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Contact Information
Stephanie Wolter, Project SHINE Coordinator

315-859-4879 or 315-272-6021
315-859-4477 (fax)
Project SHINE

Our Community Partners

The Adult Learning Center at The Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees

309 Genesee Street
Utica, NY 13501
Phone: (315) 738-1083
Fax: (315) 738-1168
Website: www.mvrcr.org


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The Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees (MVRCR) is an organization dedicated to the well-being of immigrants and refugees in the Utica area. The MVRCR helps to foster a feeling of community among the refugee and immigrant population by teaching refugees practical life skills that enhance their ability to integrate into society. They offer services to help immigrants and refugees adapt into their new neighborhood, such as Resettlement, Immigration and Naturalization, English as a Second Language and employment, along with many others.

The Adult Learning Center works with Project SHINE in helping to educate these new arrivals through coaching and teaching both educational and cultural topics. The MVRCR works hard to provide refugees with the skills to build a new life in Utica, from the workplace to interacting in their community.

There is an on-site classroom where basic English skills are taught five days a week, twelve months a year by experience ESL teachers from the Utica City School District. Coaches work in these classrooms with instructors Shannon, Bethany, David, John, and Jennifer. Coaches work on a variety of topics ranging from beginning English (alphabet and phonics) to more advanced writing and speaking classes.

BOCES Utica ACCESS Site

508 Second Street
Utica, NY 13501
Phone: (315) 738-7300
Website: www.moboces.org

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BOCES is a statewide organization run by the state that allows school districts to save money by pooling resources with other school districts. Their program for BOCES Consortium of Continuing Education helps educate and train adults and prepare them for the future. Their classes help to educate refugees and immigrants through teaching basic English and also through job training courses.

In the morning and afternoon, Carola teaches two well-attended classes five days a week. An evening class is taught by Bob three days a week. Both afford coaches the opportunity to work one-on-one or in small groups of learners.

F.X. Matt Apartments

1790 Armory Drive
Utica, NY 13501
Phone: (315) 792-2048
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Through the Utica City School District, a classroom is made available in the Adult Education Building which offers classes to local residents for basic English and GED. Most of the learners are from Russia or Belarus. The class is small and setting relaxed, so if you want a truly personal experience, Matt Apartments is the place to be!


Mohawk Valley Latino Association

209 Genesee St, 2nd floor
Utica, NY 13501
Phone:738-1083 ext. 121
MOTIVATION*VISION*LATIN PRIDE*ATTITUDE
A 401(c) Non-profit, the Association's Mission is to improve the standard of living for the residents of the Mohawk Valley, through various services that will educate and empower those residents.  Services provided by MVLA include, but are not limited to job placement programs, after-school programs, healthcare assistance, cultural and community events, and immigration assistance.

A small tutoring class for both English and Citizenship began at the MVLA office in Spring of 2005 and quickly expanded to a teacher-supported class with funds from the Utica City School District and the help of the Adult Learning Center. This class meets 6-8pm on the second floor of the Refugee Center and affords an intimate setting and a chance for tutors to sharpen their tutoring skills and form lasting relationships.