The Community Education Newsletter
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May Your New Year be Filled with Hope, Love, & Happiness
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Tim Talk
IU13 Community Education Program Director
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I’d like to thank the Lancaster city Mayor, Danene Sorace, for taking an hour to meet with Swahili-speaking new Americans earlier this month. Loice Byler, IU13 Community Education’s Swahili-speaking Cultural Navigator, arranged the meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to advocate for the needs of Swahili-speaking individuals living in Lancaster. The Mayor was highly responsive and indicated a desire to do everything possible to make Lancaster city a welcoming place for new Americans. This meeting with the Mayor was just one example of IU13 Community Education’s commitment to building partnerships to transform lives.
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Before signing up for GED classes at IU13, former student, Lydia (pictured, left), didn't know what to expect. She had been away from school so long that she wasn’t sure if she would be successful. When asked, Lydia said, “It was hard for me to sign up for something that I didn't know if I could do. I wasn't sure how they would treat me if I struggled to learn the material. I was surprised to find that if I worked at it, I understood the concepts each class taught me.”
When it came to each course, Lydia had a difficult time with math. It was here she met her teacher, Tiffany Silveira (pictured, right), who helped her every step of the way, explaining each problem and equation until she grasped it.
Lydia graduated from the GED program at IU13 in 2016. With the aid of her IU13 advisor, Karen Zeiset, she signed up for General Education classes at HACC. Four years later, in December of 2020 Lydia graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Millersville University. She is currently pursuing options to get her master’s degree in the same field. in Social Work.
“You can discover your dreams like I did,” Lydia expressed when asked to share her testimony, “but the first step is getting the help you need. Yes, you will need to work at it, show up for class, and do the assignments, but when you’re willing to put the work in, you will succeed. The teachers go above and beyond to help. I couldn't be where I am today in my educational journey without the help of the wonderful teachers and advisors at IU13.”
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During the holidays, IU13 celebrated 6 students that graduated from Jill Neuman’s Direct Care Providers class. This class trains and prepares students to pursue a career in healthcare, whether in a group home, or in a home health, or long-term care facility.
Jill and her class celebrated with caps and gowns, handing out certificates of completion, and a slideshow showing their progress from the first day of class to graduation. There was plenty of laughter as they reflected on their journey and all they had achieved.
Congratulations to Watum, Muhammed, Carole, Fitina, Carline, and Unwaga. Best wishes as you pursue the next step of your career.
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Before the Holiday break, Nora Lubecki’s English as a Second Language class held a graduation ceremony, celebrating the student’s accomplishments and improvements. Many of her students not only advanced to the next level of ESL, they advanced two or three levels higher.
During their celebration, they partook in a cultural meal the students prepared themselves, as well as voting for class awards in categories such as the funniest and sweetest student. Congratulations to all for their hard-earned achievements and advancements in English
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When asked what they liked about Community Education classes, students responded:
“The unity we have as a group.”
“My teacher makes it fun to learn.”
“My teacher is supportive and always willing to go above and beyond for [her] students.”
“The class is dynamic and helpful.”
“My teacher doesn’t judge and encourages me to be my best self.”
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Over 94% of English as a Second Language (ESL) students over the past year have stated that they always enjoy their teacher, are encouraged to learn, and are prepared to reach their goals.
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Learn more about IU13 Community Education classes:
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IU13 Community Education is developing plans to move its High School Equivalency classes, currently located at Liberty Place, and English as a Second Language classes, currently located at Bright Side Opportunities Center, to IU13’s main headquarters at Burle. This merge will allow IU13 to better work collaboratively with all of the programs. More information will be available as plans solidify.
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IU13 Community Education provides a wide variety of daytime and evening educational and supportive services to adults in Lancaster and Lebanon counties.
Click on the links below or call us at 717-606-1708 for more information.
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English as a Second Language
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GED | HiSET test prep classes
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Must be a United States Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) to enroll in classes
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ESL or HSE classes for parents of children between birth-3rd grade
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ESL classes with civics instruction and placement into job training programs
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Workforce Preparation Classes
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Administration Support Professional
Basic Computer Skills
Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)
Direct Care Provider Certificate
Teacher Assistant (Special Education)
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Services and Supports Include:
Paid Internships, Assistance in Seeking Employment, Training for Certification, Supportive Services, and more!
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**Youth must meet income and eligibility requirements.
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Bilingual cultural navigators connect children and adults with social, educational, and medical services in the community
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*IU13 Community Education classes and services provided directly by IU13 staff are free with limited exceptions. Additional services/tests provided by our partner providers may have costs. Please contact us with any questions.
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Contact Information:
For more information about Community Education visit our website
or call
Lancaster: 717-606-1708
Lebanon: 717-450-1525
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