Grantmakers in the News

December 1, 2007

The Dyson Foundation Awards Grants for Regional English as a Second Language Programs

As a response to the growing needs of immigrant and migrant families in the Mid-Hudson Valley, the Dyson Foundation has initiated a funding program for local English as a Second Language (ESL) programs. The grants were awarded to the Beacon Community Center, Poughkeepsie's Center of the Square, Hudson Area Association Library, the First Presbyterian Church of Millerton, and the Language Immersion Institute at the State University of New York at New Paltz. Each organization brings a unique perspective and methodology to its English language teaching (including a cooking program and an intensive university-based language course). The primary goal of the five programs is to offer adult learners the opportunity to learn English and thus become more integrated within their communities and increase their chances of finding jobs.

The Dyson Foundation grants provide three years of funding for English language classes for immigrant and migrant families. The grants are especially designed to provide families with assistance to overcome attendance barriers such as transportation and child care.

"Given the changing demographics of the Mid-Hudson Valley, and given the barriers that non- English speakers face, the Dyson Foundation felt it was important to support English language acquisition as a way of removing some of those barriers," said Michell Speight, director of programs at the Dyson Foundation. "We are very pleased to be awarding multi-year grants to these five organizations to help expand and enhance the availability of ESL programs in our region."

The Dyson Foundation is a private grantmaking institution established in 1957 and headquartered in Millbrook (Dutchess County), New York. The foundation's assets presently stand at approximately $337 million and in 2006 it awarded grants in excess of $18.4 million.

Source: Dyson Foundation Press Release: Foundation Funds Regional ‘Whole Family’ ESL Initiative Dyson Provides $735,000 to 5 English as Second Language Programs. (9/27/2007)