Lulu Jeronimo moved from Mexico to the Cornelia area 24 years ago. The location was ideal – she had family here. However, Lulu could not speak a word of English. She couldn’t communicate with doctors or store clerks or school administrators or anyone else she came in contact with.
About eight years ago, Lulu made the decision to learn English. It wasn’t the easiest path but it has been most rewarding.
“It was hardest at the beginning,” she says. “Writing in the language, learning the pronunciation is tough. One word can mean many things. It makes it hard to understand.”
Today, LuLu’s life is radically changed because of the classes she took.
“My life is a lot different,” she states, “because I can communicate with people wherever I go. That’s made a big difference for me.”
Location, location, location
Fifteen years ago, Jim Miner began an English as a Second Language program for undocumented residents to learn English. Eventually, those classes became the English Language Acquisition Program that offered English classes to non-English speakers under the umbrella of Volunteers for Literacy (VFL). Until this past spring, those classes were provided at the First Baptist Church of Cornelia.
This year, the program has relocated to the First Presbyterian Church in Cornelia and will begin classes on Tuesday, September 6th. Bordered by Mexican and Guatemalan grocery stores, VFL’s ELA program is now located closer to the heart of Cornelia’s Spanish-speaking community.
“This space is perfect for us,” says program director Charlise Rowley. “It has larger childcare space than we were accustomed to, so we’ll be able to divide the children who come with their parents by age groups.”
VFL provides free childcare during classes. The new space is unused, except on Sundays, simplifying logistics for when students are in the building. Plus, many of those who most need the classes live within walking distance of the church.
In the past, VFL provided transportation for learners. VFL executive director Phylecia Wilson explains, “We were given a bus some years ago, but it’s become a problem to keep it running. The church has offered us the use of their bus, and we’re hoping someone from the congregation will volunteer to drive it for us. But meanwhile, because most students will live so close, they’ll be able to get here.”
Wilson explains that most of their students’ families have only one vehicle, so providing their own transportation during the day is virtually impossible.
Jeronimo now works with the program, coordinating transportation routes and requests as well as teaching the beginning language students. When a bus is used, Lulu rides it, serving as a translator for drivers who can’t communicate with the students. She’s thrilled to be able to help other students the way she was helped.
Keeping it going
VFL relies on financial assistance from the United Way and money raised locally to provide free English classes to the community. Dollar General, a strong corporate contributor to literacy programs nationwide, supports VFL. A Dollar General grant this year made it possible for the agency to rehire Rowley as the ELA director and instructor.
Rowley taught in the program for five years before leaving to take care of her family. Now, two years later, she’s back. She has an education background and has found she prefers teaching adults. She is passionate about this work.
“I’ve found my calling in life,” she says.
Rowley keeps up with her students through social media long after they graduate. She is invested in their success. The Dollar General grant will pay her salary for one year and she will use that time to teach and prepare for the future.
“My goal is to train others to take my place,” she says. “If my funding doesn’t continue, I want to make sure volunteers are ready to step in.”
Currently, the program has three staff members. Rowley serves as director and lead instructor. Jeronimo serves as the transportation coordinator and teacher for beginning students. Margarita Gonzalez will provide childcare and work with the children to prepare them for school.
VFL has applied for a grant to start a preschool class for ages 3-5. The class would provide preschool education, not just childcare. The grant would pay for another teacher, with Gonzalez serving as assistant.
Discovering students’ special needs
Rowley has begun hearing from students interested in enrolling in the program that will begin at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, September 6.
“We’ve already heard from one student who is interested in completing GED work and then citizenship classes,” Rowley explains. “Others, we’re discovering, don’t know how to read or write in Spanish at all. We have volunteers who will be providing pre-literacy work in Spanish to get them ready to learn English.”
Rowley credits Wilson with the foresight to find trained volunteers in advance of discovering a need. “Phylecia has at least five retired educators who are available for GED work,” Rowley says. “Our goal is to find a need and then find a way to meet it.”
Wilson uses her position at VFL to focus on developing intergenerational literacy. During the English classes, parents, children, and teachers join together daily for lunch.
“That time with the babies and the children has become a learning time for all and a time of sharing stories,” says Wilson. “And if you’re really lucky, you’ll get to taste some of the most amazing food!”
Another need that emerged was helping students who are parents know what to do next when their children finish high school. VFL took them on a field trip to North Georgia Technical College in Clarkesville. During their visit, they learned about educational opportunities available to their children that they would not have known about otherwise. Some fifteen parents went on the outing.
In another instance, a Habersham County Health Department nurse visited the classes to explain why it’s important to get medical check-ups. The nurse also encouraged students to get COVID vaccines. According to Jeronimo, many of the students have.
Wilson points out that VFL’s ELA program is one of several ongoing English language classes in Habersham County. LiFT University meets at Habersham Central High School and provides an English language and civics course. That program, too, is supported by the United Way of Habersham County. VFL provides childcare.
North Georgia Technical College offers English classes to documented immigrants. Classes meet weekly from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at First Baptist Church in Cornelia.
For more information about the VFL ELA Program or to enroll, contact Volunteers for Literacy at (706) 949-3157 or Charlise Rowley at (706) 461-3637.
