who have legal status. Confusion and misinformation are keeping people at home. There is a need for community education and legal consultation to understand family options for relief, if any. There are limited immigration legal resources in Rhode Island; capacity is severely stretched.
The Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan and Venezuelan (CHNV) Humanitarian Parole program has ended. No new sponsorships allowed. Without renewal or other forms of relief such as TPS when the 2-year temporary status expires, these immigrants will lose their authorization. In Rhode Island, more than 1,500 Haitians have benefitted from the humanitarian parole program. Venezuelan TPS was terminated. The extension was vacated, and TPS status and benefits end as of April 7, 2025.
5. Impact on Dorcas International
The U.S. State Department issued a Stop Work Order effective Jan 24th for Refugee Reception & Placement Program (R&P). Sixty-five refugees resettled by Dorcas International are now without funded services. There has been an immediate loss of $339,000 for resettlement staff and operational support. $104,000 due for refugee cash assistance is in federal payment system “limbo.”
Dorcas International has three funding sources: Private Support, Government Funding (48%, the largest percentage), and Earned Income. If government funding is cut off, DI would have to downsize and find other sources.
Government’s promise to deport: Who is at risk/removable?
- Individuals who are undocumented or out of status: overstaying a visa, entering without permission
- Anyone who is not a U.S. citizen and has had contact with the criminal justice system
- Individuals present in U.S. after being ordered removed
- Security risk and recent arrivals
How You Can Help
Connect & Stay Informed
- Visit diiri.org and click Resources on our menu for up-to-date information.
- Sign up for our newsletter: Go to diiri.org and scroll down to the right corner of the footer at the bottom of the home page.
- Follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Bluesky.
- Host a Donation Drive (current needs: Backpacks with school supplies and new undergarments & socks for men and women)
- Volunteer! Visit diiri.org/ways-to-give/volunteer/ for more information.
Reach Out!
645 & 220 Elmwood Avenue, Providence
www.diiri.org
info@diiri.org
401-784-8600 or 401-784-8602
Follow Us!
Facebook: Dorcas International Institute of RI
Instagram: @dorcasinternational
LinkedIn: Dorcas International Institute of RI
Bluesky: DorcasIntlofRI
Thank You!
Photo credits Bob Kemp and Liz Siftar
Tales from Nursery School
By Elsa Grieder
One evening after dinner I thought I would lie down and rest for a few minutes before driving to the Community School for a 7:30 class. Well, I actually fell soundly asleep and when I woke up it was dark outside and I panicked. I ran downstairs with my shoes untied, tripped over a shoelace and landed with a cheek on the corner of our coffee table. My face started to bleed copiously. Instead of arriving late at the class, I was driven to the emergency room.
The next day I woke up with a purple face. I went to nursery school anyway to teach my afternoon class of 12 four-year olds. The teachers took one look at me and ordered me to leave at once. It would terrify the children to see their teacher with a purple face. Since I was the director, I could make the decision, and I said I would use the situation to teach a lesson – You can look different on the outside but be the same person inside. As the children came in, I asked them to make a circle on the floor.
I asked them if they noticed anything different about me and, of course, they mentioned my purple face. I explained what had happened and warned them never to walk around with their shoelaces untied. Dean shouted, “Don’t you worry, Mrs. Grieder. When I grow up, I’m going to be a doctor and I’m going to make you well!” I was very touched by his concern for me and his determination to make me well. Then Elizabeth said with awe, “Mrs. Grieder, I think you’re beautiful!”
I was taken aback, “beautiful?” But then I remembered-her favorite color was purple.
I don’t think they learned anything, but I did. I had recently read an article about wondering if you could teach four-years old to have empathy. I don’t know if you can teach it, but maybe you don’t need to.
We're All Others
by Allan Klepper
Most of us live with Others; content.
Interfere with our lives, then we lament.
Gender, religion, politics or race.
It is when the Others get in our space.
To many, each of us is an Other.
Responsibility; do not smother!
A delicate balance of fairness to all.
While acceptable, not creating appall,
Or causing a brawl or building a wall.
Others should be blended into the All…
03/18/2025
Photo by Aarón Blanco Tejedor on Unsplash
APRIL CLASSIC
I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud
William Wordsworth
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
Photo by Chris Linnett on Unsplash