Citizens Bank Helps Learners Take Next Steps

Thanks to a $10,000 grant from the Citizens Bank Foundation, the students pictured below were able to take important next steps in their education.  Federal funding for Adult Basic Education only provides support through the high intermediate level. When the Citizens Bank Foundation learned that students at the Ludlow Area Adult Learning Center (LAALC) were requesting a more advanced class, they stepped up with funding; a terrific example of business supporting the community, especially during tough times. Cheryl Shattuck, branch manager at the Citizens Bank downtown Ludlow office, played a key role in creating this opportunity. The Regional Employment Board of Hampden County also helped bring LAALC and Citizens Bank Foundation together. Already at capacity on weekday evenings, LAALC sought a community partner to provide space, and found one in the Ludlow Public Schools, which invited the class to meet at the East Street Elementary School. Students, staff, friends, and family celebrated the completion of the class on Tuesday, April 7.

Pictured left to right:

Monica Ceccatto, instructor

Joanna Brown, HCC Alumni Association

Marineh Kirakosyan (Citizens Bank class, Russia)

Edyta Kolataj-Ramik (Citizens Bank class, Poland)

Norma Cabral, computer instructor

Kermit Dunkelberg, LAALC program coordinator

William F. Messner, president, Holyoke Community College

Anne Holbrook, program specialist, MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Scott Kelley, MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Eileen Candir

Serpil Durdu (Citizens Bank class, Turkey)

Ayberk Durdu (baby)

Dr. Theresa Kane, superintendent, Ludlow Public Schools

Seungwon Kim (LAALC student, South Korea)

Marcin Kupidura (Citizens Bank class, Poland)

Barbara Sosnowska (Citizens Bank class, Poland)

Peter Selin (Citizens Bank class, Russia)

Class members not pictured:

Anna Jasinska (Poland)

Andy Kaillola (Indonesia)

Leokadia Liebersbach (Poland)

Teresa Lucek-Kopka (Poland)

Nancy Valentin (Puerto Rico)

For more information about LAALC, contact Kermit Dunkelberg at kdunkelberg@hcc.edu or(413) 583-0320.

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