Adult Education

VOC’s Adult education program experienced a period of significant growth over the past year. many ukrainian refugees moved to the area, and VOC added an english for Speakers of Other Languages (eSOL) class and an additional Citizenship class to respond to the increased needs of the community. Classes are underway and are full.

the eSOL class was made possible through a partnership and funding from the Community Foundation of Western massachusetts in response to the high community need as evidenced by phone calls and referrals. VOC plans to continue to respond to the increased demand and shift as needed to best serve the community.

The VOC Adult Education Anthology has been an annual tradition for more than 20 years as a way to formally honor student writing. through the years, the Anthology has grown to include messages from staff, along with pictures and other graphics that connect to the students and their writings.

Adult education students write about themselves, their families and other things and experiences in their world. Last year, after two years of COVi D, the Anthology had a theme to focus on “things that bring us joy.” each piece is written and revised, which involves writing instruction, modeling, and practice, and often means one-on-one meetings between the student and the instructor.

“these stories are theirs, and we strive to keep it that way, whether they are a beginning eSOL student or a high-level High School equivalency student writer. We have had students contribute narratives, fiction, poetry, recipes, interviews, and puzzles, and the cover artwork is often student-created,” said Jeanne Almanzar, Assistant program Coordinator for VOC’s Adult education program.

Big

i have a big family. they are wonderful. i have a mother, father, 4 brothers and 5 sisters. my family lives in ukraine. i have 17 nieces and nephews.

i miss my family, but we often communicate via Skype.

my parents live in a big house. For me it is the best place on earth, because i was born and raised there.

my family loves to get together, socialize, play games, and sing songs.

i love my family very much, and i want the war to end as soon as possible so that we can get together again.

Jeanne

Assistant Program Coordinator

the Anthologies are given out at the Adult education’s Annual recognition Ceremony each June. “the students love seeing their work in print, and often have each other sign their books,” Jeanne said. the Anthologies are also handed out to staff members who share in honoring and recognizing the growth of their students.

Binta is from mali and has been in VOC’s Adult education program since march 2022. Binta started her journey with VOC in the eSOL 3 and Citizenship class last Spring. She is an exemplary and devoted student; in the Fall, Binta was taking extra computer classes at the Springfield Library, and also became a massHire member.

Binta has passed her u SA naturalization interview and became a u.S. Citizen. She has just gotten a job at yankee Candle in South Deerfield, and has applied for the next HCC CnA training – her career goal is to become a nurse.