HIGHLIGHTS

The Cedar Riverside Adult Education Collaborative and other organizations provide English language instruction, family literacy services, and other support services to a community of East African immigrants and refugees in downtown Minneapolis.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS IN MINNESOTA. . .

• Minneapolis Public Schools Adult Basic Education coordinates state and federal funds, provides English literacy and citizenship instructors and materials for the partnership and professional development for all partnership instructors.
  
  
• The Riverside Plaza Tenants' Association Resource Center administers the English literacy and computer literacy program, hires instructors, maintains a computer lab and supplies administrative as well as classroom space. The owners of the housing project provide additional classroom space and financial support.
  
  
• The Brian Coyle Community Center provides classroom and office space, literacy and citizenship courses, employment training, job placement, computer classes, and other support services for community residents.
  
  
• The Family Opportunities for Living Collaboration (FOLC) provides access to a larger network of partners, advocacy for education and support services for immigrants and refugees, and funds.
  
  
• Fairview University Medical Center contributes staff time to address community health and education issues and conducts free health education classes for local residents.
  
  

AND WHY THEY WORK. . .

• Partners coordinate services and resources. Partners pool client contact-hour dollars and leverage these, other federal grant dollars, and private funds to support coordinated adult education programs in the community.
  
  
• Partners respect and incorporate the cultural traditions and customs of learners. Providers accommodate learners' religious and cultural traditions in their programs.
  
  
• Community residents are involved in the development of programs and services. Residents are regularly consulted on their needs through surveys designed by community elders, focus groups, community meetings, and informal discussions. Immigrant and refugee leaders are encouraged to serve on FOLC's advisory council and work groups.
  
  
• Partners put the needs of the learners first. Partners hire East African counselors, teachers and other staff to help new arrivals adjust to American culture and master day-to-day challenges encountered outside the classroom.
  
  
• Partners and teachers are committed to finding the best ways to serve pre-literate English literacy learners. In their search to find better ways to help learners with few, if any, reading and writing skills in their native languages, computer and English teachers developed computer-based English literacy lessons.