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Supported by the Office of Vocational and Adult Education
of the U.S. Department of Education
Juntos Collaborative
" "

Complete Profile
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Community type
 Small city; population of 40,000

Location
Holyoke, Massachusetts

Geographic region
 Northeast

Partners
Holyoke Public Schools, the Community Education Project, the Community Adolescent Resource and Education (Care) Center, Holyoke Community College, the New England Farmworkers Council, and the Massachusetts Career Development Institute.

Population served
Adults with basic education, English literacy, college transition, computer literacy, vocational training and job service needs. A large percentage of the learners are Latinos, and most of these are from Puerto Rico.

Lessons learned

  • Power in numbers: since forming the collaborative, Juntos partners have gained visibility for their programs and services and become a stronger voice for adult education in the community and state.

  • What makes the partnership work: shared goals; a high level of commitment to the community and to each program; trust among partners; diversified funding and openness about finances; strong leadership; and persistence.

Partnership highlights

  • The partnership is guided by an advisory council that includes Juntos program partners, adult learners, and representatives from business, K-12 and higher education, and workforce development and social service agencies.

  • The collaborative has increased its access to funds and served more learners as a result of the partnership.

  • The number of classroom places for learners has increased 100 percent since the partnership began in 1995.

  • The enrollment of male students has increased from 20 percent in 1998-1999 to 33 percent in 2000-2001.
  • Holyoke Community College offers a college transition program for learners in partner programs that includes the support of mentors (former ABE students now attending HCC).

  • Juntos partners collaborate on professional development for instructors and administrative staff. They offer formal sessions on topics of mutual interest (including curriculum development) and encourage informal sharing among teachers across providers.

Resources
Funding from the Massachusetts Department of Education; Nellie Mae Education Foundation ABE-to-College Transition Funds; Holyoke Public Schools 21st Century Learning Center Grant; W. K. Kellogg Foundation; and in-kind resources from various organizations.

Contact

Paul Hyry, Director, Adult/Parent Education
Holyoke Public Schools
165 Sargeant Street
Holyoke, MA 01040
(413) 534-2026
phyry@hps.holyoke.ma.us

http://www.juntoscollaborative.org