SOCIAL4GOOD PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS<br>TO ADULT ENGLISH-LANGUAGE LEARNERS
By Sarah Shamlal
In Fairfax County, the cost of living is high and employers demand English language proficiency. Literacy is critical to economic self-sufficiency. Almost 40% of Fairfax County residents speak
a language other than English at home and 14% of Fairfax County residents struggle with the English language.
This month, contributions from Social4Good (S4G) members provided scholarships for adult students and
supported the English Empowerment Center’s vision of a community empowered by the ability to read,
write, speak, and understand English.
The organization raised over $4,000 to provide 40 full scholarships to eligible adults.
For the past 60 years, the English Empowerment Center (EEC, englishempowermentcenter.org), formerly the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia, has served adult learners of English. EEC currently serves more than 1,500 adult English language
learners from 95 different countries who speak 50 different languages. Their training is delivered both in person and online. Students have the ability to improve their English speaking, reading, writing, and comprehension skills, empowering them to change their lives and the lives of their families.
The S4G Social was held on 31 January at the EEC Center in Falls Church, VA where members learned about adult literacy initiatives and volunteer opportunities, in addition to meeting with teachers and staff. Members signed up to deliver course materials
to more than 70 EEC students which helped to eliminate the cost of postage for the Center and saved the adult learners a trip to the Center.
“The English Empowerment Center is only able to provide instruction to adult English learners at an affordable rate of $85 per semester (which includes books, assessments, and additional supplemental services) through fostering a diverse group of supporters, focusing on cost efficiencies, leveraging community partnerships, and the contributions of volunteers. We thank
Social4Good for bringing many of these components together to benefit our learners — by raising $4,175 for our student scholarship fund, distributing 72 packets of textbooks and supplies to new learners enrolled in our virtual classes this semester, and learning about our services to help inform others about the transformative impact of what we do. The English Empowerment Center is grateful for your service and dedication to our community!” Amy Tristan, EEC Volunteer and Outreach Manager S4G is an all-volunteer, grassroots organization that brings together engaged women who want to meet new people and support the
organizations that make our community strong. Each month, this column will highlight S4G’s monthly project to raise awareness on critical needs in our community and local nonprofits making a difference.
To learn more about S4G or to contribute to support local nonprofits, visit www.Social4Goodevents.org
