By Omar Thabet – YAN-Hamtramck
Have you ever hoped or wished for an organization that would help newcomers learn the English language and make the transition of living in America a little easier for a family member or someone you know?
Have you ever hoped or wished for an organization that is free and that respects and honors your culture so much that they provide gender separate classes just so their students are in a comfortable learning environment?
Well my friends your dream has come true; and that dream is called Umbrella Tree.
Umbrella Tree is an Educational Nonprofit serving in Hamtramck. All services are offered free of charge with the intent of empowering and engaging the local immigrant community. Currently, Umbrella Tree provides ESL (English as a Second Language) classes and Citizenship classes to over 200 adults from Hamtramck and its surrounding cities.
According to Director Erik Dine, going on multiple trips to Yemen is what made he and his team start Umbrella Tree.
Dine said, “Myself and our original staff of 2 female teachers had traveled to Yemen multiple times helping local English schools teach English. During those trips you could say that God put a love in our hearts for the Yemeni people and a desire to help them grow and thrive. In 2011, when the Arab spring broke out in Yemen, we could no longer travel back and forth, so we began to consider how we could help Yemeni people in the States. We came to Hamtramck in 2015 and began talking with people…it was then that we found that the overwhelming need was for English language. We felt like we could provide services for the growing Yemeni community here. So, we moved to Hamtramck and the school was formed!”
This is the fourth year now that Umbrella Tree has been providing services for the people of Hamtramck and in the surrounding areas. They don’t only help the Yemeni newcomers; some of their students are from Bangladesh and Syria as well.
Jenna Maddox is the Women’s Director and an English Teacher at Umbrella Tree. Maddox said working at Umbrella Tree has been great! “I love seeing the women every morning and watching them learn is truly such a blessing,” said Maddox. “I know it’s hard to move to another country and it’s easy in Hamtramck to stay isolated and only speak Arabic. However, these women desire to do more, to be more and it’s an honor to help them achieve their goals.”
A great organization is usually run by innovative leaders. According to Zack Rannick, who is an ESL teacher and is the treasurer at Umbrella Tree, he says that’s exactly who Erik Dine is.
Rannick said, “I’ve known Erik for many years. If there is one word I could use to describe him, it would be character. He is a visionary leader and a man of great conviction. He desires for everyone to meet their full potential, while also conveying that they are loved and valued. I consider it a privilege to work alongside of him.”
We later asked Rannick what was his greatest story so far after working with Umbrella Tree for four years now. He responded, “As a teacher, it would be easy to say that my greatest stories come from the success of my students in finding better employment or finally earning their U.S. Citizenship after months of hard work in the classroom. But as an American, I’d have to say that the relationships that have formed with my students have been the greatest success of my time at Umbrella Tree. Without English, I would not be able to adequately communicate with my students. I would not know their stories. I would not know of their needs, and I would not know how to be a friend to those around me.”
We then asked Erik Dine, whose Arabic name is Abu Zane, what has been his greatest story with Umbrella Tree thus far. He responded, “I guess I don’t have a specific story to tell…but the greatest joy I have as a teacher is to see students who are able to get better jobs and help their kids with homework as a result of putting in the time to come to class and study at home. We understand that it’s hard for them to work full time jobs, spend time with their families and then take the time to come to English class. But for those who do make the sacrifice now, they end up getting better paying jobs with better shifts so they can not only provide for their families, but also have time to spend with them! We see so many men “under employed” or having to work 60-70 hours a week to survive. English language is a key that can unlock the door to a better life! Not only that, but they can also become US Citizens as a result of the preparation we provide! What a joy to see our students begin to thrive as Yemeni-American citizens who see that the American dream is for them too!”
Umbrella Tree has a wonderful new school building this year and their goal is to continue offering free services to the community. Along with English and Citizenship classes, they will expand their classes as the needs arise.
The staff at Umbrella Tree encourages the immigrant community in Hamtramck to take advantage of our free services
To register for fall classes at Umbrella Tree, you can go to their location which is at 2609 Poland Street, Hamtramck, Michigan. Or call their number at 313-603-6030.
