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Volunteer Invitation Packet

Boston HERC Adult Education

Program

2015-2016

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About the Boston Higher Education Resource Center: History, Vision,

and Mission

The Boston Higher Education Resource Center (HERC) is a social justice

ministry of the Congregación Leon de Judá, a 1,200-member Latino church in

Roxbury. It was birthed in 1998 as part of a diverse collaborative to build on

the strengths of the faith community to transform persistent educational

disparities. We are committed to empowering Roxbury’s predominantly low-

income immigrant families with the tools needed to advocate for themselves,

awaken and achieve their personal visions, and become active participants

and leaders in the community. Our vision is to inculcate a culture of learning

that alters the trajectory of an entire generation of Latinos, youth and adults,

and enables them to escape the grip of poverty through education. Our range

of services includes long-term youth mentoring, college access programs, and

adult education. Through these services supported by a dynamic core of

volunteers, participants gain the tools and knowledge that enable them to

complete high school, move on to college or vocational schools and acquire

better paying jobs. Since opening, we have helped almost 900 youth graduate

from college and 500 students make progress in their English studies – and

we invite you to be a part.

Our Core Values:

* We value programs that develop the whole person

* We value staff that minister to the whole person

* We value awakening vision in our students

* We value engaging the entire family

* We value encouraging peer support

* We value being accessible

* We value building bridges

* We value transcending traditional barriers

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About the HERC Adult Education Program

Boston HERC’s Adult Education Program was born out of the HERC

mission to serve the whole family. Since its inception in 2001, we have grown

from an emerging, unstructured program with a single volunteer and a dozen

students to one that serves over 140 adults annually with a full-time

Director, two part-time AmeriCorps Counselors, and a team of over 25

volunteer teachers and tutors, and a program with a structure which

supports constant growth and quality of educational offerings. We are

principally funded by the City of Boston- English for New Bostonians

initiative.

The core of our program is Monday/Wednesday ESOL classes from

September to May for a total of five instructional hours per week. Classes are

learner-centered, as we recognize that our adult students are individuals

who bring a wealth of life experience, interests, and immediate/long-term

goals to our classrooms to share. We also offer critical support services,

including jobs counseling, child care, and social assistance referrals. In 2011,

we intend to expand our volunteer teaching base and services to add

Saturday segments to reach immigrant workers who are not able to attend

during the week.

Our Learners and Their Needs

Our service area is the Lower Roxbury neighborhood of Boston,

where the Latino population is one of the fastest growing minority groups.1

Within walking distance of HERC, 30% of residents are Latino and a

staggering 75% of Spanish speaking residents in this area (564 at last count)

speak English “less than very well.”2 For many of our Roxbury neighbors, the

English language poses a formidable barrier. On average, an immigrant in

Massachusetts who speaks English fluently early $38,526 annually compared

to just $14,221 for an immigrant who does not speak English well. Indeed,

although almost all of our students work, over 90% live in poverty. Most are

underemployed with little opportunity for advancement due to language and

other barriers. In addition to limited opportunities, many of our ESL learners

report struggling with a feeling of silencing, shame, and inadequacy when it

comes to speaking English. Some of them have been in the United States for

many years and have not had a consistent, safe environment in which they

can practice the language without fear.

1 Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) Research Division.

2 Composite Data, Roxbury Census Tracts 804 & 805. American Community Survey 5 year

estimates 2005-2009.

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Despite the growing needs, however, the underserved Latino

population and other linguistic minority populations have not received

ample equal educational opportunities. While there are an estimated 237,000

immigrants with limited English proficiency in the Greater Boston area, there

are only slots for about 5% of them.3 Our site is the only one in Boston to

provide free evening child care so working parents can attend school.

Our Mission

Through teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

classes, we strive to empower members of Boston’s immigrant community by

providing a safe space in which they are instructionally, emotionally, and

spiritually encouraged to improve their English language communication skills

and overcome barriers to employment and education advancement.

