A Caring Community of Support
UCM was honored to receive a competitive grant award from the Virginia Literacy Foundation to combine literacy with workforce development to increase employability for immigrants.
As part of the award, UCM's Director of Literacy Cristina Schoendorf was selected to lead a workshop at the foundation's annual conference "Pathways to Student Success 2017" in Richmond. Cristina provided practical advice on "Student Retention of Adult Learners" to a standing-room-only audience of fellow educators.
"For working immigrant and refugee populations, the challenge is finding the time and energy to commit to attending ESL classes and doing the work," Cristina explains. "Students' socioeconomic status plays a major role whether immigrants enroll and if they have to drop out early. Our program has to identify and factor in potential barriers that may affect both student and program outcomes. Obstacles can vary from student to student, as well as external factors in the community at large, especially with the current political climate with immigration travel bans. Progreso can't control the barriers, but we can control how they are addressed and monitored."
UCM was honored to receive a competitive grant award from the Virginia Literacy Foundation to combine literacy with workforce development to increase employability for immigrants.
As part of the award, UCM's Director of Literacy Cristina Schoendorf was selected to lead a workshop at the foundation's annual conference "Pathways to Student Success 2017" in Richmond. Cristina provided practical advice on "Student Retention of Adult Learners" to a standing-room-only audience of fellow educators.
"For working immigrant and refugee populations, the challenge is finding the time and energy to commit to attending ESL classes and doing the work," Cristina explains. "Students' socioeconomic status plays a major role whether immigrants enroll and if they have to drop out early. Our program has to identify and factor in potential barriers that may affect both student and program outcomes. Obstacles can vary from student to student, as well as external factors in the community at large, especially with the current political climate with immigration travel bans. Progreso can't control the barriers, but we can control how they are addressed and monitored."
"We must be flexible in our class design and locations. For example, we were able to accommodate a request from the local mosque for a females-only class so that the women could learn English in a more comfortable setting for them."
The Center has had students from 32 countries, speaking 17 different languages. Classes conducted at convenient locations in the community include English conversation, basic ESL to level 5, and two levels of citizenship classes -- all taught by volunteers. Classes are held at various times of day and night, and at locations including the Sherwood Hall Library and Good Shepherd Catholic Church, and at the Center's own facility across from the South County Government Center. A new ESL class is planned at the UCM Creekside Village Community Center.
"I am so proud of each and every one of our students. So many of them deal with difficult home and work situations, often working multiple jobs with unpredictable schedules. Yet they are able to get to class for the entire semester and graduate to the next level. Our goal is that Progreso clients become self-sufficient, engaged, and productive members of their community. Jose is an excellent example of that."
The Center has had students from 32 countries, speaking 17 different languages. Classes conducted at convenient locations in the community include English conversation, basic ESL to level 5, and two levels of citizenship classes -- all taught by volunteers. Classes are held at various times of day and night, and at locations including the Sherwood Hall Library and Good Shepherd Catholic Church, and at the Center's own facility across from the South County Government Center. A new ESL class is planned at the UCM Creekside Village Community Center.
"I am so proud of each and every one of our students. So many of them deal with difficult home and work situations, often working multiple jobs with unpredictable schedules. Yet they are able to get to class for the entire semester and graduate to the next level. Our goal is that Progreso clients become self-sufficient, engaged, and productive members of their community. Jose is an excellent example of that."
Jose's Story
Progreso student Jose moved to the US several years ago from Guatemala with his wife, who is now a US citizen.
He recently started classes at Progreso. "My wife has been encouraging me to finally take citizenship classes, but it has been hard to find the time with my work and various jobs. I was nervous about my English ability which I need to to take the citizenship exam, so I came to Progreso to improve it."
The Progreso Center offers 2 different citizenship classes, each taught in English. One class is for students who will take the citizenship test in the coming months; the other is geared toward those who are preparing for the future.
Jose received critical assistance with the application process and forms required by the U.S. Customs and Immigration Service, thanks to pro bono immigration attorney Joyce Williams, who meets clients by appointment several evenings a week at Progreso.
Progreso student Jose moved to the US several years ago from Guatemala with his wife, who is now a US citizen.
He recently started classes at Progreso. "My wife has been encouraging me to finally take citizenship classes, but it has been hard to find the time with my work and various jobs. I was nervous about my English ability which I need to to take the citizenship exam, so I came to Progreso to improve it."
The Progreso Center offers 2 different citizenship classes, each taught in English. One class is for students who will take the citizenship test in the coming months; the other is geared toward those who are preparing for the future.
Jose received critical assistance with the application process and forms required by the U.S. Customs and Immigration Service, thanks to pro bono immigration attorney Joyce Williams, who meets clients by appointment several evenings a week at Progreso.
Jose has studied hard and is ready for his US Citizenship test and interview. We'll keep you posted on his progress!
Wondering how you would do on the test? Take a sample test here.
Volunteer Power
The Progreso Center operates on a semester calendar like a school, with a few classes in summer, and are always at full capacity with a continuous waiting list. Prospective students at all levels who are waiting to take a class are encouraged to attend the more informal English conversation group at the Sherwood Hall Library.
Wondering how you would do on the test? Take a sample test here.
Volunteer Power
The Progreso Center operates on a semester calendar like a school, with a few classes in summer, and are always at full capacity with a continuous waiting list. Prospective students at all levels who are waiting to take a class are encouraged to attend the more informal English conversation group at the Sherwood Hall Library.
Volunteer teachers celebrate the end of another successful semester. "Our classes depend on volunteer power," explains Cristina. "We currently have 26 dedicated, professional volunteers, including 5 teachers who have donated their time for more than 10 years. Some of our volunteers teach ESL as their profession, but they are fom all walks of life and careers. Several former Progreso clients have even returned to teach for us! Each in their one way has a passion for teaching and empowering their students to learn. They are able to establish a trust level and personal relationships with their students -- so much so that many times, a student doesn't way to graduate to the next level because she loves her current teacher so much!"
She continues, "We have several immigration attorneys who donate their time and expertise offering guidance and assistance with necessary paperwork and applications. Requests for their help has increased, so we welcome new volunteers and can provide training for them."
If you'd like to volunteer or make a donation to UCM's Progreso Center for Literacy and Citizenship, email Cristina Schoendorf.
She continues, "We have several immigration attorneys who donate their time and expertise offering guidance and assistance with necessary paperwork and applications. Requests for their help has increased, so we welcome new volunteers and can provide training for them."
If you'd like to volunteer or make a donation to UCM's Progreso Center for Literacy and Citizenship, email Cristina Schoendorf.
Know Your Rights Town Hall
Cristina and pro bono attorney Joyce have been selected to be part of the panel discussion at Congressman Don Beyer's upcoming Know Your Right Town Hall in Mount Vernon. Originally set for March 1, the event is being rescheduled due to the weather for later this spring. Look for that date on the UCM Events page soon!
(Mar. 2017 E-news)
Cristina and pro bono attorney Joyce have been selected to be part of the panel discussion at Congressman Don Beyer's upcoming Know Your Right Town Hall in Mount Vernon. Originally set for March 1, the event is being rescheduled due to the weather for later this spring. Look for that date on the UCM Events page soon!
(Mar. 2017 E-news)
