2023 kicked off with a diverse programming roster that includes classes and groups for English for Speakers of Other Languages, family literacy programs, basic computer skills classes, and our new "Be WELL NRV" health literacy classes!
We are excited to have the opportunity to partner with organizations including Blacksburg Refugee Partnership, YMCA of Virginia Tech, and workplaces such as Virginia Tech Student Affairs, to reach and teach more local adults. We are so grateful to our local public libraries and faith-based organizations, including Christiansburg Presbyterian Church, Blacksburg Methodist Church, Lafayette Gospel Church, Pulaski's First United Methodist Church, and Blacksburg's Luther Memorial Church, who provide us with much needed space for our classes.
Thanks to the generous support of the Virginia State Office of Rural Health and the New River Health District, our new Be WELL NRV (Wellness for English Language Learners) classes have officially launched! In partnership with the YMCA at Virginia Tech, Be WELL Blacksburg began last month and includes English language instruction centered around topics such as describing symptoms to a doctor, reading and understanding medical and prescription instructions, asking questions to better understand diagnoses, and lifestyle changes for health improvement. Additional sessions will be held in Christiansburg and Pulaski later this spring.
Our Skill Up BRP program highlights our unique partnership with Blacksburg Refugee Partnership to provide group instruction for refugee families in our community. With a full schedule that includes 4 days of instruction per week, students are learning to speak, read, and better understand English to achieve their goals for communicating effectively in a new country. Instruction centers on learning everyday vocabulary and includes fun, hand-on activities - including "laundry day" to practice speaking and writing words used to describe clothing and household chores!
One-on-one and group tutoring continues as well, held in locations across the New River Valley as well as virtually. Volunteer Information Sessions are now held monthly and more than 30 new volunteers have already been trained this year! We offer experienced tutor training opportunities throughout the year, have beefed up the resources available on our website and in our resource room, and are happy to meet with tutors individually to talk about expanding your skills and resources. Contact Linda Jilk for more information.