• Extend the reach of teachers and curriculum beyond the classroom to learners for whom the classroom model for learning is less successful.
• Work with national partners to develop the optimal process and resources to enable and empower students to reach their goals.
• Reach out through local venues to benefit Functional Work English programs, Career Pathways and Workforce Development programs, GED students, and Citizenship class programming.
• Prepare and position Learner Web programming for expansion.

Hmong - An estimated 5,000 Hmong began arriving in Minnesota during the second half of 2004, due to the closing of Wat Tham Krabok, in Thailand. Approximately 3,700 of these arrivals are ultimately expected to settle in Ramsey County.

Somalis, Ethiopians, Oromo, and other Africans - Due to violence and political instability which plague their homelands, many African refugees continue to arrive in St. Paul from refugee camps, including Somalis and  Ethiopians/Oromos.

Burmese - Karen refugees from Burma have recently begun arriving in St. Paul. The number arriving is forecast to increase significantly over the next several months.

Concerned over the capacity of the adult literacy (ABE) system to meet the English language needs of the many new arrivals, SPCLC began work in mid-2004 on a successful multi-media campaign to recruit, train, and place 250 new volunteer tutors in member programs.

• 70 unanticipated refugees participated in intensive, work-oriented ELL classes; 47% achieved at least one NRS level gain.
• Students focused on mastering skills including food services, retail, and related work.
• Initial contact was established with 115 employers, allowing staff to assess their employee needs. 
• 58 unanticipated refugees participated in individual employment skills and job development with the job developer.

CLC responded by implementing Functional Work English, in partnership with Lifetrack Resources. Intensive ESL instruction helps students prepare for employment. SPCLC membersproviding FWE services include Hmong American Partnership, Ronald M. Hubbs Center for Lifelong Learning/Saint Paul Public Schools, MORE Multicultural School for Empowerment, and the Minnesota Literacy Council.

Several special Functional Work English projects have been created during the past several years. A professionally produced video, "Crossing the Next Bridge," was produced in Hmong to help Hmong public assistance recipients deal with their fears of learning English, and was updated in 2005. Mobile computer labs, including laptops which can be used both in agency classes and at worksites, are available at most sites.

• Is the first national standards-based assessment to provide a universal, transferable, national standard for work readiness.
• It was developed through a national process including business, labor, chambers of commerce, and state workforce investment boards.
• National sponsors include the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, National Governors’ Association, and several states.
• The Credential is designed to provide a crucial bridge between the needs of employers for skilled entry-level workers, and an emerging workforce needing skills and credentials to fill these positions.

Since 1997, SPCLC has responded to this increasing need for citizenship services through a special joint initiative with the Minnesota Literacy Council. A citizenship teacher teaches at several agencies in St. Paul, networks with other citizenship teachers and lawyers to stay current on changes in the citizenship process, and advocates for students. Classes help students prepare for the citizenship exam, as well as learn how to exercise the rights of citizenship and participate more fully in civic and community life.

Accomplishments include:

• In program year 2007, 50 SPCLC adult learners obtained their citizenship.
  
• A variety of citizenship materials and curricula have been produced and distributed through the process.

SPCLC is involved many other projects, including:

• The Adult Literacy Hotline, provided under contract with the Minnesota Literacy Council, provides accurate, personalized information for adult learners. Detailed information on all local literacy programs is maintained and frequently updated on specially designed software. Using this data, an Information and Referral Specialist is able to immediately access information on the nearest program which will meet the specific needs of each caller.