Hi Friends!

I'm raising funds to provide free online ESL classes to folks looking to learn English as a second language. I taught 3rd and 2nd grade for 12 years at a public school in Oakland's Fruitvale district called Learning Without Limits. I'm still in contact with this community and have found there is a need for ESL classes with the financial barriers removed.

Last August, I got a job as an ESL instructor for in person classes provided free to the community. These classes were made available through Family Laundry , a social justice minded for-profit laundromat and wash and fold service based in Oakland. I was compensated generously for my time through a grant made possible by Libraries Without Borders . Unfortunately, these classes came to an end due to the COVID outbreak. I saw first hand how free ESL classes can positively impact a community. 

I feel eager to renew these efforts.

I’ve set a donation goal that would compensate me for my time, expertise, and student recruitment efforts at half the rate I was paid last year.

Why not do this entirely on a volunteer basis? I’ve considered it. But my time is limited and that option would require me to seek other employment thus using up my availability.

Please consider joining me in changing people’s lives. Helping others learn English not only provides them with more job opportunities, it helps break down one of the barriers that keeps our society separated. There are countless other benefits as well in learning another language. 

My goal is to raise funds to pay for three months worth of weekly one hour online sessions.  If money is raised beyond the goal, I will extend the number of free classes offered, and keep my rate the same. 

Donors will receive a personalized video or letter from a student using their new English skills. 

I hope you can join us in this endeavor. Any amount counts. And thank you for your time.