Built in 1992, the "first American Home in (Vladimir) Russia" has developed into the headquarters for a variety of challenging projects. Visitors are always welcome  at the America Home. Located at 600000 Vladimir Ulitsa Letneperevozinskaya, 3 Amerikanskii Dom Phone 011 7 4922 32-36-87 Fax 011 7 4922 32-36-04 Email ah@amhome.elcom.ru
	USAID official Brock Bierman visiting an English class in June 2005. Mr. Bierman expressed considerable admiration for what the American Home has managed to accomplish since 1992.

Many programs and activities have evolved since 1992, simply because this project went forward.   Did we imagine how far-reaching the AH programs would be and how many lives they would touch?  Absolutely not!  Our dream wasn't quite that large.  However, thanks to the collective imaginations and exceptional efforts of the AH team, our mission in Vladimir continues to expand. 

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The American Home Project:  Our History

"If someone asks them in the morning, 'Where are you hurrying?' he hears, 'Home.'  That is exactly how, briefly and affectionately, the employees of the firm Serendipity refer to their place of work, the American Home."
"A Warm Home at the Kozlov Rampart," Vladimir newspaper, Vspol'e, February 16, 1996.

The "first American home" in Vladimir was conceived in 1991 as an "ice breaking" project that would open the door to concrete assistance to the Russians during their unprecedented transition from a Communist totalitarian system to, hopefully, a stable democratic system.  

The ground breaking ceremony was held May 18, 1992, and the American Home was officially dedicated July 4th of that year.   (The rapid completion of the home surprised many Russians.  They were used to construction projects taking many years to complete--if they were finished at all.  When one individual was told that work would begin in May and the home would be dedicated on the American Independence holiday, he wanted to know:  "July 4 of what year?").

FULL HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN HOME (PDF format)

AMERICAN ENGLISH & CULTURE PROGRAM INITIATED

In September 1992, Serendipity began offering English classes taught by three young Americans.  This program quickly grew from 80 to more than 350 students which, with four classrooms in the basement,  was close to its physical capacity at that time.  In 2004 an additional classroom was added in the attic.  We currently employ eight full-time teachers and enroll more than 400 students per term. 

The English Program's main attractions include energetic native-speaking teachers using a variety of materials and innovative EFL (English as a Foreign Language) -based teaching techniques.  In addition to our regular classes, we also offer conversation classes and a special class to help students prepare for the TOEFL exam (Test of English as a Foreign Language) which is required for admission by most American colleges and universities.

Since its inception, the English Program has been very ably directed by Galya Altonen--and her husband, Alexei Altonen, is in charge of “special projects.”  Specifically, Alexei facilitates the organization's not-for-profit projects, such as educational and art exchanges, and a basketball program, as well as assisting with tourism and other commercial projects.  Together with the rest of the Russian and American staff, they make an excellent team.

The income from the English Program covers most of the cost of operating the American Home. 

"...when people of different nationalities become well acquainted with one another, they have no reason for hostility."
A Warm Home at the Kozlov Rampart," Vladimir newspaper, Vspol'e, February 16, 1996

OUR STAFF The Home's staff is a great source of assistance to Russians ranging from, for example, providing information on how to apply to American universities, to answering questions concerning translation, to explaining American holidays.  (In 1995 the first haunted house was created in the American Home by the English Club.)  In 1999 the American Home was licensed by the Russian government to teach Russian to foreigners.  Interest in that program is growing. L-R:  Olya Solovkina (secretary/receptionist), Tanya Fedorova (cashier/household manager), Valentina Spiridonova (attorney), Nadya Pyanikova (tour escort), Ira Leonteva (bookkeeper), Oxana Ustinova (office manager)

Oxana Ustinova (office manager) and Tanya Fedorova (cashier/household manager) planting flowers in the AH backyard         LIBRARY       The American Home provides access to a growing library of American publications and videos with movies being shown three Saturday afternoons a month during the academic year.

The American Home in Vladimir has become a center for the study of American culture, a meeting place for Vladimir's local Partner [Sister] Cities Association, and the communications center for, and frequently the initiator and coordinator of, a wide variety of "special  projects."

In addition to our English and Culture and Intensive Russian programs, we have enjoyed contributing to a variety of educational, law enforcement, and art exchanges; we have provided support to the local basketball program and have provided substantial assistance to humanitarian aid projects.  We are currently engaged in a  major ongoing effort to provide assistance with tourism development.

Read the detailed history of the American Home in PDF format here.

BUILDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS LIST in PDF format.

FACTS & FIGURES

• more than 50 north American companies donated products and more than two dozen volunteers traveled from the States to make the project a reality

• estimated cost if built in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois in 1992: $120,000, including the lot (the lot in Russia was initially provided by the City; it is now being leased--for 49 years--by Serendipity)

• cost of building the Home in Russia, including the estimated value of the donated materials and labor and shipping charges: $225,000

• above and beyond the donated materials and labor, Serendipity invested an initial $125,000 in the project; this included shipping costs, materials that weren't donated, and all costs in Russia, including room and board (and sightseeing) for the volunteer builders

• built as a 1,400 square foot ranch with three bedrooms, two bathrooms on the main level, eat-in kitchen, laundry area, two-car garage, a full basement, and useable attic space.

• the basement includes three classrooms, a large meeting room / classroom, a half bath, and what was initially a small office for the teachers; the office was converted to a library in 2004 when the teachers moved to a much larger room in the attic

• 8" insulated walls with vapor barrier, extra attic insulation, energy efficient windows and exterior doors--thanks to its design and materials, the Home is much more comfortable than most Russians thought possible

• in-home natural gas heating and hot water--not standard in Russia; the siding and roofing are also unusual for Russia

• gas log fireplace in the kitchen which is the backup heating system for the Home

• filtration for drinking water in the kitchen; particle filtration system for the entire Home

• main and backup transformers which convert the 220 volt Russian current to 110 volt--the Home is wired for both 220 and 110 current; lighting, appliances, etc. are gradually being converted to the 220 current now that good quality electrical products are readily available in Vladimir

• in 2004 a new office for the teachers, additional storage, and a fifth classroom were added in the attic and about two thirds of the garage was converted to a pleasant waiting area for students and visitors--every square inch of the Home is now being utilized

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