New American Pathways
Con Ed I Site for Residential Students
About the Site
New American Pathways is an Atlanta-based nonprofit with the mission of Helping Refugees and Georgia Thrive.
The small city of Clarkston, just six miles from the Emory campus, is home to thousands of refugees from around the world who have been displaced by war, famine, or ethnic/religious “cleansing.” Students will experience a unique opportunity to interact with and impact this refugee community by involvement in an English literacy program for refugees and refugee families.
The Bright Futures After School Program serves elementary and middle schoolers weekday in nearby Stone Mountain, with students displaying varying levels of English proficiency. The program consists of a daily academic or character lesson, a snack, recreation time (usually outside), and homework help.
The English at Home program is a home-centered program that provides English as a second language (ESL) tutoring and cultural mentorship and support to refugees and immigrants who are looking to improve their English fluency. Most refugees served are those who do not have access to other ESL services – the elderly, mothers of small children, those whose work schedules prevent them from being able to attend classes, and those who are homebound due to cultural expectations or with acute disability. This program is part of New American Pathways’ Forward Adult Education Program, which provides support to refugees and immigrants who are looking to improve their English fluency and grow in their careers.
Site Mission
New American Pathways vision is for new Americans in metro Atlanta to become successful, contributing and welcomed members of Georgia’s communities. Goals are fulfilled by offering the most comprehensive, fully integrated continuum of services targeted to meet the specific needs of refugees and other immigrants in Georgia.
Services support new Americans on their individual pathways from arrival through citizenship with programs that focus on four key milestones along the pathway – Safety & Stability, Self-Sufficiency, Success, and Service. Programs work in concert to guide new Americans on their individual pathways to long-term success.
Faculty
Dr. Jonathan Strom will be the faculty co-leader of the spring integrative seminar for New American Pathways students.
Teaching and Site Supervisor
Dr. Winston D.G. Persaud is a lead teacher with New American Pathways, working with refugee and immigrant children, adolescents, and families in the Clarkston area. He is a 2018 graduate from Emory’s Graduate Division of Religion, completing his Ph. D. in theological studies with a dissertation exploring the relationship between Christian thought and practice and contemporary capitalism. Of Indo-Guyanese and white American descent, Winston has worked with indigenous students in rural Mexico teaching literacy and numeracy. He and his wife Jamie have two children as well as serving as foster parents. He serves on both the board of ICS and the vestry of Immanuel Anglican Church in Oakhurst.
Con Ed I Student Requirements for New American Pathways
Students will work with after-school programs, which provide homework help, literacy support, and academic enrichment to refugee students. Based on interest and fit, students may be asked to mentor in the home or the wider community with an elementary, middle, or high school alumnus of the after-school programs. Students may also work with the English at Home program, meeting once or twice a week with clients for English tutoring and cultural mentorship. Both of these programs provide an opportunity to build friendships and live into a ministry of accompaniment with new Americans in the Clarkston area.
- Con Ed I at New American Pathways also includes a fall semester reflection group, led by Dr. Winston Persaud, and a spring semester integrative seminar.
Additional Requirements & Accessibility
Students enrolled at New American Pathways will be required to complete an additional background check and volunteer orientation during the first week of the semester.
Student Reflections
“I was profoundly changed by my experience in Con Ed I, where I served as a mentor at a refugee resettlement agency. I was paired with two Burmese teenage refugees as their after-school tutor, but this quickly grew into what I hope will be a lifelong relationship. Their impact on my worldview and vocational trajectory is immeasurable…I count myself lucky to be a part of their lives and to watch them grow into incredible, resilient young women.”
Gaby Guerrero
MDiv '24
“Working with refugees has taught me that race, ethnicity, and religion need not be barriers to the pursuit of God’s shalom. Rather, through empathy, connection, and the simple act of being present...we can create space for flourishing and life-changing relationships.”
Bekah Malpass
MDiv '23
“I thought being fluent in a language was needed to share love...But to share love is not that difficult. It begins from a small move and a short greeting. Anyone can participate in these small movements.”
Hangyoon Cho
MDiv '23
“I was profoundly changed by my experience in Con Ed I, where I served as a mentor at a refugee resettlement agency. I was paired with two Burmese teenage refugees as their after-school tutor, but this quickly grew into what I hope will be a lifelong relationship. Their impact on my worldview and vocational trajectory is immeasurable…I count myself lucky to be a part of their lives and to watch them grow into incredible, resilient young women.”
Gaby Guerrero
MDiv '24
