Have you ever had trouble communicating with a bank teller or an employee at your local supermarket? This is a barrier that is causing a rift in Waltham because it is so welcoming to people for all counties and cultures. However, there is an organization that has been established to fix this very problem: The Power Program, which provides adult immigrants with ESOL, GED and citizenship classes. The program is working to help those in need to learn to speak English and get established in their new country.
I am writing a grant for the program to hopefully help them acquire the funds needed to function properly and teach some of the 200-plus applicants on the waiting list.
The students mentioned how welcoming Waltham is. I asked why Waltham? Why not Boston? They said Waltham has a city feel. They also felt very welcomed, being part of the minority into this warm town.
It was moving to speak with the students and then with the teachers and faculty. I spoke with one student who had come to this country with no prior knowledge of the English language. She has been in the program for four years and is in the advanced ESOL class. When I talked with her, she spoke near-perfect English. This program is making a tremendous impact on its community, with little recognition.
I am hopeful this program will receive the help it needs financially as well as the needed volunteers.
I am writing to ask you to be more understanding of those not yet familiar with our language. We should feel privileged they adore our country so much they choose to move here and start over.
CHRISTINE FARRELL,
Bentley College, Waltham
