LSA TO LAUNCH ON-SITE ESOL PROGRAMS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 21, 2018
For more information, contact:
Tom Lorello | tom.lorello@lsahome.org
Carrolee Moore | carrolee.moore@lsahome.org
LYNN SHELTER ASSOCIATION RECEIVES GRANT FROM THE JOHN H. AND H. NAOMI TOMFOHRDE FOUNDATION FOR ON-SITE ESOL PROGRAMS FOR HOMELESS FAMILIES IN SHELTER
LYNN – Lynn Shelter Association (LSA) has been awarded $14,000 by The John H. and H. Naomi Tomfohrde Foundation to implement new on-site ESOL Programs for Homeless Families in Shelter as part of a growing number of enrichment center offerings at LSA.
The average length of stay for homeless individuals living in LSA’s family shelters has risen from 9-12 months to 12-18 months, due in part to the high cost of housing in the region. These programs will ensure that LSA’s homeless immigrant and refugee clients will have their best chance at finding success and self-sufficiency in permanent housing. The project, along with the other enrichment programs offered at LSA, strives to provide all clients with experiences and opportunities that will expand their skills and knowledge, nurture self-worth, and enhance social skills – all geared toward maximizing their potential to live, work and participate in their communities.
“We are thrilled and grateful to the Tomfohrde Foundation for recognizing the challenges our homeless immigrant and refugee clients in shelter face and the importance of programs like ours that strive to support them on their path to self-sufficiency,” said Mark Evans, LSA Executive Director.
The John H. and H. Naomi Tomfohrde Foundation continues to prioritize funding for programs that address issues concerning “immigrants and refugees in Massachusetts [who] face monumental challenges including poverty, limited English language skills, low educational attainment, unemployment and often vast cultural differences.” LSA will collaborate with North Shore Community College to administer the programs.
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About Lynn Shelter Association The Lynn Shelter Association (LSA) believes every person deserves a place to call home. Our mission is to provide a safe environment for each individual to define and pursue their goals for independence and self-sufficiency. We provide shelter, supportive services, housings solutions and access to a continuum of community supports to individuals and families at risk for and experiencing homelessness. We serve over 1,000 individuals and families each year, including parenting youth (young adults ages 18-24 with children), children birth to 17, veterans, immigrants and refugees, individuals living with HIV/AIDS, and the chronically homeless.
The John H. and H. Naomi Tomfohrde Foundation The John H. and H. Naomi Tomfohrde Foundation gives to charitable purposes or to charitable organizations, with a particular focus on supporting the work of charitable institutions, organizations and agencies in the New England area and particularly in Greater Boston, which are dedicated to the cultural, social and civic betterment of the community and particularly which foster the advancement of higher education, the classic arts, scientific research in biomedicine and the improvement of community health. For more information, visit www.cybergrants.com/tomfohrde.