LOCAL PROJECTS Resettlement of the Sudanese has often been difficult because of the lifestyle changes they had to make. Our American system is not an easy one to follow. And trying to keep their own distinct values while integrating ours would not be easy for anyone to endure. Bridges to Sudan hopes to help by providing a safe harbor for children and adults to be informed about roadbloacks that can contribute to difficulties in the adjustment process to our American culture differences.  Work done by Bridges will include:  HELPING THE LOCAL COMMUNITY Encouraging the Sudanese to join local volunteer efforts in the community Partnering on task forces for the Jacksonville Community where educating about diversity and cultural issues will help broaden the understanding to Americans Providing education about things that can be misunderstood by American people and cause great pain and suffering to the Sudanese who are trying to 'fit in' and be successful individuals Identifying areas where certain offenses or common practices are causing legal or immigration issues and bringing notification to people in the Sudanese community.  Likewise if they choose not to use this or learn, then they will need to undergo the consequences that result from their choice WORLD REFUGEE DAY JUNE 20, 2009 Congresswoman Brown Lou Suskalla (USCIS) Head of the Southpoint Immigration Office Ite Lobung, age 8, daughter of Pastor Robert Lobung and Stella Lobung Congresswoman Brown, Lou Suskalla (USCIS) Head of the Southpoint Immigration Office and Ryan Watson who sang the Star Spangled Banner Jacqueline Green, Community Relations Consultant, Dept Children & Families; Sharon Svihel, Director of Bridges to Sudan Nancy Hale, Director, Refugee Services Program, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid Sargeant Ivan Pena, Head of International Affairs Unit, Jax Sheriff’s Office Congresswoman Corrine Brown, 3rd District Children's corner for the kids UNF NURSING SEMINAR Cornelius spoke at a UNF Nursing Class on cultural awareness in medical issues with data about differences in culture, lifestyles, medical treatments, etc. TIME MANAGEMENT CLASS This is a class that Bridges offers to help people learn the importance of time management, doing an address and phone number booklet and recording important dates for school, doctors, paying bills etc.   This was done May 2008 at the YMCA Community Connections building at Sable Palms Apt Complex HELPING THE SUDANESE Training seminars: we will set up training from immigration, law enforcement, and legal professionals to educate about rules and regulations that must be adhered to in America, or just to inform the Sudanese about law changes                             Provide specialized training seminars done by experts in social services, legaland immigration areas American educational system - this isn't the actual education in the schools but how to educate your children and help them with social skills that are required to be in a school setting. Often a child and/or the parent is deeply misunderstood because the tools used to correct a child are completely different than their learned procedures in their own culture. These things can result in legal or immigration issues that often CANNOT be reversed. Women's issues - woman-to-woman things as 'sisters-in-Christ' can help those of us from here to those from the Sudan. Information about American family life that differs from theirs. Kuol Family Reunification March 2008 Pappa David With James Kuol's Kids Luke 10:27  "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and, love your neighbor as yourself."