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USCIS TRAINING FOR LCUP VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers from the Literacy Council of Upper Pinellas attended a training seminar for adult educators, directors, volunteers, and representatives from immigrant-serving organizations.? The seminar was offered by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, a division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, on September 13, 2018, in Tampa.

Instruction was designed to enhance the skills needed to teach U.S. history, civics, and the naturalization process to immigrant students and to administer a comprehensive adult citizenship education program.

Standing, from left: Sandra Reyes, Daise Castillo, Claudia Gonzalez, Vicky Obando, Gaye Staskiel, Pat Bauer; Seated: Eileen Smith, John Troesser

Free Citizenship Classes at Clearwater East Community Library

Claudia Gonzalez

The Clearwater East Community Library has restarted the Citizenship Class that had been on hiatus during the library’s move to its new location.

The meetings are held in the small study room
on the ground floor of the new
Clearwater East Community Library
on Mondays at 5:00 p.m.?

Started by Claudia Gonzalez in 2017, the class continues with John Troesser conducting drills on the 100 questions needed for the Naturalization test.? In addition to the questions, explanations are given so that attendees fully understand the history and civics behind the questions.

Within its limited run, there have been two “graduates” of the program, the latest being Flor Rodriguez who became a U.S. citizen on May 9, 2018.

In the past, the citizenship program has had guest speakers to address any questions.? The class has played host to a representative from Gulf Coast Legal Services and a non-profit organization that grants low-interest loans to prospective candidates to cover expenses and fees.? Now that the program has restarted, these invitations will go out again, and personnel from the Tampa USINS office will also be invited.

Mr. Troesser says he feels privileged to have been asked to participate in this citizenship class.? “Claudia does most of the heavy lifting,” he says.? “Keeping up with the students, updating their status and whereabouts is a Herculean task.”? Claudia has recommended several students to John for tutoring and according to John:? “She hasn’t sent a bad one yet.”? They have all been exceptional.

 

Adult Education Classes in Pinellas County

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The Conversation Classes and tutoring provided by the
Literacy Council of Upper Pinellas
are available at no cost.?

Other classes are available for a fee at the following locations:

Adult English Classes

$30.00 PER TERM

Learn English

  • For Work
  • For Education
  • For Family
  • For Survival
  • For Citizenship
  • For Enjoyment

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Clearwater Adult Education Center
540 S. Hercules Ave., Clearwater
(727) 469-4190

Dixie Hollins Adult Education Center
4940 62nd St. N., St. Petersburg
(727) 547-7872

Lakewood Community
1400 54th Ave. S, St. Petersburg
(727) 893-2955

Northeast Community
1717 54th Ave. N, St. Petersburg
(727) 570-3193

Palm Harbor Community
1900 Omaha St, Palm Harbor(
727) 669-1140

Tomlinson Adult Learning Center
296 Mirror Lake Dr. N, St. Petersburg
(727) 893-2723

?Immigration documents are not required to attend classes. ? ?

Become a Student – Become a Tutor