Regular readers of this blog are familiar with our school’s Family Literacy Project where we provide computers and home Internet access to immigrant families. This effort, as well as our after-school ESL Computer Lab, has been recognized by the International Reading Association.

Now the concept is expanding.

The Sacramento Mutual Housing Association
(SMHA), one of the most respected affordable housing organizations in California (if not in the United States), is piloting a similar project in one of their developments.

They are hiring the bilingual aides who help in our school’s project to work with their immigrant residents to lead a on-site computer and English literacy program at the development’s computer lab.  Graduates of the program will then receive their own computer and be able to use the wireless network at the site.  English “homework” assignments will be similar to what present participants are required to do.

SMHA expects to provide forty home computers over the next year to families, with two household members from each family graduating from the training program.

I’ll write posts updating how the program progresses.