“When the world is at its best, when we are at our best, when life feels fullest, one and one equals three,“ says Bruce Springsteen in his intro to Tenth Avenue Freeze Out. The proof of Springsteen’s wisdom rings true in a new partnership between UIDN and the Ulster Literacy Association (ULA). By combining forces, UIDN and ULA are creating a new way for local immigrants to learn or improve their English language skills.

Based in Kingston, Ulster Literacy Association has been offering free, one-on-one English language tutoring for more than 40 years. Now, thanks to the new partnership, immigrants will benefit from easy access to ULA tutoring, and UIDN volunteers will enjoy a direct path to ULA training and expertise. “We already have about ten people interested,” says UIDN caseworker Daniel Woodham. “We expect more demand as word spreads.”

The basic idea is that, through its network of links to immigrant communities, UIDN will steer immigrants who want to improve their English and volunteers who want to teach them into ULA’s proven tutoring programs. “It’s a partnership made in heaven. We have the person power, and ULA has the knowhow for training tutors and monitoring progress,” explains UIDN volunteer Diana Shapiro. The partnership is being built and nurtured by Diana and fellow volunteer Josh Brooks. ULA trains volunteers, supplies tutoring plans and materials, and provides the means to track progress.

The logos of UIDN and the Ulster Literacy Association.

Volunteers who sign up as tutors will undergo ULA’s 12-hour on-line training. The only qualification is fluency in English; no foreign language skills are required. Once trained, volunteers are expected to contribute one hour per week of their time over a one-year period. The timing and location are up to the tutor and student. It could be at a library or any mutually agreed location. The student’s native langue does not matter. “It’s open to everyone,” Diana adds.

Learning English serves many purposes; it makes people feel that they are part of the community, it helps job prospects, it helps parents better understand their children, it helps people navigate various bureaucracies from things such as insurance, the Department of Motor Vehicles, and immigration authorities. “And, in case of an unfortunate encounter with ICE, knowing English can only be a help,” she notes.

Want to volunteer? Email Debi at uidn@ulsterimmigrantdefensenetwork.org.