What makes us different?

There are many ESL programs in the City of Boston, some of which

use the same resources and curriculum that we do. But what sets us apart is

the Boston HERC is how and why we do what we do. More than the simple

transfer of a set of language skills, we see our work as a social ministry and a

space of transformation. We use a participatory, dialogic model of relating to

the students that draws on their life experiences and unique strengths. As a

teaching team, we are also conscious of their underlying hopes and fears. As

a practice, we open and close our classes with moments of stillness and

reflection. We believe that God’s presence can heal, strengthen, and empower

in our classrooms.

Specific ways we hope to empower and equip our students:

Giving students the power of decision in their own learning experience

Providing a safe place where they can practice and take risks

Building confidence in language skill ability

Increasing actual language fluency

Providing a space for real life issues to be explored and discussed

Encouraging students to put their goals and plans to arrive at them in

writing

Building study skills and encouraging critical thinking

3 Breaking the Language Barrier, p. 22, 23.

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Program Highlights

This ESOL Program is transforming lives. Recent immigrants are now

inquiring about continuing their education, obtaining their high school

degree equivalents, and going on to college. Our ESOL students are becoming

more effective parents and citizens; they are seizing, or creating, challenging

job opportunities, even in this difficult economy. They are using the

computer for the first time and becoming digitally literate and conversing

without fear in society. Perhaps most importantly, experience with our

learners attests more than learning English, they learn that they can learn –

that they are immensely capable beings with a purpose and potential in their

lives.

Join us!

Volunteers are the driving force behind the success of the adult

education program. They allow us to extend essential services to an

economically vulnerable population at a small fraction of the cost of a

traditional program, where there are often waitlists that extend for years.

More than that, our volunteers are agents of transformation who accompany

and encourage the immigrant community to move beyond mastery of the

English language to master of their dreams.

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Who is a typical volunteer?

Our volunteers come from all walks of life – from the immigrant

community or people that care about them. They are missions-minded

college students, seasoned professionals, parents, and people in transition in

their professions or in life. Some have prior teaching experience, and others

discover gifts they never knew they had. Yet all of our volunteers share an

openness to use their knowledge of the English language to serve the Lord

and bless others. They are ordinary people who make themselves available

to become agents of transformation by using what they have.

What positions are available?

English teachers

Children’s teacher

Computer teachers

Capacity building interns (may include technology, communications, and

media support)

Online and in-person tutors and learning advocates

Apprentice (assistant) teachers across all our program areas.

Please see complete summary of job descriptions.

Why Volunteer?

“This program is important to me

because it is one vehicle of empowering

people and using the gifts that God has

given me. The students’ dedication and

eagerness and their desire to learn was

encouraging to me.”-Volunteer Teacher,

Spring Semester

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What will I gain by serving as a volunteer?

Valuable teaching experience and professional development opportunities

Seeing people’s lives changed through the teaching of the English language

Personal fulfillment through contribution to the community

Discovering new gifts of ministry

Being part of a warm and visionary community

Learning from the wealth of experience, expertise, and skills that adults

bring to our classrooms

Training sessions, group activities, and on-going support/supervision

$1500 stipend and possible ESL certification available for 35-week

commitment as a lead teacher

What do I need in order to participate?

Basic Requirements

An active commitment to our faith and justice mission

Ability to commit to a minimum of a 15-week session, or 35 weeks/200

hours (for lead teachers)

Have a desire to serve the community through teaching ESOL

Complete the volunteer application and informational interview

Attend initial training session and check-in/debriefing meetings

Be dependable and consistent in meeting the time commitments

Be able to relate to and communicate with people from diverse

backgrounds

Personal Traits

Previous teaching or tutoring experience

Experience learning a second language

Experience in multicultural settings

A patient, teachable, and encouraging nature

Tolerant and respectful of individual differences

Perfect English is not required – our learners need help at all levels of the

program

Requirements to Receive the Stipend

Commit to teach 35 weeks/200 hours

Teach and plan for both Monday and Wednesday evenings

Keep consistent records of student attendance and volunteer hours

Attend initial training sessions

Attend monthly volunteer check-ins

Attend end-of-semester debriefing meeting

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Volunteer Opportunity Descriptions (and # Needed Each Year)

Lead Teachers (6):

Time Commitment: 7 hours a week (5:45-8:35pm, plus a minimum of one hour

of planning and reporting), Minimum 9 month commitment.

