The American Association of University Women's Ukiah chapter donated $600 to sponsor six English as a Second Language student book vouchers. Courtesy photo.

UKIAH, Calif. – The American Association of University Women's Ukiah chapter recently donated $600 to the Mendocino College Foundation to sponsor six English as a Second Language student book vouchers.

The $100 book vouchers are good in the Mendocino College Bookstore towards the purchase of textbooks and dictionaries.

“The growing English as a Second Language Program at Mendocino College serves an important need in our communities,” said Sarah Walsh, full-time ESL instructor at Mendocino College.

“Our ESL program is good for our students and for our communities,” Walsh said. “We are training an important segment of our workforce, providing them with the language skills they need to be successful in their lives.”

The college ESL program offers classes in Ukiah, Willits, Lakeport and Kelseyville.

In Ukiah, classes are not only offered on the college campus, but also at Grace Hudson Elementary School and at St. Mary’s School.

“By forging relationships with our community partners, we are better able to meet the needs of our students – we go to our students, offering classes that they can easily access,” said Walsh.

The program, headed by Walsh, offers courses at all levels, from beginning to advanced.

In each class, Mendocino College ESL instructors teach reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.

Beginning this year, when students complete the ESL program, they can receive a Mendocino College Certificate of Completion in ESL.

Since Walsh was hired in 2008, the ESL program has grown exponentially, and now serves over 500 students a year.

One of the recipients, Juan Manuel Martinez, stated that he came to Ukiah in 2000 and is married with two children.

“English is important to me because I have plans for the future. I want to speak with people, and I want to work in a bank or be a nurse in the future. Thank you for helping me,” said Martinez.

“The ESL book vouchers are a new program for the Foundation and we are pleased to provide support for the ESL community and would encourage donations or any type of support towards this worthy and exciting new program,” said Executive Director Katie Wojcieszak.

Contact the Foundation Office at 707-468-3164 for more information about this program.