Agency Details:

Novato Community of Christ

The church's mission is to proclaim Jesus Christ and promote communities of joy, hope, love, and peace.

As a part of creating community, one of the outreach goals of the Novato Community of Christ is to provide instruction in English for immigrant adults in a way that supports the needs of families and involves volunteers from the community.

Description:
The motto of the congregation is "In to faith, out to community." While the congregation's worship life seeks to deepen the spiritual life of individuals, that life together is hollow without living out that faith in the community. One outreach ministry of the congregation is the teaching of English and support for the development of immigrant children.

Adults learn English on Thursday nights from 7-8:30 p.m. The three levels of classes are taught by experienced teachers who are assisted by volunteers. A Homework Club for children ages 8-12 provides a low student/tutor ratio and is staffed by volunteers from the church and community. Younger children, ages 4-7, attend an early literacy class taught by a paid teacher and volunteers. Children in kindergarten and first/second grade receive one-on-one assistance with reading and math by volunteer tutors. All participants take time for snacks and fellowship during the evening.

History:
Images of the peaceable kingdom of God have been important to members of the Community of Christ since its origins as a denomination in the early nineteenth century. The congregation is committed to seeing this peaceable kingdom lived out through concrete community involvement.

The ESL program was started in 2001 to address the lack of communication between immigrants and other residents of the Loma Verde Neighborhood around the church. It has evolved to be a place where immigrants can meet friends and find support as they adapt to a new environment that is not always welcoming. In addition, adults from the community and teens from local high schools have joined the church in this teaching and learning endeavor. Together, participants create a space where language, traditions, and daily challenges are shared, resulting in mutual appreciation.

Contact people:

Janet Irby, (phone), (email) Karen Ardito, (phone), (email) Elena Romero, (phone), (email)

Main office number: (415) 883-4707

Address:

375 Calle Arboleda Novato, CA 94949 (See a map)

Web Site: None specified

Last updated on August 25, 2009