Hanan Refugees Relief Group Embraces Innovation to Improve Student Outcomes
When the English as a Second Language (ESL) team at Hanan Refugees Relief Group was faced with a challenge, they knew they had only one choice: to meet it head on. In January, changes to funding and a halt in new refugee arrivals meant that the organization had to reevaluate their existing educational programs.
“We had to pivot and pivot quickly to continue serving people,” says Andrea Vodicka, a Community Engagement and Grants Manager at Hanan, a Milwaukee-based Wisconsin Literacy member agency.
Previously, Mankowski-Lathrum led an introductory, six-week English course for new arrivals, and then referred students to various local literacy partners. When arrivals stopped, Mankowski-Lathrum and Vodicka had to update their approach, ensuring that their clients still had access to important literacy services, and that Hanan was able to retain a client base. .
Now, Hanan, led by Mankowski-Lathrum, offer refresher classes open to refugees who have been in the United States for five years or less, as well as a hybrid ESL-Intensive course and expanding their ESL at-Home program where volunteers meet with students in their own homes. The in-home format gives those who aren’t able to attend onsite classes an opportunity to continue their learning.
These offerings, especially the hybrid courses, have proven effective at engaging learners and removing barriers. Hanan hosted a laptop distribution event recently, to equip students who may not have access to technology at home. After careful instruction from Wisconsin Literacy staff and collaboration on setting up the devices, six students now have their own laptops to attend classes virtually. “It’s providing additional accessibility,” Vodicka says.
Hanan’s partnership with Wisconsin Literacy, whose support includes opportunities like laptop distribution events, proved essential as Mankowski-Lathrum and Vodicka worked to reimagine the group’s ESL programs.
“One of the many things I love about Wisconsin Literacy is how the staff makes you feel,” Mankowski-Lathrum says. “You know that you can really work together, and you know that they’re there to respond to your needs.”
As the Hanan team continues to develop innovative educational opportunities for their client population, they remain focused on meeting learners where they are at, even – and especially – when it means getting creative.
