Mercy Learning Center
News & Events Archives

Starting the New Year with Hope
At a special ceremony at Mercy Learning Center on December 21, Yolanda Minor a Fairfield school bus driver from Bridgeport, received the best holiday gift of all - her high school diploma. One of four ways to earn a high school diploma or its equivalent, the National External Diploma Program (NEDP) allows mature adults like Minor to demonstrate high school level skills using life and work experiences to master 70 competencies to complete secondary education requirements. Her two children, as well as fellow students, staff, and volunteer tutor, Amy Feinman of Weston, who worked with her at Mercy Learning Center through this process, attended a special graduation ceremony in her honor at Mercy Learning Center.

Born in Stamford, Connecticut, Yolanda moved to Bridgeport and was raised by her grandmother. At the age of 15, she went out on her own - dropping out of high school after the ninth grade in Bridgeport, so she could work to support herself and later her two sisters as well. Over time, she held a variety of minimum-wage jobs, had her first child at the age of 29 and another four years later, and dealt with health issues that left her unemployed and depressed. While walking by Mercy Learning Center's building in 2006, Yolanda decided it was time to complete her education. She enrolled in the General Education Development (GED) Class and began her journey towards a high school diploma. Having taken the GED exam and failing the math section, she persevered. "I didn't want to give up," Yolanda recalls. "I had a lot of determination, and I wanted to do this to motivate my kids in school."

In May 2009, Yolanda was invited to participate in the NEDP at MLC. Using her life experience and past work experience, she mastered the tasks required to earn her high school diploma. With this credential, she says, "I want to make more money." This holiday season, Yolanda celebrated her achievement and continues on her journey in 2010, hoping to advance to a higher-paying job and college.

Annual "A View of the Harbor" Event Benefits Mercy Learning Center

Friends and supporters of Mercy Learning Center gathered on Sunday, October 4th at the Country Club of Fairfield to support the need for literacy education among marginalized women at the Center's annual signature fundraising event, A View of the Harbor. With breathtaking views of Southport's harbor and Long Island Sound as its backdrop, nearly 200 area individuals attended an elegant cocktail party that featured spectacular live and silent auctions, a student testimonial, video, and presentation from Jane Ferreira, the Center's President and CEO. It was a wonderful opportunity to socialize in a picturesque setting for a good cause.

Sponsors for this year's fundraiser included James and Donna Woods Orazio, Rob and Cindy Citrone, Fred and Nealy Madsen, Hampford Research, Sun Products, and Bank of America, as well as two anonymous donors. Chairpersons were Clare Clark of Westport with Susan Burstein and Nealy Madsen, both of Fairfield. Committee members included Lee Toth of Bridgeport; Regina Bobroske, Rose Garfield, Teresa Harrington, and Jennifer Harrington of Easton; Ceci Conklin, Sally Cummings, Mary Cunningham, Ellen Donnelly, Melanie Marks, Beth McDonald, Cheryl Mellinger, Joan Van de Berghe, and Dale Zaino of Fairfield; Cindy Citrone and Becky Shea of Southport; Marylou Jamieson, Debbie Krieg, Karen Krupnik, and Patti Rosen of Weston; Jane Doyle, Mary Hanrahan, Karen Harman, Mary Heery, Jane Jordan, Peggy Kamins, Ann Pawlick, Maggie Rotanz, and Barbara Szefc of Westport; and Kathleen Galvin of Woodbridge.

Junior League of Eastern Fairfield County Helps MLC Students Get to the Core of Healthy Eating

The Junior League of Eastern Fairfield County piloted a new program to make fresh and affordable produce more accessible to twenty of the students at Mercy Learning Center. This innovative program provided an opportunity for our students to learn more about purchasing local fruits and vegetables at farm stands in greater Bridgeport neighborhoods and discover new ways to cook traditional meals in more healthful ways. To guarantee the success of this program, the League partnered with Analiese Paik, founder of the Fairfield Green Food Guide, an online resource for finding fresh, local and sustainably grown food, and Wholesome Wave Foundation, a non-profit founded to make locally-grown, sustainable foods available to all.

