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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Julian Colón, Literacy Program Coordinator at Center for Family Life in Sunset Park
6:14:49
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143 sec
Julian Colón, representing the Center for Family Life in Sunset Park, appeals to the NYC Council Committee to maintain full funding for adult literacy initiatives. He emphasizes the importance of ESOL programs for immigrant communities and the high demand for these services in Sunset Park.
- Requests $16,500,000 in discretionary funding for adult literacy initiative and adult literacy pilot project
- Highlights the critical role of ESOL classes in helping immigrants pursue professional goals, citizenship, and better communication with their children
- Emphasizes the ongoing need for language education services, with thousands on the waiting list for ESOL classes
Julian Colón
6:14:49
Good afternoon Chair Aviles and distinguished members of the New York City Council Committee.
6:14:54
My name is Julian Colom and I'm a literacy program coordinator and ESOL teacher at the Center for Family Life in Sunset Park also known as CFL.
6:15:03
I'm here today to call on city council to maintain the full amount of $16,500,000 of discretionary funding for adult literacy initiative and adult literacy pilot project.
6:15:15
Over the past four years, serving the immigrant community of New York City has been an honor and a privilege.
6:15:21
I've been fortunate enough to have the hardest working most dedicated students in my classroom.
6:15:27
Whether to pursue new professional ventures, return to school and complete a degree, prepare for the citizenship exam or simply develop better communication skills to connect with their children.
6:15:38
The individuals who have gathered at CFL all arrive with a drive and sense of perseverance that is nothing short of inspiring.
6:15:45
Eager to learn and share their culture and experiences, these students continue to inspire me on a daily basis and inform my teaching.
6:15:54
They remind me every day why I do what I do and that it is never too late to pursue your dreams regardless of who you are or where you come from.
6:16:02
We are truly grateful that the New York City Council provided us with the necessary resources to rescue our ESOL program after a 24% reduction of DYCD's adult literacy program from their previous procurement.
6:16:16
As Sunset Park has the third highest concentration of individuals with limited English language proficiency in New York City, your support has allowed me to continue classes in our high need area.
6:16:28
This need hasn't gone away.
6:16:30
We estimate that our ESOL waiting list is in the thousands and interest has remained steady even in the face of xenophobic federal policies.
6:16:39
Thank you for partnering with us in this fight to protect adult education classes such as mine that take place across the city each day that enrich, educate, and nurture those seeking a better life in The United States.
6:16:51
Those of us within the field of language education particularly within the nonprofit sector view language education not as a commodity but as an essential service that should be available to all.
6:17:01
With your efforts, we can continue to provide these services to those who need them the most who would otherwise not have access to such resources nor the opportunity to realize their full potential.
6:17:12
Thank you.