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Programs

 

EDUCATIONAL EQUITY

The Swearer Center is building an approach to educational equity and opportunity that works with students and families across a continuum of time and through a combination of research, direct service, policy work, and advocacy. Our current programs provide the starting point for this effort:

Adult Learning

Resources

Literary Resources/RI
Literacy Resources / Rhode Island was established in 1997 to expand existing professional capacity within Rhode Island’s adult education community; increase educatiors’ and learners’ capacity to use and interact with on-line technology; and to assist in improving delivery of resources to adult learners, thereby strengthening adult education provision across the state. LR / RI’s work continues through the newly formed RI Professional Development Center; for more information about this center please contact: lrri@brown.edu.

Library
The Swearer Center's resource library contains information about fellowships, domestic and international learning opportunities, social justice, community development, health and well being, prisons, and pedagogy. Additionally, the library contains a wealth of materials for young readers and adult learners.

Olneyville ESOL

The Olneyville ESOL Program offers ESOL classes four evenings per week. The classes are held at the William D’Abate Elementary School / Olneyville Community School. Volunteers work with learners to encourage language and community development, and assist learners in meeting their self-defined goals. Coordinator: Jessica Wronowski
Contact: Jessica_Wronowski@brown.edu

Genesis Center Teacher Education

The Genesis ESOL program provides Brown students an opportunity to observe and reflect upon adult ESOL classes taught at the Genesis Center, and to enter into a process of learning about adult education teaching approaches, methodologies and philosophies.

Students observe classes weekly at the Genesis Center (once or twice), meet weekly with others in the group and with co-coordinators, and submit written reflections of their time at Genesis to coordinators. Over time, they take on responsibilities for classroom activity at Genesis, working with adult ESOL and literacy learners. Coordinator: Janet Isserlis
Contact: Janet_Isserlis@Brown.edu; Camilla_Hawthorne@brown.edu

Space in Prison foro the Arts and Creative Expression (SPACE)

Read the SPACE profile on IDEALIST.ORG

Space in Prison for the Arts and Creative Expression (SPACE), a partnership with the Women’s and Men’s Divisions of the Rhode Island Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI), works to create an entertaining and educational environment to explore creative writing, dance, movement song and theater with inmates and student volunteers. SPACE workshops are designed to encourage personal expression, confidence, and laughter. Workshop groups meet throughout the year focused on the forms cited above. Each group is facilitated by a team of two Brown volunteers. SPACE volunteers undergo an ambitious schedule of trainings throughout the year. Coordinators: Women’s Program, Ariel Werner; Men’s Program, Jonathan Coleman
Contact: Ariel_Werner@brown.edu; Jonathan_Coleman@brown.edu

Developmentally Disabled Literacy Program

The Developmentally Disabled Literacy Program pairs volunteer tutors from Brown University with developmentally disabled adults from the greater Providence community. Tutors and learners focus on developing social, literacy, and computer skills, with attention to individual needs. The program, founded in 1989, serves learners from group homes, sheltered work sites, and independent living centers. Coordinators: Vijay Narayan and Rudmila Rahman
Contact: Vijay_Narayan@brown.edu; Claire_Williams@brown.edu

Deaf Literacy Program

The Deaf Literacy Program, the only program of its kind in the state, offers classroom instruction in English literacy skills to adult learners who are Deaf or severely hard-of-hearing. Classes are conducted in American Sign Language, and team-taught by Deaf teachers. Signing volunteers provide additional support, as needed. The Deaf Literacy Program offers instruction at two levels: a basic/intermediate literacy class, and an advanced/pre-college class. The advanced/pre-college group has also produced The Deaf Connection, a newsletter of learner writings which is distributed to 35 agencies serving the Deaf community nationwide.
Contact: Janet_Isserlis@Brown.edu

Writer's Group

Writers' Groups offer developmentally disabled adults at Blackstone Valley Industries a forum to engage in creative writing and to practice literacy skills. The Writers' Groups encourage both developmentally disabled adults and Brown student volunteers to develop their personal creativity, critical thinking and communicative skills through creative writing workshops. The program strives to develop skills and support activities which enable participants to increase their independence and enhance the quality of their lives. Coordinators: Jessica Newman, Paramvir Sawhney
Contact: Jessica_Newman@brown.edu; Paramvir_Sawhney@brown.edu

Intergenerational Learning

MET Family Literacy Program

MET Family Literacy Program, a partnership with the Met School, offers classes two evenings per week to parents and children. Classes include ESOL, computer literacy, and Spanish language. Volunteers work with learners to encourage language and community development, and to assist learners in meeting their self-defined goals. Coordinator: Renee Ahlers (adult programs) and Daniela Aramayo (children's programs)
Contact: Jorge_Torres@brown.edu ; Jillian_Ressler@brown.edu