Elena's Light

Program Overview

ESL Courses

EsL is our our one-on-one English as a second language tutoring program. It was purposefully designed with accessibility in mind: classes are 100% free to clients, offer flexible scheduling options, and are conveniently offered in the comfort of the client's home.

Our ESL curriculum is customizable based on each client's individual needs and goals. We focus on "practical" and "working" ESL skills, preparing clients to embrace their independence and feel comfortable navigating their new home communities. A unique focus of our program is CT DMV Driver's License Examination preparation, freeing clients from the constraints of unreliable public transport.

EL Health with Y-HEALAR

This program is made possible thanks to the generosity of the Blossom Hill Foundation and our community partner, Y-HEALAR.

EL Health is an interactive in-home health education program taught by licensed health professionals at the Yale New Haven Health System. Our health education program focuses on addressing the many barriers to healthcare for refugee and immigrant populations. Our goals are to increse health literacy, encourage patient autonomy, and help clients practice good health behavior. Interpreters are provided to ensure client understanding of the teachings, and as always, classes are 100% free of charge.

EL Child Wellness Program

The EL Child Wellness Program is a new program created specifically to address the needs of elementary and middle school children resettled from Afghanistan and Iraq in New Haven County, CT. A 2020 Summer Pilot program will inform the curriculum and format for year round wellness initiatives supporting the social-emotional-cognitive wellbeing of this cohort of children. The program will incorporate evidenced based, culturally and trauma informed curriculum and exercises.

EL Community

This program is made possible thanks to the generosity of the Blossom Hill Foundation.

At Elena's Light, we have always taken great pride in fostering the development of cross-cultural friendships between our clients and volunteers. Inspired by the meaningful relationships we have built over the years, Elena's Light decided to introduce a new community initiative. EL Community is dedicated to creating a safe space for cultural exchange, exploration, and immersion for refugee and immigrant children and families.

Student and Volunteer Success Stories

Hear from our amazing volunteer, Amanda, at the following link!

https://www.elenaslight.org/post/volunteer-voices-amanda