Children Education Services wellness services RMWC believes that emotional well-being helps individuals, families, and communities thrive. Our culture-first approach to mental health honors each person’s language, identity, and lived experience. Through bilingual counseling and community programs, we help immigrants and refugees build connections, navigate challenges, and strengthen their well-being. support groups Our support groups offer a welcoming space to talk openly, feel heard without judgment, and connect with others who share similar experiences. Offered in English, Spanish, and Farsi, groups honor each person’s culture and story while helping participants navigate challenges and build a sense of belonging. psychoeducation Our culturally responsive workshops help participants understand mental health and build practical skills to care for themselves and others. Offered in English, Spanish, and Farsi, sessions explore topics such as stress, emotional well-being, healthy relationships, suicide prevention, parenting and others. We tailor each workshop to the needs of the group, offering a single session or a series. WHERE: Sessions are available at: Our Aurora office Schools Community settings Virtually INTEREST FORM therapy Our culture-first approach to therapy honors your language, identity, and lived experience. We offer therapy in English, Spanish, and Farsi to help you feel understood and supported. WHAT WE OFFER: Individual Family Couples Group Therapy To help you navigate challenges, strengthen relationships, and support emotional well-being. WHERE: Sessions are available at: Our Aurora office. Home In schools Community settings Virtually COST AND PAYMENT: Medicaid Sliding scale Free of charge for individuals living in certain counties, depending on county of residence. interested? Individuals: Call 720-919-3733 to connect Referral agencies: Send referral form to erint@rockymountainwelcome.onmicrosoft.com REFERRAL FORM “This is the only place where I felt I could share what I was going through. I knew you wouldn’t judge me or look at me differently." - RMWC client.

The Rocky Mountain Welcome Center fosters intercultural learning, understanding and integration among immigrants, refugees and the Colorado residents Top of Page About Services Contact Supporting immigrants and refugees in their journeys of integration. Everyone is welcome here. WHO WE ARE The Rocky Mountain Welcome Center (RMWC) is a non-profit organization led by immigrants and rooted in the community, dedicated to promoting intercultural learning, understanding, and integration among immigrants, refugees, and the Colorado receiving communities. At RMWC, we firmly believe that integration is a collaborative process involving immigrants, refugees, and receiving communities alike. We recognize immigrants and refugees as valuable assets to our community. Since 2017, RMWC has been welcoming new immigrants in Colorado. Inspired by the journey of our Founder and Executive Director, Diana Higuera, herself an immigrant, we understand firsthand the challenges and joys of adapting to a new community. Diana's personal experiences fuel RMWC’s commitment to supporting others through the intricate process of settling into Denver's diverse landscape. Central to our mission is empowering the metro Denver immigrant and refugee populations. Our services encompass a range of offerings, from educational programs to social gatherings and culturally sensitive services. We owe much of our success to the strong bonds forged with newly arrived communities, local leaders, and support organizations across our receiving communities. At RMWC, everyone is welcome here. About PROGRAMS CARES Community, Advocacy, Resources and Education Basic Needs Legal Support Mental Health Services Youth Integration RMWC puts families first. We understand that a strong family unit is one of the greatest determinants for personal and social success, and an integrated family is a community asset. Here’s how we help newcomer families: Children Education Services Services CONTACT Send Success! Message received. Contact

Children Education Services Clinical Internships We offer supervised, hands-on training for bilingual English-Spanish master’s students in their second or concentration year. Interns build clinical skills while providing therapy that honors the language, culture, and lived experiences of immigrants, refugees, and first-generation Americans in unique settings PROGRAM OVERVIEW & CLINICAL SETTINGS Housed within RMWC’s Wellness Program, this internship offers final-year Master's students deep, hands-on experience delivering culturally responsive mental health care. Interns meet clients in the places they live, learn, and gather. WHY CHOOSE RMWC? Immigrant-Led & Community-Rooted: Serve refugees, immigrants, and first-generation Americans in a truly community-focused setting. Systemic and anti-oppression focused supervision: Receive weekly individual/group supervision with an LCSW supervisor Holistic Experience: Connect direct mental health care with connection to agency-wide educational, basic resource, and social integration programs. Deliver Community-Centered Therapy Where It’s Needed Most. view internship details What You’ll Do Direct Practice: Conduct individual, couples, family, and group therapy, and build specialized support groups. In-Person Service Settings : Meet clients where they are—In-Home, In-Community, In-Schools, at our Aurora Office, and via Telehealth. Flexible Hours : Hours are what you decide; Evening and weekend hours available, but past 5:30 pm is not required with rolling start dates to fit your academic schedule. requirements Must be fully bilingual in English and Spanish to communicate with clients in their primary language. Reliable vehicle required for in-person visits across homes, schools, and community sites. Eligibility: 2nd Year / Concentration Year Master’s Counseling student from Social Work, Psychology, or other relevant degree tracks. Hour Requirements & Schedule Hours: Weekly and total program hours are determined by the intern’s academic program. Mandatory Commitment: Weekly supervision (meeting times determined collaboratively). Scheduling availability is any day of the week from 8 am to 8 pm - this is determined by the student with their supervisor. At least one day a week requires a 4:30 pm session to accommodate children in school and working adults how to apply Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested candidates should email the following materials directly to the Clinical Director at erin@rockymountainwelcome.org : Resume Cover Letter Required Hours (total & weekly target) Target Start Date “I didn't realize how much privilege I have until I started working with this population." - RMWC intern

