EDUCATION & RESOURCE CENTER
HELPING ALL ADULT LEARNERS SUCCEED
The May Dugan Center offers a spectrum of learning opportunities for adult students including test preparation (GED, HiSET, Accuplacer, Civil Service, ASVAB, TOEFL, and U.S. Citizenship), English language class for speakers of other languages (ESOL), college and vocational school entrance support, adult literacy, financial awareness, employment support, and personal enrichment. The Community Education program is free and accepts anyone ready to learn.
Each year, MDC’s Community Education program welcomes 250 individuals of all skill levels and educational backgrounds. Our educators create individualized lesson plans with each student. Students work at their own pace, one-on-one with one of the classroom teachers or volunteer tutors.
Our classroom is open five days a week, year-round, M-F 9:30 am - 12:30 pm and M-Th. 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm to allow for flexible scheduling. Registration is offered four days a week. There is no waiting period to join the program.
OUR APPROACH: TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE
The trauma-informed classroom is based on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)’s principles of Trauma-Informed Care. Our trauma-informed philosophy provides holistic support for each individual in an inclusive, caring, and supportive environment. We foster development of self-confidence, interpersonal skills, and the ability to self-advocate. In our program, students are able to remove barriers to their learning, pass standardized tests, find successful paths to college and training programs, build skills for self-sufficiency, like budgeting and financial planning, and improve professional communication skills in order to gain sustainable and permanent employment.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE CLASSES FOR SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES
May Dugan’s ESOL program is designed for immigrants and refugees who are interested in improving their English skills. Classes focus on speaking, writing, listening, reading, grammar and culture. The ESOL classroom is a diverse, welcoming community of students from across the world who speak a variety of native languages including Arabic, French, Khmer, Portuguese, Spanish, Turkish, Somali, and Igbo. All English language learners are welcome, regardless of skill level.
HOW TO ACCESS SERVICES
Intake/registration is open every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 10:00 am and Wednesday at 4:00 pm.
Registration usually takes between one and two hours.
If possible, please bring photo ID to intake.
Questions regarding intake or the registration process? Call our intake specialist, Jennifer, at 216-631-5800 x120
For More information on Intake, please click here
PROGRAM STAFF
Sarah Edelman, M.Ed., Director of Education
Jessi Brown, Lead Instructor
Robert Bivins, M.Ed., Classroom Instructor
Karin Hudson, ESOL and Classroom Instructor (Arabic and Spanish)
Elisa Bredendiek, M.Ed., ESOL Instructor (Arabic, French, German, Russian, and Spanish)
Tom Keane, Job Coach
Jennifer Reuter, BSW, Trauma-Informed Intake Coordinator
PROGRAM IMPACT
Every year, the Education & Resource Center makes a substantial impact in the lives of the people it sees. Last year the program:
Enrolled 281 people for adult education and workforce development
Assisted 62 job seekers in finding sustainable employment
Served 34 people through our English For Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Program
SUPPORTERS
The Education & Resource Center is supported by:
KeyBank Foundation
The Thomas White Foundation
Dollar General Foundation
Abington Foundation
Cyrus Eaton Foundation
Bruening Foundation
Reinbberger Foundation
Tegna Foundation
City of Cleveland-Community Development Block Grants
Ohio Attorney General's Office-Victims of Crime Act
United Way of Greater Cleveland