Glades Family Education

The Glades Family Education program serves adults and children from the Belle Glade, Pahokee, South Bay and Clewiston area.

Adults are taught to speak, read and write in English. In addition, our learners receive computer, parenting, cultural and life skills education along with health and basic financial literacy. Adults who attend the Glades program also receive career guidance.

2011-2012 Program Outcomes:

  • The program served a total of 124 adult students.
  • 91 percent of those tested made gains in one or more literacy skills including reading, listening and speaking.
  • 29 children were served at the Glades Family Education’s Early Childhood program.
  • 100 percent of the preschool aged children demonstrated improvement in their language, cognitive and early reading skills including print and phonological awareness.

PROGRAM IMPACT

When Elvira Calderon first came to the Glades Family Education Program (GFE), she knew no English. While Elvira was learning English as well as other literacy skills, two of her daughters attended the Coalition’s preschool class. Four years after her daughter Jasmine’s graduation from the program, she is now excelling in school in both reading and math. Viviana, who currently attends the GFE preschool, is quickly learning skills that will help her succeed in kindergarten.

The biggest impact this program has made on Elvira’s life, however, began when her first child was born deaf. Elvira enrolled in sign language classes but the teacher spoke only English. Elvira became even more determined to master English in order to be able to communicate with her child. Over the course of her studies at GFE, Elvira has moved from the lowest beginner class to the highest level class. Elvira hopes that her improved English will eventually allow her to go to school and work teaching deaf children. She has seen so much improvement in herself and her entire family that she invites her friends to come to this program so they too can improve their literacy skills.