LEAF-Westwood

Program Overview

This 9 month program helps families learn together during the school day. While the adult learner's three and four-year-old children are attending preschool, full-time caregiver must attend English classes or other Adult Basic Education, parenting classes and work in the child's classroom. Once a month the teachers visit the home for inter-generational activities and one-on-one guidance. A performance contract is required (this is a promise the adults will participate fully).

Cost Info

Student and Volunteer Success Stories

June 2016

While Rosa lived in a community before she began Stepping
Stone Foundation's (SSF) LEAF program, she didn't really know anyone. Over the course of the school year, the
community embraced her and by the end of the year she belonged to her community.

Rosa's family enrolled in SSF's program because she needed
English lessons. With five children and one more on the way, her son, Abram, entered the SSF preschool. Rosa's participation for all obligations (including home visits and classroom volunteering) was 94% by the end of the
year and she had improved one level in English.
Abram blossomed in preschool, learning English and how to get along with his peers.

Maria entered SSF's program because she needed her GED but began the year in the English class, wanting to improve her English before beginning GED preparation. Her three-year old, Santiago, entered preschool and her younger child attended childcare so she could participate fully in her classes. By the end of the year, Santiago spoke English beautifully and was ready to return to the LEAF program as a four-year-old. Maria's participation for all obligations was 99%.

Disaster struck Rosa's family near the end of the program
year. The family's father became ill and died. The SSF community rallied around Rosa and her family. Maria translated at the hospital and the friendship they'd created in classes matured to a richer level. Another mother in the program, Elsa, donated all the proceeds of her small yogurt business for a day. SSF community put together several fundraisers including a shower for the new baby and over the summer break, Rosa and her family were surrounded by the community
she now belonged to.

SSF is so much more than a literacy intervention; it is an incubator for genuine community cohesiveness.

From Abram's pint of view

While four-year-old Abram lived in a community before he
began Stepping Stone Foundation's (SSF) LEAF program, he didn't really know anyone. Over the course of the school
year, the community embraced his whole family and by the end of the year he belonged to a community.

Abram's family enrolled in SSF's program because his mother,
Rosa, needed English lessons. Abram entered the SSF preschool as the youngest of five children. Rosa, pregnant with her sixth child, participated in all obligations at 94% and improved one level in English by year-end. Abram blossomed in preschool, learning English and how to get along with his peers.

Santiago entered SSF's program because his mom, Maria,
needed her GED. He entered preschool and his younger sister attended childcare so Maria could participate fully in her classes. By the end of the year, Santiago spoke English beautifully and was would return to the LEAF program as a
four-year-old. Maria's participation in all obligations was 99%.

Disaster struck Abram's family near the end of the program
year. His father became ill and died. The SSF community rallied around his family. Maria translated at the hospital and another mother in the program donated the proceeds of her small yogurt business for a day. The community put together fundraisers including a shower for the new baby and over the summer, Abram's family was surrounded by the community he now belonged to.

SSF is so much more than a literacy intervention; it is an incubator for genuine community development.