Recently, Karol Brewer of the Cabrini Immigration Commission, had the pleasure of meeting Filomena Elliott, Director of the Adult Program at the Kennett Library in Kennett Square, PA, to whom we delivered books that many of The Update readers generously donated to our Cabrini Immigration Commission of the Guadalupe Province.
The librarians plan on using some of the books for bilingual story time at the library and have made sure that there are copies of each one in their library system.
The mission of Kennett Library’s Adult Literacy Program (ALP) is to provide free basic literacy and English as a Second Language instruction to community adults. The goal is to improve literacy to levels of proficiency necessary to function on the job, in the family, and in society.
The program began in 1979 with tutoring in basic literacy, added ESL classes in the 1990s to fill the need for an increasing immigrant population, and now also includes classes for American citizenship preparation, GED preparation, and digital literacy. There are five levels of ESL classes taught weekly in both day and evening, from September through June. Besides attending weekly classes, students may request a volunteer tutor trained by the ALP staff who provides individual help and reinforcement of skills. Each tutor meets weekly with students, offering between one and three hours of individual practice of English skills, Civics, or GED subject material (Math, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies).
Since 1979, ALP has served over 11,000 adult learners from 62 different countries. In 2024, ALP delivered 16 weekly classes to 477 students representing 26 countries. Of those 477, about 1/3 (168 students) took two, three, or even four classes. There were 13 students who earned American citizenship and two who earned their high school diploma.
ALP staff—the Director and her Administrative Assistant–also offer help and resources to all who need orientation to the Kennett Square community and the agencies and organizations that assist newcomers with needed services.
This past Sunday, June 1st, members of our Cabrini University community traveled to the St Frances Xavier Cabrini Shrine in New York City. We had an diverse group of Cabrini alums (at least one from EVERY decade!!), faculty, staff and friends.
Childhood needs more than just basic care; it needs experiences that awaken curiosity, spark dreams, and invite children to discover the world with new eyes. Guided by this belief, the Shekiná and Positive Parenting programs from Dispensario Madre Cabrini, along with the Chispa Modificado program from Dispensario San José, recently carried out two unforgettable activities that left a lasting impact on the children involved.
The closing of Cabrini University in Radnor, PA may have taken place one year ago, however the mission, our loyalty, and friendships continue to remain open and deeply rooted in our hearts as alumni.
Yesterday, Justice for Immigrants (JFI) joined the New York for All and Dignity Not Detention coalitions in Albany for the Stop the Complicity! All Hands for Immigrant Justice action. Together with immigrant leaders, advocates, and allies from across the state, we called on our elected officials to end New York’s complicity with ICE and take action to protect our communities.
This week is National Palliative Care Week, a time to recognise the work of Cabrini’s palliative care teams who bring comfort, peace and healing, and above all compassion.
