"We Are Learning So Many Important Survival Skills"
Our Progreso Center for Literacy and Citizenship partners with many organizations across our community, with the goal to
make learning English as a Second Language (ESL) more accessible to immigrant neighbors.
This spring, Progreso Center volunteers are conducting an ESL session for parents whose children attend Hybla Valley Elementary School. "These parents don't have access to transportation to get to Progreso's main office," explains Cristina Schoendorf, UCM center director. "We've had excellent participation and retention of our adult learners.These weekly classes combine learning English with learning computer skills, which helps people gain employment and better jobs."
"We want to thank UCM and our great instructors, Mr. Barnes and Mr. John, for helping our families learn and improve their English an
d computer skills," says the school's parent liaison. "We even have three grandmothers attending both classes, which has brought a new freshness to the group. They are learning so many important survival skills.
"Mr. Barnes has been so graceful and patient with each participant. It has been a perfect fit! Parents are now asking about the new schedule for English classes. The word is going around the neighborhood. We are ready to receive them back again!"