CHARLOTTE, N.C. — From the onset, the room near the front door of International House in Charlotte looks like a typical classroom setting.
Autumn Weil says the students at International House are making strides to change their lives.
“When somebody can advocate for themselves in a new community you do see, not only is there a mental health transition, but there’s a physical transition,” Weil shared with WCNC Charlotte's Nick Sturdivant.
Weil is the Executive Director of International House.
The nonprofit is devoted to helping immigrants and the international culture flourish with programs like English classes, pathways to citizenship and cultural sensitivity classes for community members.
“For those of us who are U.S. born and raised in the communities, we learn how to navigate public transportation for example. If you’ve never navigated public transportation, it can be complicated. Imagine if you don’t speak the language,” Weil explained.
In 2023, the nonprofit helped more than 5,000 people, with 109 individuals becoming U.S. citizens.
“That’s part of our mission too," Weil said. "Not only helping newcomers from other countries but helping the community at large understand cultural differences.”
One way they are doing that is through the arts.
International House partners with Blumenthal Arts to hold a competition for visual artists called "The Journey." All of the competing artists are immigrants who live in Mecklenburg County.
“It allows them to enter a piece that expresses their journey to the U.S.," Weil said. "That can be very emotional across the entire spectrum. It can be very hope-filled but also very harrowing."
While the competition provides a chance to hear their stories, it also serves as a platform for discussion.
“People had to leave a situation where gang violence was very real in order to survive,” Weil stated. "The artwork crosses language barriers. It crosses politics.”
The artists share a piece of their past with hopes of success in the future.
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