Administration: Joanne Heyman, Executive Director Kathryn Bonn, Director of Member Services
Name of organization: International Center in New York
Address: 50 West 23rd Street, 7th Floor, NY, NY 10010
Hour: Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday
9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Phone Number: 212-255-9555
Website: www.intlcenter.org
Email: info@intlcenter.org
How did you get into business?
Founder Maud Seligman had frustrating experiences traveling in France as a non-French speaker. She resolved to ensure that visitors and newcomers to New York would have a better experience, and she founded The International Center in New York in 1961.
What do you do?
The International Center in New York is a non-profit learning center and a unique volunteer-driven community where immigrants, refugees, students and other newcomers to the United States come to practice English and learn about American culture. The organization, which is made up of 1,000 volunteers and 12 full-time staff members has nearly 2,500 students, known as members. Volunteers teach members conversational English in a relaxed environment, and visitors and immigrants have the opportunity to get to know native English speakers and New Yorkers.
What is special about your organization?
“I think what’s really special is our volunteers’ commitment to help people from 85 countries. Some are coming to New York as newcomers, some are immigrants who are already living here and need help with their English,” said Kathryn Bonn, Director of Member Services. “We create a warm welcoming environment where people can feel like they are part of a community.”
What is your motto?
English Language, American Life. “We are really about cultural exchange,” Bonn said. “That’s what makes this place interesting. It’s not just about teaching [the members] English, it’s really about learning from each other.”