Join Our Team Development Manager Bilingual Mental Health Therapists (Full Time, Part Time, Hourly)

Children Education Services Children Education Services We provide children with the resources they may not have at home. When younger generations thrive, they assist and inspire the rest of the family. Kindergarten Prep This program caters to immigrant and refugee children ages 3 to 5, aiming to equip them with essential skills for kindergarten readiness. Our curriculum prioritizes play-based learning focusing on teaching children language fluency, social-emotional skills, conflict resolution, recognizing emotions, empathy and problem solving. Additionally, we empathize the development of group social skills, reading, writing, and math, aligning with children's innate curiosity and eagerness to explore. We foster an environment of joy and enthusiasm, nurturing a sense of community, and intercultural understanding among both students and teachers. Online Learning Lessons Parents can utilize these lessons to assist their children in comprehending English and American culture. They can also leverage these videos to steer their young learners away from other potentially questionable online content. Remote Learning Lessons Rocky Mountain Readers (RMR) Rocky Mountain Readers program is specifically designed for primary-school-ages immigrant and refugee children who are one year or more behind their grade level in reading, this highly structured program is facilitated by a literacy expert instructor. Each cohort accommodates up to 12 children, organized into three groups. Throughout the program, participants rotate between lessons led by instructors, engaging literacy games, and a computer lab. “RMWC’s Kindergarten Prep gave my kids a quality experience in a school-like setting that was small, personable and safe. We felt welcome from the moment we first walked through RMWC’s doors. We now feel more at ease integrating into Denver Public Schools this fall." - RMWC participant parent

Join Our Team Development Manager Bilingual Mental Health Therapists (Full Time, Part Time, Hourly)

Top of Page Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 Remote Learning Lessons Week 1: Welcome Theme The theme for week 1 is Welcome! We will focus on learning to say numbers and letters and spell our names. Watch 10 Dinosaurs Hungry Caterpillar The Abc Song Practice This week practice writing your child’s name with them. Also practice counting from 1 to 10 and saying the ABCs out loud. Week 2: Colors Theme The theme for week 2 is colors! We will focus on learning to recognize and say colors. We are focusing on red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, white, black, and brown. Watch Color Song Monsters love Colors Vegetable Song Practice Practice naming the color of objects around the house. When your student is ready, you can ask them to find you objects of certain colors. Week 3: Alphabet Theme The theme for week 3 is the alphabet! We will focus on practicing saying and recognizing all the letters in the alphabet. Watch Chicka chicka dr. seuss abc See it say it Practice Sing the alphabet song and practice writing the letters in the alphabet in order and on their own. Week 4: Numbers Theme The theme for week 4 is numbers! We will focus on learning to count from 1 to 20 and count groups of objects. Watch Counting to 10 123 peas counting 1-20 Practice This week practice counting from 1 to 20. Then use fingers to ask how many you are holding up. Then ask your student to count objects around the house. Week 5: Faces Theme The theme for week 5 is faces! We will focus on learning to name all the parts of our faces. These include eyes, nose, mouth, ears, forehead, cheeks, chin, and hair. Watch parts of the face i like myself the 5 senses Practice Practice naming all the different parts of your faces. Then ask your student to point to their eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. Week 6: Animals Theme The theme for week 6 is animals! We will focus on learning the names and sounds of animals. Watch animal sounds mixed up chameleon what pet should i get? Practice Practice making animal noises and saying the animals name. We will focus on cat, dog, bird, cow, pig, and horse. See if your student can name other animals. Week 7: Nature Theme The theme for week 7 is nature! We will work on talking about the seasons, as well as plants and other things we see outside. Watch Seasons song nature for kids nature vocabulary Practice Practice naming the seasons and things that are outside such as trees and flowers. Week 8: Bodies Theme The theme for week 8 is bodies! We will focus on learning the names of body parts. We will focus on head, shoulders, knees, toes, hands, feet, arms, and legs. Watch parts of the body this is my body head, shoulders, knees Practice Practice naming parts of the body and singing head, shoulders, knees and toes song. Week 9: Weather Theme The theme for week 9 is weather. We will focus on talking about the weather. We will focus on rain, snow, sun, wind, hot, and cold. Watch How is the weather? Worm weather The snowy day Practice Practice talking about the weather. Each day you can talk to your student about the weather outside. You can also ask your student what type of weather happens in each month. Week 10: Weeks and Months Theme The theme for week 10 is weeks and months. We will focus on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We will also learn January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. Watch months story Months of the year days of the week Practice Practice saying all the names of the months and the names of the days of the week. Use a calendar with your student to mark of each day as it passes. You can also talk to your student about which months are in which seasons. Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10

