July 22, 2024 |City of Lynn, City Services, Education, Lynn Public Schools, News, Resources

Providing a Pathway to success

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Pathways has been providing adult education and training in Lynn for more than 45 years. With the demand for English language classes increasing, the agency is expanding its scope, in partnership with the City.

Lynn provided Pathways with $50,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding that is supporting a new ESOL class (English for Speakers of Other Languages) for 15 young adults, age 17-24. The class, which started June 3 and runs for 35 weeks, meets three times a week for three hours at the Washington Elementary School. It is taught by a Pathways instructor and aide.

“As the city changes, we change,” said Pathways Executive Director Josh Shepherd. “There are more newcomers who have little or no English skills. We help young adults better integrate into the community, grow in their jobs and be ready for bigger, better opportunities. That helps them and it helps the city.”

“We understand the importance of this English-language training, which will provide valuable skills to a population eager to learn,” Mayor Jared C. Nicholson said. “The City is pleased to support Pathways in the important work it is doing.”

In addition to the class for adult learners, for the second straight summer Pathways is holding a class for unaccompanied minors who are preparing to enter Lynn Public Schools for the first time in the fall. In addition to English, the class includes instruction in practical skills that would be second nature for established students, but unfamiliar for newcomers. The class, which started July 8 and runs for eight weeks, is also three hours, three times a week.

“Lynn Public Schools is excited for this collaboration to address a visible need in the city,” said Deputy Superintendent of Schools Maricel Goris. “Washington Elementary is a community school and our intention is to offer resources that support the community. A sought-after resource in Lynn is access to English-language classes for youth ages 17-24. Increasing English-language fluency for this age group opens additional opportunities to training, college, and employment.”

“The need is staggering. With the adult classes, these are people who want to be here, want to work and they have ability. They need English and support. We help them get a better job, get into college or a training program.”

Pathways Executive Director Josh Shepherd

Pathways, which is primarily funded by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, offers 18 classes for adult learners throughout the academic year. The students come from more than 40 countries. Pathways has four levels of ESOL classes, as well as GED (General Education Development) and HiSET (High School Equivalency Test) classes. There were 64 graduates in the class that finished in June.

“Our goal is to get them into better jobs and careers,” Shepherd said, “good jobs with good pay and benefits.”

The above press release was submitted to us by Mayor Nicholson’s office.