New American Relief Program

According to the National Coalition for Literacy, roughly half of the U.S.’s adult immigrants report that they speak English “less than very well,” yet by 2030, nearly one in five U.S. workers will be an immigrant. Area adult learners are working hard to improve those numbers by participating in one of several English language and citizenship classes offered by Ardmore Literacy Leadership coalition members.

Ardmore Literacy Leadership is a non profit organization dedicated to finding opportunities to increase overall literacy and avenues for education throughout rural southern Oklahoma. As part of our outreach and educational programs, several members have developed programs for English language learners at all levels, and those tie into other programs providing child care, financial assistance and literacy programming, computer classes, high school equivalency and many other services, often at low or no cost to learners and their families.

The creation of the New American Relief Program fills an identified need: funding assistance for those applying for new or renewal residential status and citizenship.

Thanks to the generosity of the Wish You Well Foundation, a Virgina-based nonprofit supporting adult and family literacy in the United States by fostering new and promoting existing adult literacy and educational programs, local residents have additional assistance when it comes to the path to citizenship and green card renewal.

Participants 18 and older in any Ardmore Literacy Leadership program may be referred to the Citizenship Program through the Ardmore Public Library. Learners in that program will be eligible to apply for funding when needed for their applications for renewal and citizenship status.

Applications will be hosted on a private online form with the ability to translate via Google if needed. Paper applications will be made available on request.

Approved applications will be awarded for one-half the total amount required for the application being submitted to the Department of Homeland Security for citizenship or renewal. Learners in need of special consideration for additional funding may contact their referring program and/or the Citizenship Program and request that an exception be made on their behalf.

Adult learners who complete ELL and Citizenship classes are also invited to participate in ALL’s annual graduation ceremony each May.

For more information, contact Ari James by email at ari@ardmoreliteracyleadership.com or call/text 580-768-2942.