Imagine moving to a country where people speak a different language – one you can’t speak or understand. Now imagine being unable to purchase a home, find employment, or enroll your child in school because of this language barrier. These are the challenges that roughly 8.8%, or more than 40,000, York County residents face.
Thankfully, the York Literacy Institute (YLI) is dedicated to alleviating this barrier for immigrants, and YCCF’s Racial Equity Fund is proud to support their efforts.
Since 1976, the YLI has helped thousands of people improve their English-speaking and literacy skills through its English as a Second Language (ESL) class. In the last two years, enrollment has grown by 45 percent, indicating a need for increased support. Currently, YLI serves students speaking more than 15 different primary languages.
But ESL students aren’t just bettering themselves; they’re improving the lives of their entire families. Studies show that children in the care of English-speaking adults are more likely to succeed in school and break cycles of generational poverty. President & CEO of YLI, Jason McSherry, says, “Literacy is a key that opens doors to opportunity. Our ESL class is often the first step students take to pursue higher education, employment, and opportunities that help create a vibrant community.”
