BRIDGEPORT – Housatonic Community College announced today that Walmart has donated $53,000 as part of the company’s State Giving Program in order to continue improving the new ESL program, Stepping Stones to Language and Employment (SSLE).
“Walmart is pleased to support such an important organization that improves the lives of English language learners,” said Chris Buchanan, Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations at Walmart. “Housatonic Community College offers courses that develop listening and reading comprehension to help students gain confidence and proficiency in the use of English. The ESL program helps their non-native speakers of English students succeed academically and in their future careers and we are excited to help expand their program.”
Denise Bukovan, Dean of Community Outreach stated that, “in Housatonic Community College’s 11-town service region, there is a significant population, speaking about 52 languages, for whom English is a second language. The Stepping Stones to Language and Employment programs is an essential link that bridges citizens’ lives, through language, to their communities and their potential livelihoods. Walmart is a valued partner in that effort.”
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Housatonic Community College offers many support services responding to student and community needs including those students who use English as a second language. The ESL program utilizes the digital multimedia learning lab system available to students taking courses that help students learn and demonstrate mastery of skills. Their sensitivity to students of diverse backgrounds ensures that all students will receive an education appropriate to their specific needs to help them succeed academically and in their future careers.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to work together with Walmart on this most important project,” said Christopher Carollo, Director of Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the HCC Foundation. “This contribution will play an integral part to the Foundation’s ability to seek additional support and to be able to help the College fulfill its Continuing Education needs.”
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With Walmart’s generous donation, Housatonic Community College hopes to continue to grow and expand the Stepping Stones to Language and Employment Program, a part of their ESL program, in order to continue expertly educating their English language learning students.
About Housatonic Community College
Housatonic Community College works to empower all individuals to develop to their full potential. The college is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and colleges, Inc. and is an equal opportunity institution. Special support services respond to student and community needs including disabilities support services, career and transfer counseling, academic support and tutoring, library facilities, library facilities and instruction, English as a Second Language programming, and an array of student activities. Outreach to the local community is part of the mission of the college including non-credit courses, seminars, cultural events, and forums to respond to specific learning needs and to stimulate community dialogue. For more information about Housatonic Community College visit: http://www.hcc.commnet.edu/
About Walmart
Walmart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, more than 200 million customers and members visit our more than 10,500 stores under 69 banners in 27 countries and e-commerce websites in 10 countries. With fiscal year 2013 sales of approximately $466 billion, Walmart employs more than 2.2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://corporate.Walmart.com, on Facebook at http://facebook.com/Walmart and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Walmartnewsroom. Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.Walmart.com and http://www.samsclub.com.
