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About our Programs

To meet the many and urgent needs of new immigrants, AIRF provides services through integrated programs:
 

Cultural Competency and Community Outreach Program

AIRF extends its expertise to the community through diversity training on African cultural sensitivity and skills. AIRF's executive director, Dr. Wanjiru Kamau, has conducted extensive research on African cultural competency, including developing the Strategic Diversity Plan for Penn State University. AIRF's diversity training targets, among others: health care and social service providers, employers, educators, landlords, law enforcement personnel, churches, and county offices. If you are interested in having AIRF conduct a cultural competency training for your organization, please click here.

AIRF staff have developed African diversity training materials which are available to the wider public. AIRF staff are also available for translation and interpreting services. Please feel free to email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call the AIRF office: (301) 593-0241 if you have questions about any of our Cultural Competency training programs or materials.
 

Mental Health Program

Through a network of African-born mental health professionals, the African Immigrant and Refugee Foundation provides assessments, counseling that is linguistically and culturally appropriate for each client. AIRF approaches counseling utilizing a traditional African framework based on age group, gender and extended family groups.
 

Survival Skills Program

Survival Skills Programs build on client strengths and facilitate learning through systems intervention:
 

• The “Catching Up” Project assists African refugee students and helps them advance at their own pace, both educationally, and in their cultural adjustment, through individualized tutoring and mentoring. AIRF works with students from Blair High School, Highpoint High School, Springbrooke High School, White Oak Middle School, and Broad Acres Elementary School. See our Calendar Page for our current schedule.
• The African Council of Elders Mediation Project supports African-Centered mediation and conflict resolution approaches for refugees in schools, homes, neighborhoods, Worship and work places through referrals from legal systems.
• The African Cultural Competency Training Program designed to provide African Cultural knowledge, cultural awareness, and skills to work effectively with the African community. Training is provided to care givers, employers,Law Enforcement,School Educators, Hospital personnelandto Africans themselves.
• We provide English as a second language (ESL) classes at Crossway Community Center in Wheaton and The Episcopal Church of Our Savior in Hillandale every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, as well as at The Charles W Gilchrist Center for Cultural Diversity every Saturday. Courses are offered in both the morning and the evening. See our ESOL Page for more information.

Introduction to Kiswahili

KARIBUNI na HAMJAMBO! WELCOME and HELLO! Group and private Kiswahili lessons are available upon request. Please contact us to register due to limited space at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .