Helping adult refugees & immigrants learn English & become
U.S. Citizens

The enthusiasm they bring to class easily outweighs the challenges."

-- Meredith Smith,
St. James ESL Tutor
Read more student & tutor stories...

St. James ESL Program

Our Mission

The St. James ESL mission is to advance justice for refugees and immigrants through education, advocacy, and by helping the most isolated refugees and immigrants to learn English, become citizens and connect to community resources. Read about St. James ESL history and position on immigration...

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SJESL ADVISORY BOARD

Fawziah Al-Hlaly
Caroline Chung
Marcia Ditter
Tom FitzMacken
Suzanne Lescantz
Ana Mikel
Joyce Mork-O'Brien
Alex Perepechko
Joe Varano

Announcements

World REFuGEE DAY 2012

United Nations World Refugee Day

June 20

The United Nations designated June 20th as World Refugee Day to honor the courage, strength and determination of those who are forced to flee their homeland from persecution, conflict and violence.

Read more about World Refugee Day...

NEW VOLUNTEER POSITION

Be a Skype Tutor!

1 hour per week

The ESL Skype Tutor helps immigrants and refugees practice conversational English once a week.

Contact Meredith for more information
206-382-4511 or ESL@stjames-cathedral.org
Read more about Skype Tutoring...

Immigration in the News

Check out the immigration blog from the National Catholic Reporter:
- Volunteer deportation act leads to jail
- National calls for immigration policy change
- Rise is enforcements focus on Sup. Court Read more about immigration...

Get Involved

About St. James ESL

The St. James English as a Second Language Program (SJESL) is a 501(c)(3), non-sectarian, volunteer and community-based organization that provides free English instruction and Citizenship assistance to low-income adult refugees and immigrants in Seattle and King County, Washington. Founded in 1975 with one tutor and one Vietnamese student, SJESL has grown to serve students from 37 countries in all parts of the world. In 2009-2010, along with our 94 volunteers, we served 362 immigrants and refugees in King County.

"While we do not support illegal immigration we are committed to helping all persons in need regardless of their legal status...Our goal as a community of disciples is comprehensive immigration reform to provide legal pathways for family reunification, guest workers and those seeking citizenship.

We will reach out to all persons in need, including immigrants, regardless of their legal status.

This is nothing new. The Archdiocese of Seattle has a consistent and longstanding commitment to justice based on our belief in the dignity of all persons."
-- Archbishop Brunett