ECS Urban Bridges held its closing ceremony for the 2009-2010 school year. The annual event is an opportunity for learners from the program’s adult literacy and ESL classes, as well as their teachers and tutors, to celebrate their accomplishments.
Alexa, a learner in the adult literacy program, summed up what many learners expressed.
“I would like to thank ECS for giving me the opportunity to join this program,” she said. “I never thought I could make it this far, but with the support of my tutors, Urban Bridges and my family, I’m going to be a better mom, a better person and successful in my career.”
The adult literacy program provides one-on-one instruction thanks to volunteer tutors from Villanova University and St. Joseph’s University. That way, the program can cater to a diverse range of abilities and goals. Some students come to prepare for more intensive GED classes, while others just want to brush up on certain subjects in order to help their children with homework.
For Latasha, a mother of four, gaining entrance to the Urban Bridges adult diploma program was the culmination of a yearlong commitment to the adult literacy program.
“I waited a long time to get this done,” she said. “I’m so proud of myself and I’m so proud of my children because they encourage me every day to push harder and do the things I want to do in life. I will be receiving my high school diploma on June 28 (2011) and am applying to college.”
New classes at ECS Urban Bridges, located in the Olney section of Philadelphia, will begin in September. For more information on enrollment, visit http://www.ecs1870.org/programs/ub.