News & Events NEWS & EVENTS RMWC In the News 01/06/25 - KGNU Interview: Rocky Mountain Welcome Center prepares to keep immigrants safe 03/18/24 - How To Support New Migrants featuring Diana Higuera Radio Show "Perspectivas" This 30 minute weekly Spanish segment within the radio show "Hablemos Hoy con Rodolfo Cardenas" engages an "expert guest" in a conversation about different themes important to the Hispanic and Latine community. LISTEN RMWC Newsletter February 2025 Newsletter RMWC BLOG See our latest Blog Posts here Forum Series Every quarter, RMWC organizes a forum focusing on a theme relevant to immigrants and refugees. Each event highlights a personal narrative from an immigrant or refugee, complemented by perspectives from a subject matter expert. Previous themes have delved into topics such as "Understanding the Manifestation of Trauma in the Immigrant and Refugee Community" and "Exploring the Identities and Motivations of Southern Border Migrants," among others. Stay updated on upcoming forums by subscribing to our newsletter. Next Forum

Donate Donate We focus on the successful integration and inclusion of every newcomer to our community. Everyone is Welcome Here. Your donation today will ensure that RMWC remains a beacon of hope for every Colorado newcomer seeking a better life. Thank you for generous support. Your Donation Matters In 2024, RMWC provided direct assistance to over 2,000 individuals and extended its reach to numerous immigrants through informational campaigns across various countries, including Afghanistan, Burma, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Honduras, Somalia, and Venezuela. Since January 2023, Denver has witnessed over 35,400 migrant arrivals, marking Colorado as having the highest relative level of migration among non-southern border states. Immigrant integration stands as a pressing concern for any community, often surpassing the capacity of local governments to address all unique needs adequately. RMWC serves as a crucial partner, facilitating the successful adaptation of these families to their new lives. ways to donate AMAZON WISH LIST DONATE NOW Thank you for your support.

Board Co-Chair MEET OUR BOARD Ruben Medina Ciera Gonzalez Board Member Margie Thompson Board Member

Team OUR TEAM Diana higuera Executive Director Kristen Conrad Development Director Erin twiehaus Clinical Director rae Ann tucker Kindergarten Prep Coordinator cynthia moreno-romero Wellness Support Specialist / YRW-HAN Coordinator JULLIANA GARCIA CARES Manager Amin Said Springs Academy Director Ziyad Jara Springs Academy Specialist Abdirashid Hussein Cultural Navigator Somali Maryam Farhang English Tea Time Coordinator/ Cultural Navigator Dari Muktar Said Cultural Navigator Oromo Alberto kersh Bilingual Therapist - Intern Stephanie weldon Volunteer Coordinator (Ignatian Volunteers) Karen Shields Bookkeeper

English as a Second Language | Literacy in Spanish Top of Page For Linguistic Integration PROGRAMS FOR Linguistic Integration For Linguistic Integration ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL) Focus Points Our ESL class provided by Focus Points, is designed for refugees who have been in the U.S. for less than 5 years. The funding for this class comes from the Colorado Division of Refugee Services, therefore this class is FREE OF CHARGE for refugees. Focus Points also provides FREE ONSITE CHILDCARE for walking ages kids. Learning english through story listening (letsl) RMWC This innovative method is ideal for people in beginners to intermediate levels. All members of the family can participate, including children. Acquire English through listening to interesting stories. This can also be a complementary class to the traditional methods. REGISTER NOW INGLÉS DE VERDAD RMWC This class is designed specifically for HISPANIC adults who would like to learn English through an alternative method using multi-sensory activities. When: Wednesdays Time: 6 to 8 pm Start Date: 10/09/19 Duration: 10 weeks Cost: $50 Limited Offer Where: RMWC REGISTER NOW literacy for adults in spanish/ alfabetización para adultos en español RMWC This class is designed for adults hispanic immigrants and refugees, who would like to learn how to read and write in their native language. Studies show that literacy skills translate from one language to another with the same alphabet. Coming soon Read More When: Mondays and Wednesdays Time: Morning and Afternoon classes available Registration: On going Basis To register you can make an appointment or walk-in every Monday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm PH: 303-292-0770 X-128 kellie@focuspoints.org