Monticello Literacy Zone

Family Welcome Center

Ribbon Cutting

On December 7th, 2010, the Monticello Literacy Zone had a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Family Welcome Center. While the Literacy Zone has been serving clients since October 2009, we finally have a permanent location for the Family Welcome Center at the St. John Street Education Center, located at 22 St. John Street, Monticello, NY. 

Three students spoke about their educational journeys and how the Literacy Zone/Family Welcome Center assisted them in their success.  Rose Gatto is married with one son.  Even though Rose left school when she was in the 10th grade, she realized that education is a pathway to success in life.  Rose is now enrolled in the GED program as her first step on the pathway to success.  Agata Toledo worked in one of the local hotels for 25 years as a waitress.  However, after sustaining an injury she could no longer perform that type of manual labor.  She is pursuing her GED to help her find a suitable job.  Adela Caycho came to the United States from Peru.  She is married with two young boys.  Mrs. Caycho has participated in our ESL, Even Start and Citizenship programs.  The Family Welcome Center staff assisted Mrs. Caycho in applying to the local community college, where she is currently attending classes.  They also helped her develop her resume, as well as develop her interview skills.  Mrs. Caycho acquired employment with a local health care facility. She also obtained her citizenship, along with two other classmates, this past summer.

The Family Welcome Center partners with classroom teachers to provide workshops and guest speakers for Adult Basic Education/General Educational Development (GED) as well English for Speakers of Other Languages.  Some examples of workshops are:  Money Management (Bank of America); Financial Management (Jeff Bank); Immigrants’ Labor Rights (Bureau of Immigrant Worker’s Rights);Legal Services (Legal Services of the Hudson Valley); Nutrition Workshops (Eat Smart New York); and How’s your Wallet this Holiday? Tips for Holiday Savings (Cornell Cooperative Extension).

Additionally, Fidelis and Hudson Health are in the Family Welcome Center on a monthly basis to answer students’ questions concerning insurance as well as assist in completing the application for health insurance.  The Jeff Bank also has staff at the Family Welcome Center monthly.  Jeff Bank staff answers students’ financial questions.  Students can also begin the process of opening a bank account.

The staff at the Family Welcome Center has also partnered with Action Toward Independence on three (3) coat drives for students. 

Services provided by the Family Welcome Center include:  assisting clients in applying for Social Services Benefits; obtaining citizenship; obtaining employment; applying for college, including financial aid; resolving housing issues; and legal services.

Last March, the Family Welcome Center also sponsored two local VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) programs; the Monticello School District’s Academy of Finance students and Cornell Cooperative Extension, to assist our clients and students with their taxes.  Family Welcome Center staff also visited classrooms to discuss the importance of filing taxes and set up appointments with the VITA programs, who spent a day on site for tax preparation.   The VITA programs will be at the Family Welcome Center on March 7, 2011 for this year’s Tax Preparation Day.

On the horizon, the Family Welcome Center is working with Sullivan County Public Health Services to provide a vaccination drive and additional health education for our students.  We are also working with Catskill Regional Medical Center to educate students on a variety of options for health care services, including a variety of funding sources for routine medical tests. 

Literacy Zone staff has provided outreach to the community at a variety of events including: school district open houses, Chamber of Commerce events; and Bethel Woods Harvest Festival.

The Family Welcome Center provides orientation for all ESOL students as well as assisting teachers with pre- and post-tests.