Colorado Refugee English as a Second Language Program

The Colorado Refugee English as a Second Language Program (CRESL) serves adult refugees who have recently resettled in the Denver metro area and Colorado Springs.

Who are refugees?

By the United Nations' and U.S. government's definition, a refugee is any person who is outside his/her country of nationality, and who is unable or unwilling to return to that country because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. These persons have been forced to flee their homeland, and through the United States refugee resettlement program, have found refuge in our country.

At this time, the majority of refugees in the CRESL program are from Bosnia, Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Iran, Burma, Vietnam, Russia, and Ukraine.

Newly arrived refugees attend classes in English and workplace readiness at Emily Griffith Opportunity School (EGOS) in Denver, or at School District 11 Adult and Family Education in Colorado Springs. For those who cannot attend classes, a home tutoring program is available. Classes at EGOS and in Colorado Springs are taught by professional ESL instructors. Volunteers assist teachers and students alike in a variety of ways at the school. All tutors working in the in-home program are trained volunteers.

The CRESL Program has been in place for about 20 years. In that time, thousands of refugees have received the benefits of English classes. More importantly, these refugees have also benefited from the kind smiles and extra help that our volunteers bring to the program.

We're looking for a few good volunteers

Actually, our program is growing so quickly that our volunteer needs are always unmet. If you are interested in joining our program as a volunteer, we invite you to explore this site further for more information.

"The foreigner isolated from his fellow countrymen and his family should be the subject of greater love on the part of men and of the Gods." --Plato