Adult Education

Our Adult Education Program has 20 years of experience in helping East Harlem residents improve their literacy skills, gain citizenship, increase their computer aptitude and achieve their educational and career goals. Since 1984, we have assisted more than 14,500 community members. We provide classes six days a week in ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), BENL (Basic Education in the Native Language), GED (General Education Diploma) preparation in English and Spanish, computer skills and citizenship.

Each year, we serve 1,100+ individuals with classes and at least 300 more with information and referrals. In addition to these services, we offer education and immigration counseling and workshops on health issues, taxes, legal concerns and financial literacy through our collaborations with such partners as the Community Law Office and the Union Settlement Federal Credit Union.

We are now in our 13th year of our Writing Through Reading Program, a highly successful collaboration with the 92nd Street Y, which helps students learn English by reading contemporary literature, enjoying visits from famous authors and producing their own creative writing. Further, the PEN American Center brings esteemed authors to visit our students as part of its Readers and Writers Program. We also hold several annual events, including our Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) Celebration and our fall Literature Festival.