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Our Program

The family literacy approach

Four steps to education

The family literacy approach emphasizes parent-child joint learning through a four-pronged approach designed by the National Center for Families Learning:

  • Literacy (ESOL) classes for mothers

  • An early childhood development program

  • Parent and Child Literacy Time

  • Parenting, life skills, and health classes for mothers

The Benefits

This approach empowers mothers to become their children’s best teachers by raising their own literacy levels at the same time that their children are learning. While mothers learn English, their children develop language and school-readiness skills through interaction with trained early childhood teachers. Mothers gain exposure to literacy-learning techniques modeled in the Parent-child class, which they then reinforce at home. In this way, parent and child learn together.

Schedule & Enrollment

Schedule
Mondays - Thursdays

9:00AM - 12:30PM

School Year

August - May 

Cost

Most students donate $15/month as an investment in their education.

Locations

NEW! Clarkston Community Center
965 N Indian Creek Dr
Clarkston, GA 30021

(Entrance behind the Clarkston Library)    

Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church

3974 Memorial College Ave

Stone Mountain, GA  30083

(Entrance across from Office Depot)

Simultaneous Learning

Photo by Jennifer Green

English as a Second or Other Language (ESOL)

We offer 4 classes of ESOL instruction, and a GED Prep Class, for adults Mondays-Thursdays (August - May school year) across our two program sites. Students receive seven hours of weekly instruction.
     
Levels 1, 2 & 4
Meet Mondays and Wednesdays,
9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.


Level 2, 3 & GED Prep
Meet Tuesdays and Thursdays
9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Child Development program

While mothers take part in their ESOL classes, children attend classes grouped according to four age groups:

- Infants
- Ages 1-2
- Ages 2-3 (young preschool)
- Ages 3-5 (older preschool)


Children's classes nurture social-emotional and physical development in a safe, caring, and language-rich environment. Classes emphasize learning through play and engagement with teachers, volunteers, and classmates. Older children enjoy activities that promote emergent literacy and school readiness so that they will be prepared to thrive in kindergarten. 

Collaborative Learning

Parent & Child Classes

During parent-child sessions, mothers and children learn literacy skills together through arts, crafts, songs, stories and more. The concepts covered prepares both the child and the parent for entry into the school system. Our young students get classroom experience, and the parents are introduced to classroom concepts and gain experience interacting in English with their children’s teachers.

Beyond The Classroom

ESOL Assemblies & Citizenship

Monthly workshops allow our students to apply their literacy skills to practical situations. Workshops cover everything from parent-teacher conferences to interacting with emergency services.

Additionally, an amazing volunteer  teaches citizenship preparation classes four days a week.  Students learn about the United States government and history in preparation for their citizenship exam an interview.

Photo by Jennifer Green

Collaborative Learning

Parent & Child Classes

During parent-child sessions (PACT), mothers and children learn literacy skills together through arts, crafts, songs, stories and more. The concepts covered prepares both the child and the parent for entry into the school system. Our young students get classroom experience, and the parents are introduced to classroom concepts and gain experience interacting in English with their children’s teachers.

Family Support

Mommy and Me Refugee-023 (1).jpg

Resources & Assistance

As a new addition to our program, we offer assistance that extends beyond the classroom in order to support growing, healthy families.

We partner with our students to support their access to needed social benefits (Medicaid, Food Stamps, Health Care), school registration, transportation to appointments, navigating Early Intervention services (Babies Can't Wait), mental health referrals, and more. 

We utilize the gifts and time of staff and volunteers to support our students' needs in the most holistic way possible. 

Eat.Move.Talk!

Support us!

Donate

Donations from our community are essential in order for us to provide excellent programs for the families we serve. We are a 501(c)3, and all donations are tax-deductible and acknowledged in writing.

Volunteer

Volunteers are an essential part of our program! ​We have a variety of opportunities: helping in classrooms, tutoring English, and gathering and distributing supplies. Volunteers can come for an hour several times a week, or stay for a couple of hours one day each week.

children dancing.jpg

In partnership with the Georgia Department of Public Health, our Eat.Move.Talk! program incorporates healthy eating (Healthy Food Experience), movement activities and Dual Language Learning practices into our classrooms' curriculum and activities each day.

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