"Working with people who were eager to improve their English was very inspirational.  Their culture and their life experiences enlightened me and brought back memories of what it was like when I first arrived in the U.S." "It's been an inspiration to see how hard the learners work, and how far some of them have progressed.  These are adults who work 50-60 hour weeks, in many cases have children, and yet after a full day of work are alert and eager to progress in their English studies."


What are the Collaborative Programs?
In order to share our expertise and serve more immigrants, we work with a number of community-based organizations in different New York City neighborhoods. By bringing our Conversation Partner model to these organizations, we add an important component to their existing ESL programs. Volunteers provide individual attention and promote the confidence adults need to progress in English. Since 1999, these collaborations have helped spread the spirit of volunteerism and facilitate deeper connections between immigrants and Americans, resulting in stronger and more integrated communities. Read about a volunteer's experience at one of our Collaborative Programs.

If you are interested in implementing a Conversation Partner program at your organization, please contact our Collaborative Programs Department.


Now Recruiting for Fall 2008 Collaborative Programs!

Proposed PROGRAMS - Fall 2008
(all dates and times are tentative)

BROOKLYN                                                                                                                      

Arab-American Family Support Center (Cobble Hill: 150 Court St.) - Social service agency.
Work with Arab immigrants.
Possible daytime or evening program starting late October. Read more about this program.

BRONX                                                                                                                          

Mercy Center (Mott Haven: 377 E. 145th St.) - Community center.
Work with Latin American immigrants. 
Fridays, 9:30 - 11:30 AM, September 26 - December 5.  Read more about this program.

MANHATTAN

Hamilton-Madison House (Chinatown: 50 Madison St.) - Neighborhood settlement house.
Work with Chinese immigrants.
Tuesdays 6:30 - 7:45 PM. October 7 - December 16. Read more about this program.
- Program FULL

International Rescue Committee (Midtown: 122 E. 42nd St.) - Refugee relief organization.
Work with refugees and asylees.
Fridays, 12:30 - 1:30 PM. September 19 - December 12.  Read more about this program.
- Program FULL

Manhattan Comprehensive(East Village: 240 2nd Ave.) - Alternative day and night high school.
Work with teenage immigrants from different countries.
Thursdays 4:00 - 5:00pm. September 25 - December 4. Read more about this program.

Mid Manhattan Adult Learning Center (Harlem: 212 W. 120th St.) - NYCBOE adult education school.
Work with immigrants from Africa and Latin America.
Thursdays, 6:30 - 8:00 PM. October 2 - December 11. Read more about this program.

Union Settlement Association (East Harlem: 237 E. 104th St.)
Work with immigrants from Latin America who will take the citizenship exam.
Wednesdays 6:30 - 7:30 PM. October 8 - November 19. Read more about this program.

QUEENS

Asian-Americans for Equality Flushing (Flushing: 133-04 39th Ave) - Social service agency.
Conduct mock citizenship interviews with Asian immigrants who will take the citizenship exam.
Mondays 6:45 - 8:00pm. September 29 - November 24. Read more about this program.

Jacob Riis Settlement House (Astoria: 31-51 21st St.) - Neighborhood settlement house.
Work with Asian and Latin American immigrants.
Tuesdays 7:30 - 8:30pm. September 23 - December 2. Read more about this program.