929 S. Farragut Street Philadelphia, PA 19143 215-382-0292 ihmliteracywest@gmail.com
Our Volunteer Staff for 2017-2018
Gratitude to our full and part-time volunteers reaching out to our 132 students in 20 class sessions! Site Coordinator: Sister Sarah Lamb, IHM Administrative Assistant: Sister Rita Marotta, IHM Instructors: Sr. Nancy Bradbury, IHM, Mary Brewster, Caroline Burkhardt, Angie Coghlin, Sr. Mary T. Dooley, IHM, Sr. Jean Annette Eno, IHM, Kathy Fagan, Victoria Iannotta, Bonnie Luna, Rachael McBride, Sr. Marie McDonnell, IHM, Ellen Pierson, Al Rensbarger, Linda Roberts, Anurag Sagar, Phyllis Vernia and Sr. Alma Marie Walls, IHM Computer Teacher: Sr. Peggy Shields, IHM Computer Tutor: Roy Greim, Ernie Sherretta Classroom Tutors: Kristina Centore, Marilyn MacNguyen, Maria Wodraska Citizenship Class Instructor: Dan Ruppert Substitutes: Peggy Kovich, Zoray Spielvogel, Alice Wells Hospitality: Patricia Parker, Bridget Peachey, Kellyann Zuzulo Website Manager: Sister Rita Marotta, IHM
We are so very grateful to our volunteers for their generosity of time and talent!
Some Statistics about the Class of 2017 - 2018 We presently serve 135 adults enrolled from 23 Countries. The majority of our students come from both the Eastern and Western countries of Africa and many speak French. The majority of students are women and these students range in age from 22 to 67 years of age. Since September 2017, six more students have become Citizens of the United States, bringing our total to 33 citizens! 76% of our students are employed; 57% in full time employment and 18% are part-time and one is self-employed.
Over the past school year, the following goals have been accomplished by some of our students: - 10 have gotten a Library Card and 18 visited the library - 13 have gotten a pay raise - 13 are studying to become US Citizens - 4 voted for the first time; two other new citizens will be eligible to vote in the next election - 3 received their Green Cards - 11 have gotten a driver's license and 2 have driving permits - 1 began a Pre-GED program - 3 acquired better housing - 18 were able to fill out a form with no help Some of our students achieved some unusual accomplishments: - 1 started a company with a friend making Empanadas! - 1 became a Notary after taking and passing a class in English! - 1 answered a subpoena and testified as a witness to a robbery - Several attended a Job Fair, filling out forms and getting hired "on the spot" - 1 received approval for a work permit - 1 began training to be a Nurse - 1 studied and got his Pilot's license; he is now studying to become a Commercial Pilot! We encourage our students to make small, attainable goals each month and applaud them when these are reached!