At a low-income housing development in White Center, determined students gathered in a stuffy YWCA computer lab to learn to answer questions such as what is the supreme law of the United States? When it came time to name the 13 original American colonies, the students teased and challenged each other until they came up with the answers.
On hand to assist when necessary were Miranda Bodfish, Citizenship Program coordinator for Literacy Source; and Diana Timpson, volunteer class assistant. The seven students, originally from Vietnam, Mexico, Morocco and Columbia, gather twice a week to improve their English and learn answers they need to succeed, for themselves and for their families, to attain their dreams of citizenship.
Offering citizenship classes around Seattle is only one program of Literacy Source, a community learning center located across the street from the Fremont Public Library, at 720 N. 35th St.
Begun over 20 years ago in the basement of St. John's Lutheran Church on Phinney Ridge, they started as a program of Washington Literacy offering classes in Adult Basic Education (ABE). In 1990 they moved to more spacious quarters, in the basement of the Greenwood Public Library.
In 2001, Literacy Source stepped out from under the umbrella of Washington Literacy and became their own non-profit 501(c)3. They also moved into their current offices in Fremont. According to Kyna Moser, Instructional Program coordinator, the move was hard for students at first but "being in Fremont, we have a lot of walk-in volunteers."
VOLUNTEERS, CONTRIBUTIONS ARE CRUCIAL
Literacy Source depends on volunteers. With only three full-time staff (out of a total of 17), volunteers are central to students' success. All they require of volunteers is the ability to speak English and to give time. The Literacy Network of Washington (Literacy NOW) provides their training.
The mission of Literacy Source is to build a literate community by providing learner centered instruction to adults. The ABE program aids math, reading, writing and/or computer skills to gain either a G.E.D. or high school diploma. Other Literacy Source programs include ESL instruction, work preparation training, jail tutoring and citizenship classes.
"We've been fortunate," Kyna admits. Donations, state and federal grant monies, and a fundraising breakfast held each spring, make the classes possible. Most importantly, volunteers give generously of their skills. Last year 240 volunteers helped 412 students who each received a minimum of eight hours of free instruction.
HOW IT WORKS
Some students find Literacy Source by referral and Web searches, but the majority come by word-of-mouth. "Once people know it is a safe environment that provides services," Miranda says, "they tell their friends and family about it."
Kyna admitted they have no problem finding students - except for their citizenship classes. Funded by the City of Seattle New Citizens Initiative, Literacy Source receives grant money based on the number of immigrants and refugees that successfully complete the citizenship process and are naturalized.
Some students start classes before beginning the long and difficult citizenship application process. After applying, and being fingerprinted, a background check is conducted. This paperwork can be delayed due to the applicant's past, government hang-ups in their country of origin or other people sharing their name.
After a completed background check, applicants receive notification of the date of their interview. Citizenship classes center almost entirely on preparing for this interview.
Conducted entirely in English, the interview includes 10 questions on U.S. history and government selected randomly by the interviewer from a prepared list of 100. To pass, an applicant must get six (60 percent) of the questions right. The interviewer then selects two sentences and the applicant must read one and write one in English.
If the applicant passes they receive a date for their naturalization ceremony. If they fail, they can return in the next 90 days to try again. If they fail again, they must reapply and start the whole process over again.
No one the Literacy Source has helped has failed their interview, according to Miranda, but some students will attend classes for a year, or two, to build their confidence before trying. Other students have come to classes "pre-literate," meaning they don't read and write in any language and must take instruction in basic English before taking the citizenship exam.
"I think it is really scary for people," Miranda explained about students she meets, "because I don't speak Spanish or Somali or one of the other languages we get here." Students at Literacy Source speak any of 48 different native languages; only 13 percent speak Spanish.
Students have come long distances, in most cases, for aid from Literacy Source - either in White Center or Fremont. It takes courage to attend, and determination to stay. With help though, students do learn the names of the 13 colonies and that the Constitution is the supreme law of the United States. Thanks to Literacy Source, students soon realize their dreams of citizenship, literacy and success.
Kirby Lindsay lives, works and revels in citizenship in Fremont. She welcomes your comments at fremont@oz.net.
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