Page 6 - CNA Annual Report for 2017 FINAL.pdf

PROGRAM REPORT

“I’m learning, I’m talking -
TELLING OUR STORIES: ǡ I meet new people.
ǡ I hear new voices.
I taste new tastes.
Never -
ǣ ǡ I’m not tired, I’m not tired!
ugba, a student from Turkey, wrote a poem about learning English, exploring Because,
Ther new community, and the hope that this experience gives her. She joined I’m looking for Pandora’s box,
two other students who shared their stories in verse at the Reading & Celebration There is hope in the box!”
hosted by the Poetry Center at Smith College to celebrate this year’s 30 Poems
in November!
The students were welcomed warmly by 30 Poems in November! co-chairs, Abigail
Warren and Elsa Phillippi Cline. Long-time friends and dedicated writers, Abby and Elsa
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dedicated writing group members, to well-known, published authors, these 70 people
joined Abby and Elsa in writing a poem a day and cajoling family members and friends
to support them. Together, 70 writers and their 700 supporters raised over $38,000
for English classes for immigrants. Among this year’s supporters were generous local
businesses: Broadside Bookshop, Jones Realty Company, Cambridge College, Paul &
Elizabeth’s, Sasson Turnbull Ryan & Hoose, and Wohl Family Dentistry.
Once again, we worked with Levellers Press to produce a poetry anthology to thank
those who wrote and raised in support of Center for New Americans’ free English
classes for immigrants. Nancy Haver’s beautiful woodcut of the Mill River and Randy Zucco’s careful editing distinguish
the book. An anthology of student poems written in classes in all four of our program sites, with guidance from teachers
and classroom volunteers, was designed by one of our Smith College interns. Some student writers were even videotaped
reading their poems by Holyoke Community College students as part of a community service learning project.

ǣ ǡ ǯ
hanks to several generous grants, Center for New Americans invested
Tlast year in new ways to tell our organizational story, and showcase our
students’ achievements.

A capacity-building grant from the Beveridge Family Foundation enabled
us to design a new database to more effectively document our students’
and clients’ progress. “How many students enrolled in college last year?”
“How many alumni opened a new business?” “How many of the students
we trained and coached secured jobs as home health aides?” “How many
of the clients we guided passed their citizenship interview?” These are the
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Also during this past year, Center for New Americans staff and board
members were privileged to attend a thought-provoking workshop series
hosted by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. We were
encouraged to think about how to enhance marketing, technology, board, and fundraising components to build a foundation
for future growth. With a grant from the Foundation at the series’ conclusion, we re-designed our website to interface
more seamlessly with our new database, and highlight our programs and the immigrants who rely on them. Please visit
www.cnam.org to learn more about our work and our students’ stories.
Finally, we took note of students like Gaby, who was almost late to the classes she loved because she also loved studying
English online. Teachers recognized the power of introducing lessons in class and giving students tools to study at home
online, and have enrolled more than 30 students in online learning. Students practice listening, reading, pronunciation, and
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learners, and teachers are hastening to expand the opportunity to as many students as we can capably support.
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