Norman Churches Partner to Support Afghan Refugee Students

This summer, First Presbyterian Church Norman, McFarlin United Methodist Church, First Christian Church, and St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church were among the congregations supporting the Norman Coalition for Refugee Support’s Academic Learning for Afghan Students (ALAS) program. The four-week program, supported by an Indian Nations Presbytery grant, served 21 Afghan refugee students with academic instruction and opportunities for social and cross-cultural learning.

Certified educators worked with students on reading, writing, vocabulary, comprehension, math, and problem-solving, with volunteers from NCRS congregations assisting with small-group instruction and transportation. First Presbyterian and McFarlin UMC provided church buses, First Christian helped with transportation, and the program was hosted at St. Stephen’s UMC.

Students also participated in Norman’s World’s Largest Swim Lesson, with culturally appropriate swimwear provided by the First Presbyterian Thrift Shop.

We are grateful to Jean Cate and the Norman Coalition for Refugee Support for sharing this update and for the congregations, educators, and volunteers helping Afghan students thrive in their new community!