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Hope United Methodist Church reports ELL program serving dozens in Bedford City
Summary
A church-led English-language program run in partnership with Esperanza and Bedford City Schools averaged about 55 adult learners per session, provided childcare and tutoring, and distributed donated hygiene and baby supplies, the presenter told the board.
Mister Johnson, speaking on behalf of Hope United Methodist Church, told the Bedford City Board of Education that the church’s six-week English Language Learner (ELL) pilot averaged 55 adults per session and included homework tutoring for school-age children and childcare for toddlers.
The program grew quickly after it began in April and drew community support, Johnson said. “We averaged 55 people at each session,” he said, and volunteers from the church — many of them parents from the Bedford City School District — served as trained teachers. Johnson told the board the program held a graduation ceremony for 29 adults who received certificates.
Johnson detailed donated support the program received: about $4,000 in hygiene supplies from Esperanza and roughly $3,500 in baby items from Sam’s Club, plus 200 children’s toys from Dollar Tree. He said those items were distributed to participants and added that food for group meals has been provided by volunteer cooks and families.
Board members asked how the summer sessions were structured and how frequently they meet. Johnson said the sessions continue on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m. to about 8:00 p.m., and identified transportation as the “greatest obstacle,” with volunteers driving participants to and from the church. He also said the district shared some of the summer costs and that the Hope Church grant covered roughly half of the initial payment for the current session.
Why it matters: Board members said the program fills an immediate need for English instruction, childcare and social supports for immigrant families in the district and praised the church and volunteers for their work. The presenter asked the board to note the program’s local impact — both educational and social — as the district considers continued support.
The board did not take formal action on the program at the meeting. The presenter offered to provide additional details on ongoing sessions and volunteer supports if the board requests them.