$1500 stipend provided for successful completion of service. Support for ESL

certification for a two-year commitment.

Lead teachers lead a classroom of approximately 10 students twice a week

over the course of a three-month semester. Teachers are responsible for

planning and implementing engaging, learner-centered lessons on both class

evenings using the Boston HERC ESOL curriculum. They also may provide

guidance and support for an assistant teacher.

Apprentice Teachers (7):

Time Commitment: 2.5-5 hours a week, minimum 4 month commitment.

These teachers assist the lead teacher over the course of a four-month

semester. Some assistant teachers help one night a week and others help

both nights. They both allow students to have more individualized,

supervised practice while in the classroom and teachers the opportunity to

create more small group activities.

Learning Sponsors/Tutors (10):

Time Commitment: 1-3 hours a week, minimum 6 month commitment. Flexibly

scheduled.

Tutors commit to meeting one-on-one or in small groups ESOL students

currently in our program or on the wait list for at least the duration of six

months and at least one hour per week. They focus on practicing specific

skills and goals identified by the student and teacher.

Children’s Coordinator, Teacher, and Assistants (4):

Time Commitment: 7 hours a week.

Stipend available for Monday/Wednesday night Children’s Coordinator.

Children’s teachers take care of children of our ESOL students during the Fall

and Spring semesters. They are responsible for planning and implementing

games and educational activities for the children, helping children with

homework, and arriving early to check in children as they arrive.

Other Positions:

Publicity/Communications Intern (1)

Spanish GED Teacher (2)

Welcoming Intern (1)

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Important Dates and Times:

Frequently Asked Questions

1. I don’t have any prior teaching experience. Can I still participate?

Yes! We have a variety of positions available depending on your skills,

interests, and program needs. We believe everyone has something to

contribute, and we work with you on an individual basis to find the best role

for you. Additionally, all volunteers participate in a comprehensive,

interactive 15-hour initial training that covers the basic ESL, lesson planning,

and classroom management you need to get started. Throughout the

semester, you will benefit from regular, on-going support from staff and

fellow volunteers. Finally, we use a user-friendly curriculum that provides

structure as well as flexibility for new and experienced teachers alike.

2. I can only participate one day a week. Can I still participate?

Yes! Our tutors, apprentice teachers, and welcoming team serve one day a

week. We also have opportunities for capacity building projects such as web

development and publicity with flexible hours.

3. Sounds great, how do I sign up?

1. To begin the process of becoming a volunteer, please submit an online

application, your resume, and two personal references at

www.bostonherc.org/adulted.

The Adult Education program is an academic year program with two cycles:

September 14–December 18 and January 4-June 8.

Weeknight ESOL

program

Mondays & Wednesday evenings, 6-8:30pm

Tutoring Sessions Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6-8:00 p.m.

Or by appointment between students and tutors.

Volunteer Information

Session

Individual Interview

Fall

Training/Professional

Development Dates

August 26 and September 9 6-8:30 p.m.

Another date will be added for November.

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2. Come to interview with the Director of Adult Education. Within the week,

you will be sent a Contract or a Commitment Form (depending on your role)

for you to review and confirm your participation.

3. Come to training on August 26 and September 9 (6:00 – 8:30 p.m. on both

days).

4. Placements will be decided depending on your interest and experience,

and our current needs.

Have additional questions? Please feel free to contact Leonardo Espinosa

at lespinosa@bostonherc.org or (617) 606-4273.

Thank you for your interest in the Adult Education Program!