Our Mission:
One to One Learning, Inc. is a not-for profit, incorporated, outreach organization, founded by the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary, Sparkill, New York. Our mission is to provide English classes and other supportive services for immigrants to empower them to reach their full potential and to lead meaningful lives within their communities. At day and evening designated sites, the volunteer teachers and director take a holistic approach in assisting students to achieve their individual objectives through small learning groups. This format encourages interaction that leads to building bridges of understanding between persons of different cultures. The organization serves Latino, Haitian and other immigrants of Rockland County and its environs in many ways that improve the general welfare of individuals as well as the community.
| |
Our Story:
In 1993, the Education Committee of the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill researched educational needs that did not fit within the traditional classroom setting. In 1994, a pilot program for teaching English was initiated to determine need. This included English instruction of our Haitian employees in Dominican Convent. Outreach in the local Latino community was established to develop a spirit of trust. One to One Learning began operating in February 1997. Dominican Sisters of Sparkill supported it through a ministry grant for the director, Sr. Cecilia La Pietra and a special project grant for start-up funds. During its thirteen-year history it has serviced over 3600 students on a part-time schedule of two days a week. Registration in the 2009-2010 school year ranged in the area of 300 students in 23 learning groups ranging from beginner to pre-GED in the evening classes and 10 daytime students. In February 2006, we began computer classes and have had twelve classes of 12-week sessions taking 100 students through basic computer, Internet, word processing, and key boarding.
| |
|
| Personnel and Volunteers:
During the past twelve years we have been able to accomplish this small group learning through the assistance of over 125 volunteer teachers. In 2007-2008, we had 50 volunteers, some of whom have been with us since the beginning. Volunteers include Dominican Sisters, students from St. Thomas Aquinas College,
Nyack High School, Regis High School, and members of local communities and parishes. Without their dedication, the program could not exist as it does.
Constituency and their impact on Rockland County:
Our students come from Sparkill, Piermont, Tappan, Nyack, Spring Valley, and other Rockland locations. Some come from Northvale and Norwood, New Jersey. Their countries of origin are El Salvador, Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala, other Central and South American countries, Haiti, and a few from Eastern Europe and Asia. Their ability to speak English leads to their advancement which impacts on the economy of Rockland County providing competent workers in landscaping, construction, culinary and staff in restaurants, health care, child-care, housekeeping, laundering and various occupations in factories. They provide a growing purchasing power and add tax dollars to Rockland. The census of 2000 showed an 8% growth in the population of Rockland and the increase was led by the Spanish speaking population that grew by more than 12,000 people then comprising 10% of Rockland’s total population -- a figure that was 6.7% in 1990. All indications show that the numbers are increasing and, as more immigrants gain residency and citizenship, this will also impact on the political scene.
|
|
|
Future:
There is a bumper sticker that says, “Expect a Miracle”. The fact that we have come so far in the past twelve years is a miracle in progress.
Now that we are here at Marydell we have the ability to register more students in the English classes. Our new location has enhanced the children's program because it now takes place in a separate building with many volunteers and a coordinator who plans creative activities. We look to the future when we might offer a day program for the children to prepare them for kindergarten. Our computer lab is available for classes as well as use by our English teachers with their students. One to One Learning has its office space on the property at Gate 2. It provides a space for our administrative tasks, as well as a place for guests to come to learn more about us. You are most welcome to come to visit. Training classes for new teachers and workshops take place there as well.
We have laid the foundation during these past twelve years with the assistance of Dominican Sisters of Sparkill and so many other benefactors. We are grateful to all and we continue to build on what we have started.
|
|
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Mr. Alex Aguilar, Ms. Yvonne Cherena, Mr. James Covell, Ms. Carol Davide, Mr. Paul Fitzpatrick, Ms. Betty Keyes, Mr. John Lawler, Sr. Ursula McGovern, Sr. Catherine Moran, Sr. Margaret Murphy, Sr. Nancy Richter, Mr. Gino Silvestri, Ms. Terry Siracusano
TRUSTEES:
Sr. Muriel Cooney, Sr. Lorraine La Rocca, Sr. Mary Murray, Sr. Mary Ann Summa, Sr. Meg Sweeney, Sr. Carolyn Wolfbauer
|
|
