JUNTOS IN THE COMMUNITY
The HALO Center

The HALO Center is housed in a former elementary school near downtown Holyoke. It offers instruction in beginning ABE, pre-GED, and GED, in addition to beginning and low- intermediate English literacy. The HALO teachers feel supported by the partnership. Through joint activities, such as developing curriculum aligned with the Massachusetts ABE Curriculum Frameworks, they say they feel connected to the other programs. Kelly Martin, the EL teacher, commented that she used to worry about her students when they moved beyond her class to take more advanced courses at other partner sites. But now, she says, "When I send them to the next level, I know the teacher; I know that it's a positive step for them, and they're going to a good place." Karen Morgan, HALO's intake specialist, also sees the benefits of the partnership. She is delighted she can "give someone who comes through the door who doesn't fit here a place to go, rather than a dead end."