Friendship Community Project
Donation protected
In the summer of 2015, five former Kirkwood Community College English language instructors started Friendship Community Project to help the many foreign-born adults in the Iowa City area who need to learn the English language. Our program also provides a number of services to help participants adjust to the community, and make new friends.
We began with five levels of English language and life-skills classes, and recently added a conversation group, along with presentations on special topics such as identity theft, credit scores and domestic violence. these presentations provide a place where people feel safe to ask questions or ask for help. We served 158 students in our first year and have an ever-growing group of enthusiastic volunteers to assist our teachers, register students, help with translation, and aid students with everything from job searches to finding low-cost winter coats in cold weather.
We have partnered with local organizations including the Iowa City Community School District, Iowa City Compassion, Center for Worker Justice, Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County, Veridian Credit Union, and the Domestic Violence Intervention Program to educate and assist our students.
The Good News Bible Church in Iowa City is providing our classroom space, and we have been grateful for the support of Hills Bank and Trust and the University of Iowa Community Credit Union as well as a group of individual donors who have helped us get off the ground. However, we are still in great need of operating funds for rent of classroom space, a full collection of textbooks, printer ink, several laptop computers, classroom supplies, and honoraria to help us retain a director and qualified teachers.
Our staff as well as our students are so grateful for every dollar we can earn to keep this program free for students, most of whom are low-income and struggling to find good jobs with limited English skills. Our donors can feel good knowing that they are helping people who are trying so hard to succeed and contribute to their new community, despite so many obstacles. By donating, you can help us maintain and improve this program, and in turn, to benefit our whole community.
We began with five levels of English language and life-skills classes, and recently added a conversation group, along with presentations on special topics such as identity theft, credit scores and domestic violence. these presentations provide a place where people feel safe to ask questions or ask for help. We served 158 students in our first year and have an ever-growing group of enthusiastic volunteers to assist our teachers, register students, help with translation, and aid students with everything from job searches to finding low-cost winter coats in cold weather.
We have partnered with local organizations including the Iowa City Community School District, Iowa City Compassion, Center for Worker Justice, Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County, Veridian Credit Union, and the Domestic Violence Intervention Program to educate and assist our students.
The Good News Bible Church in Iowa City is providing our classroom space, and we have been grateful for the support of Hills Bank and Trust and the University of Iowa Community Credit Union as well as a group of individual donors who have helped us get off the ground. However, we are still in great need of operating funds for rent of classroom space, a full collection of textbooks, printer ink, several laptop computers, classroom supplies, and honoraria to help us retain a director and qualified teachers.
Our staff as well as our students are so grateful for every dollar we can earn to keep this program free for students, most of whom are low-income and struggling to find good jobs with limited English skills. Our donors can feel good knowing that they are helping people who are trying so hard to succeed and contribute to their new community, despite so many obstacles. By donating, you can help us maintain and improve this program, and in turn, to benefit our whole community.
Organizer
Susan Prepejchal
Organizer
Iowa City, IA
