Cookies and Conversation A Recipe for English Language Learning Success Learning a new language can be a challenging journey, filled with the ups and downs of mastering pronunciation and grammar. Recently, 34 Bright Beginnings student parents participated in “Cookies and Conversation” with English-speaking staff members, donors, and volunteers - offering them a valuable opportunity to [...]
Leading the Path to Citizenship from the Front Clay Jones Clay Jones - veteran fighter pilot, retired CEO and Fortune 500 Corporate board member has taught citizenship preparation classes at Grace Place for the past six years. His story inspires us and his students. In 1967, facing uncertainty as a high school senior, Clay heeded [...]
Meet Dilia – A Lifelong Student DILIA’S STORY Adult Education at Grace Place is designed to promote family literacy and serve the general education needs of adults in Golden Gate. Dilia is one of those students. Nineteen years ago, Dilia left Chapas, Mexico, with her infant son after her husband passed away. An uncle living [...]
Diego Guillen Hernandez, age 38, came to the United States from Venezuela nearly three years ago with his wife, Marilyn, and two daughters, Maria, and Camila. In Venezuela, Diego was a college-educated computer engineer focusing on IT, where he worked for a big Brazilian company. Later he created his own small business, which he ran. [...]
Investing in your future is no easy task; sometimes, bills or other expenses can prevent you from achieving your goals. The hard decision to use the money for bills versus things that would help advance your career can be a very daunting task. Thankfully, MicroGrant has provided low-income individuals with an opportunity to apply for a grant [...]
We are pleased to announce our reopening for early childhood, youth and adult education summer programming. Grace Place summer programs include a nine-week Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) class which began on June 8, a six-week elementary and middle school summer program beginning June 15, a five-week virtual high school program beginning June 15, and a combination [...]
Dear Friends, Thank you for your patience during this unprecedented time of uncertainty and challenging circumstances. Like you, Grace Place is concerned about the spread of COVID-19, and we are doing everything we can to adapt our important work for students and families while protecting our community. As an organization, we have developed a plan [...]
And Sew It Begins The new school year is in full swing and our Bright Beginnings students are having fun in our new Sewing class! With help from our talented volunteers and donated sewing machines and fabric, our parents are learning the basics about sewing techniques, expanding their wardrobe, and most importantly, making [...]
It Truly is Independence Day Most Americans celebrate Independence Day with pie, barbecue, fireworks, and flags. For two of our students, as Americans this year, Independence Day meant so much more. Yanety Ramirez’s lengthy journey to American citizenship started in 2011 when she came from Cuba by way of Mexico. “I’ve [...]
Work Hard, Play Hard Throughout the month of February, the Bright Beginnings moms prepared homemade boxed lunches for staff and volunteers as a fundraiser for their end-of-year celebration. Week after week, the moms banded together, collaborated different menu items, and delegated different roles. Some bought ingredients, others prepared meals in their own kitchens, and [...]