Adult Education & Workforce Development Programs
ESL Program | Career Workshops | Computer Literacy Courses | Adult Literacy |
GED Program | LIFE Skills | Financial Literacy
The Adult Education & Workforce Development programs strive to provide individuals with the tools necessary for financial sustainability. The education programs offer small class sizes, individualized tutoring, access to computers, and employable skills. Whether it is a computer class, GED test prep class, English as a Second Language class, or a basic budgeting class, students are treated with dignity and respect and have full access to Bootstraps services.
Objectives
1. Recruit low-income students for classes.
2. Student to tutor ratio will be low.
3. Students will be offered individual tutoring as needed.
4. Students will gain skills applicable in the workforce.
5. Priority will be given to Beverly and Manchester families.
6. Students will be tested to document improvements and skill level.
7. Students will be asked to evaluate the program.
LIFE (Linking Information for Employment) Skills
Beverly Bootstraps Community Services and Salem CyberSpace work collaboratively to deliver an innovative program to provide low-income Beverly area residents with life skills to attain self-sufficiency and financial sustainability. This innovative program focuses on assisting participants conduct searches for adequate and affordable housing and employment, achieve financial literacy, improve computer skills, and enhance their self-confidence.
This six-week course is offered three days per week, three hours per day.
Topics to be covered: Computer Fundamentals, Email, MS Word, MS Excel, Career Planning and Interviewing, and Financial Literacy.
Next course begins in November 2009!
Please contact Greg Ezell, Outreach Coordinator for more information and application.
Workshop dates and times can be found on our calendar.
GED Test Prep Program
The General Educational Development (GED) program at Beverly Bootstraps Community Services provides high school level instruction in language arts, reading, social studies, science, and mathematics. Babysitting is offered free of charge to students who are unable to obtain baby-sitting on their own. Classes are held two times a week for 3 hours. Volunteer tutors are used in the program.
- The program to date has 23 individuals who have gone on to receive their High School equivalency diploma.
- Babysitting is offered free of charge to students who are unable to obtain childcare on their own.
- The GED classes at Beverly Bootstraps are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays evenings from 6pm to 9pm, Beverly Bootstraps offers free babysitting and early class hours.
The target population of our GED Test Prep Program is comprised of Beverly and Manchester area residents who are in need of their GED in order to improve their chances of getting a job beyond a minimum wage salary, or of getting ahead in their current job, especially in the current economy. Some are not able to attend classes offered by other agencies due to lack of babysitting and due to class size limits, which generate long wait lists.
Click here for GED Class Schedule.
ESL Program
(Presione aqui para informacion en espanol)
The ESL program offered at Beverly Bootstraps Community Services focuses on basic communication skills. The goal of the program is to help students understand and practice English grammar. Our aim is for students to become confident, accurate and fluent speakers and writers of English. Through the use of a grammar focused text/curriculum, students will learn to speak using correct grammar structures and will improve their level of comprehension of spoken and written English. Class time will be used to learn new structures, practice written and auditory skills and to practice conversational English. The pairing of controlled and communicative exercises will lead the students from knowing grammatical structures to using them in their everyday lives.
We are currently offering evening and daytime classes. The evening classes run on Monday and Wednesday nights from 6-8p.m and the daytime classes are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10-11:30a.m.
Evening classes are are grouped homogeneously by skill level and offers 3 groups - beginner, advanced beginner and intermediate. Each class can take up to 15 students and is led by a lead teacher and an assistant. Students are strongly encouraged to attend both nights.
Daytime classes are heterogeneously grouped and focus on 'everyday' American activities/experiences. The topic presented is the same for all students but the teacher expectations are modified for the individual students needs and ability. i.e. during a lesson on idioms, 1 student may be working on the meaning and use of the idiom in the work place while another student may be working on basic vocabulary and/or pronunciation. Class size is limited to 15 students.
ESL (English as a Second Language) Program began in 2006 with one class. In 2007, the program expanded and offers classes two evenings and two mornings a week. There are currently 52 students registered in the program. This program is taught by a dedicated group of volunteers.
Program Eligibility: Priority is given to Beverly & Manchester residents.
Program Cost: Course registration and attendance is free. There is a $15-$25 fee for supplies. Scholarships are available upon request.
Class dates can be found on our calendar. Please call 978-927-1561 for more information.
Career Workshop
The Career Workshop was established in the Fall of 2007. This program concentrates on preparing individuals to secure new employment or re-enter the workplace. Each workshop focuses on resume writing, employment goals, confidence building, networking, and fine-tuning their skill set for a desired job.
Every client that participates in the program is eligible to receive a clothing voucher to the Bootstraps thrift store Boots, Straps & More to purchase interview attire. A local hair stylist has offered services, and participants are eligible for an appointment for a free hair make-over.
Requirements: Priority is given to Beverly & Manchester residents. Candidates must fill out a questionnaire, make a full commitment to the program and attend the workshops on a regular basis and pursue job opportunities.
Workshop dates and times can be found on our calendar.
Computer Workshops
Computer Workshops, created this year, offers introductory workshops free of charge to adults. Priority is given to Beverly & Manchester residents. Space is limited to 8 participants.
Topics include:
Your PC and How it Works
File Management
- Internet 101
- Internet Security
- Social & Non-Social Networking and more.
Workshop dates and times can be found on our calendar.
Adult Literacy Program
The Adult Literacy Program provides individualized tutoring to adults using the Wilson Reading System. This program is designed for students who are reading and/or spelling below their expected level. The program focuses on decoding and encoding (spelling), it is combined with literature-based program for comprehension. Through the use of trained volunteer tutors, adults are paired with a tutor for 1:1 support. Participants remain in the program for as long as two years or more. There is a paid staff person who manages this program.
Financial Literacy
The Financial Literacy program strives to provide basic financial education related to banking, credit mana
gement and repair, financial planning and basic budgeting. In these difficult economic times, we understand the importance of understanding money management, finding ways to decrease expenses, finding ways to increase income and building a savings plan is crucial for financial survival. Raffles and snacks are provided at each class.
Financial Education Classes are offered free of charge to Beverly area residents.
Pre-registration is required. Please call Greg Ezell, Outreach Coordinator to register.
Click here for upcoming classes