Deputy Mayor for Education and Community Development Dennis Walcott, Executive Director of Adult Education Anthony Tassi, and Commissioner of Immigrant Affairs Fatima Shama, along with representatives from the Department of Education and Workforce Investment Board visited the Center for Family Life to Celebrate National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week.

The Center for Family Life is a neighborhood-based family and social organization in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. With a grant from the Mayor’s Office of Adult Education, the Center developed contextualized ESOL curricula for their women-owned and run business cooperatives. These are carried out in safe and healthy environments, and promote social support and educational opportunities for its members. The cooperative businesses provide eco-friendly housecleaning services; babysitting and childcare; interior painting; and catering and cooking lessons.

The Center is part of the Sunset Park Alliance, a network of community-based organizations that share resources for the benefit of adult learners. With the support and collaboration of the Mayor’s Office of Adult Education, the Sunset Park Alliance has seen a number of successful outcomes:

• Created 226 additional Pre-GED and GED slots through funding from the Mayor’s Office of Adult Education
• Leveraged public funding that led to the continued private funding of the CFL/SBIDC project sponsored by the Mayor’s Office of Adult Education; one of the  ESOL teachers was hired at a private workplace to continue teaching English to employees
• Awarded Literacy Zone grant through New York State; grant facilitated through Turning Point
• AmeriCorps–Community Allies created through a SPA grant facilitated by Lutheran places 20 members at partner agencies
• Training and technical assistance provided to teachers by Staff Developer paid through Mayor’s Office of Adult Education
• Case managers have received additional training and professional development by SPA coordinated trainings

Additionally, thirteen organizations in the Alliance have sponsored We Are New York conversation groups, helping hundreds of community members improve their English and learn about helpful City services.

In recognition of National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, and the Alliance’s excellent work and dedication, Deputy Mayor Walcott presented a proclamation from Mayor Bloomberg declaring September 16, 2010 as “Sunset Park Alliance Day.”