Dorcas Place Adult Basic Education & ESOL Programs provided instruction in day and evening classes for 1,085 adult learners, a 33% increase over FY08. Learner gains in less than one year were significant given that 50% of students entered at or below the 6th grade reading level: 57% of those retested advanced by one or more educational functioning levels in reading. 23 adults gained GEDs.
Career Academy & Job Center enrolled 153 students. 75 students gained jobs, an 82% increase over FY08~ significant given RI’s high unemployment rate. One-quarter were hired in health care. To help adults find work in this recession economy, job search services expanded for our general population. 133 dislocated workers referred by the RI Department of Labor received English language instruction as well as computer and financial literacy classes. After six months, approximately 45% increased their English competency, surpassing the Rhode Island Department of Education’s 33% target.
Clothing Collaborative Program provided 1,452 Providence area adults with work-appropriate clothing, and served as a customer service internship site for Career Academy students. This represents a 33% increase in demand over FY08. 3,256 individuals were served statewide.
Rhode Island Welcome Back Center opened its doors in June 2008 with 67 immigrant professionals registering for services in the first month. Services include English language instruction, case management, re-credentialing and licensing support for internationally trained and credentialed health professionals.
College Preparatory Program “Bridge to College” served 58 students at the Providence and Newport campuses of the Community College of RI. 27 students completed their 3-credit course, and 16 of these students were accepted and enrolled in CCRI or other post-secondary institutions. In addition, a new Developmental Education Institute for Reading was piloted in spring 2008, with 14 students enrolled and 8 advancing to their next course.
Family Literacy Program partnered with Providence Public Schools and 4 local elementary schools providing 195 families with adult education and inter-generational learning activities designed to strengthen parents’ language and literacy skills and child educational gains. In September 2008, the USDOE awarded a Full Service Community Schools Program grant to Dorcas Place. This is a 5-year Family Literacy partnership with Providence Public Schools, John Hope Settlement House, Making Connections Providence & Greater Providence YMCA.
Civics Education Program hosted elected officials and held a mock primary election campaign engaging 356 students that promoted civic awareness, voter registration, and community involvement. 25 students participated in intensive citizenship classes and 13 passed their citizenship exam.
Student Support Services Program provided 721 students with counseling and referrals to assist them in personal and family matters that often pose significant barriers to persistence and success in school.
New England Board of Higher Education and the New England Higher Education Compact selected Dorcas Place to be the 2008 recipient of the Rhode Island State Merit Award for “Higher Education Excellence” in recognition of our leadership in adult education and development of post-secondary educational opportunities for all citizens.
©2004 Dorcas Place Adult & Family Learning Center, Inc. . 220 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI 02907 . phone: 401-273-8866