URC/CHS News Archives | Contact us | Home

URC/CHS News

CHS Continues ESL and Civics Education Project for New Jersey Hispanic Community

The Center for Human Services in New Jersey on July 1, 2006, began the second year of an innovative English Literacy and Civics Education Program directed to Southern New Jersey’s large Hispanic Community. In partnership with the Vineland City Public School System, the prime recipient of a grant from the New Jersey State Department of Labor, CHS administers this Adult Basic Skills and English as a Second Language (ESL) Program to non-native adult learners of all Hispanic nationalities in Southern New Jersey.

The comprehensive program offers ESL instruction for Hispanic adult learners at various levels of English language proficiency. In addition to ESL training and secondary-level education courses, program participants are provided with civics instruction intended to help build a more personalized knowledge of U.S. history, governance, and democracy. Students are assisted to learn U.S. laws and customs and to prepare for the U.S. Naturalization test. In addition, the program offers training in job skills and strategies designed to help students obtain and retain employment and to advance in their careers.

CHS plays a key role in the region in bridging the gap created by language and cultural differences by serving as a central resource and service center for New Jersey’s Hispanic communities. While learning English, program participants can get assistance with a variety of social and health-related issues and even obtain day care for their children while they study. Programs targeted to the Hispanic communities and to Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers include high school equivalency preparation and courses in ESL and computer training. CHS offers vocational rehabilitation and services for the prevention and management of diabetes. In addition, the Government of Mexico, for its long distance learning program, selected the CHS New Jersey office as one of the sites in the U.S. where Mexicans can use a computer portal to complete their high school or college degrees.

For more information on CHS’ activities in New Jersey please contact Louis Marino at lmarino@urc-chs.com.

Back to top

Return to What's New