Winter 2006, Volume 49, Number 4

A Place of Welcome and Hospitality: Presentation Lantern Center

Immigrants to Iowa of past generations came to the United States and passed through Ellis Island from such places as Ireland, Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, Poland and other European countries. Others have ancestors who immigrated from Asia, Mexico and South America. Today, Iowans witness a flow of new immigrants from even more places around the globe.

As of September 2006, Presentation Lantern Center, sponsored by the Dubuque Sisters of the Presentation, has welcomed visitors who represent 28 countries, five continents and 18 languages: Bosnia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Japan, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines and Puerto Rico. The center began its fifth year of operation on November 13.

The Presentation Lantern Center, in downtown Dubuque, is a drop-in center that offers hospitality, educational opportunities and advocacy for women and their children. Sister Corine Murray, executive director of the center, facilitates the interaction between guests and volunteers who come to the center. Support from local businesses, Catholic parishes, congregations of women religious, individuals and various organizations have helped to create and continue to maintain this center with no fees for visitors.

“ First and foremost, Presentation Lantern Center is a place of welcome and hospitality,” states Sister Corine. “Those who volunteer at the center are ‘cultural brokers’ who help visitors understand American culture.”

The center has welcomed nearly 300 visitors for tutoring and other services since 2002. Sixty volunteers have provided over 12,000 hours of service. Retired teachers from both parochial and public schools; nurses; retired Catholic sisters and their associates from the Dubuque area; AmeriCorp members; students from Loras College, the University of Wisconsin–Platteville and Clarke College constitute the volunteer corps at the center.

“Many items have been given to the Lantern Center by our generous supporters,” states Sister Corine. “Recently we purchased new tables, other furniture and room dividers through a grant from the Dubuque Racing Association (DRA).”

Newcomers arrive at the Presentation Lantern Center because they have heard about it from someone or because they were referred from agencies such as Catholic Charities Immigration Outreach or the Office of Hispanic Ministry. They come for tutoring in English, for survival skills in a new country or for help with the citizenship test. Some who come are Asian students at the University of Dubuque or students from foreign exchange programs. Small children often accompany their mothers.

“In addition to tutoring, volunteers assist with some healthcare issues and a variety of literacy skills such as counting U.S. money, reading local maps and the bus schedules, ordering food from an American menu and cooking with a non-metric oven,” remarks Sister Corine.

Visitors to the center are challenged in their new home. As newcomers they are helped in living and feeling welcomed in Dubuque and they have opportunities to experience a mutual sharing of language and culture. Each visitor brings talents, skills and the wisdom of life experiences. Some of the adult visitors share their thoughts about the far-reaching effects of hospitality.

“Everyday living is a challenge,” remarks Gabriela from Mexico who is visually impaired. “It is a challenge to learn English, to get to the center on the bus and to have time for my family.”

In addition to experiencing help from the University of Dubuque community and the Presentation Lantern Center, Hosung from Korea experiences personal welcome and support. “When a person whom I don’t even know shows me a kind action such as saying ‘hello’ and smiling, I feel good,” states Hosung. “American friends and the people whom I meet everywhere in the United States help me understand English and the American culture.”

“My first language is French,” states Marie Josee from Canada. “Understanding and speaking English is a challenge.” Yet, Marie Josee feels support from others. “People are very friendly. They introduce themselves, offer help and information about grocery stores, shopping places, schools, dentists and doctors.”

Welcome, hospitality and kindness are reciprocal as the volunteers at the Presentation Lantern Center can testify.

“It’s been interesting to help Lantern Center guests navigate the muddy waters of the English language and life in Dubuque,” comments Mary Jean Gregory, volunteer tutor. “I’ve been stumped by their questions, not knowing why we answer ‘yes,’ to the question ‘You don’t like cake?’ when we really mean we DO like it. I’ve witnessed the curiosity and kindnesses Dubuquers have extended to these visitors. More than anything, my life and that of my family have been enriched through association with these individuals.”

Whether studying pronunciation or word meaning, learning to count American money, celebrating the birthdays of visitors and volunteers, singing Christmas carols or sharing foods from around the world, all who enter the Presentation Lantern Center are witnesses to the richness of cultural diversity and the blessings of hospitality.