A new two-part "Healthy Eating" pilot program with Mercy Learning Center included the October field trip to the Marina Village Farmers Market where University of Connecticut nutrition expert Heather Harrington explained the benefits of having access to fresh, unprepared, locally grown fruits and vegetables and increase awareness and use of these neighborhood farmers markets. In November, Analiese Paik and members of the Junior League returned to Mercy Learning Center to present a cooking demonstration and tasting that allowed students to discover nutritious alternatives to commonly-used but heavily processed ingredients.

"This year, the League's community outreach programs focus on improving health, nutrition and literacy for women and children," says Susan Zaveruha, president, Junior League of Eastern Fairfield County. "We are astounded by the community involvement in this pilot program and hope we can extend to other students of Mercy Learning Center a similar opportunity to access a variety of fresh, local produce in Bridgeport."

International Literacy Day Is Observed at MLC

To bring to the forefront the need for literacy education in our community, Mercy Learning Center hosted its annual open house in observance of International Literacy Day on Tuesday, September 8th. This event highlighted the empowering role of literacy and the need to address adult education in our society. Before a light lunch and refreshments, the brief program included a welcome by Mercy Learning Center's Board Chair Beth Davis, followed by a message on the power of literacy and education by President and CEO Jane Ferreira, a testimonial by student Bless from Ghana who shared her joy in learning to read, write and speak English at Mercy Learning Center, and a presentation by keynote speaker Scott Hughes, Bridgeport's City Librarian. Hughes shared his personal story about having struggled while learning to read and encouraged the students in the audience to always reach for the next level of education. Local agency representatives, donors, members of the Board of Directors, and Mercy Learning Center's GED students, volunteers and friends were in attendance.

In addition to the program, guest readers from the area visited the Center's adult education classrooms. They included Frances Moore, Editor of the Fairfield Citizen News and the Westport News; Jamie Knoedler, Director of Education at the Barnum Museum; Elizabeth Marks Juviler, President of the Westport Young Woman's League; Tammy Roberts, President of the Weston Women's League; and Valerie Thompson, local radio station WEBE/WICC's Advertising Traffic Manager.

International Literacy Day was first observed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on September 8, 1967. According to UNESCO, "Literacy and Empowerment is the theme for the 2009-2010 biennium of the United Nations Literacy Decade." Countries throughout the world marked this day of awareness for the need for literacy training and the eradication of illiteracy on a global and local level.

Mercy Learning Center Awards Two High School Diplomas

At a special ceremony at Mercy Learning Center of Bridgeport in early September, Josephine Mason and Nallelis Morla, both of Bridgeport, were awarded high school diplomas after completing the National External Diploma Program (NEDP). One of four ways to earn a high school diploma or its equivalent, the NEDP allows mature adults to demonstrate high school level skills using life and work experiences to master 70 competencies to complete secondary education requirements. Before their family and friends, as well as fellow students at Mercy Learning Center and the staff and tutors who worked with them through this process, Josephine and Nallelis proudly received their high school diplomas and attended at a reception in their honor.

It wasn't enough for Jamaican-born Josephine to share in the pride of her six grown children's accomplishments. "Looking at all the achievement awards that I have in my house from my children I felt so inferior, and I vowed to myself that I would do something about it," she shared in an award-winning essay she wrote at Mercy Learning Center entitled, Mercy Learning Center Means a Path to Success. With a deep gratitude for the education and empowerment she received, she believes, "Mercy Learning Center has led many over the years, and is still leading many more to a brighter path through knowledge and education. Because of this, many have achieved the impossible - like going to college, better jobs and also getting employed. Because of this achievement, we gain self-respect and self-confidence, and we no longer think of ourselves as losers or invisible. Now we stand tall with heads held high, knowing the dreams many of us had can actually happen. It's no longer beyond our grasp." Josephine, a nursing assistant, was a student in the Center's part-time tutoring program for five years before entering the NEDP last year. At 61, she has a strong belief that one is never too old to learn. Her math tutor, Marianne Laska of Milford, and reading tutor, Lisa Isenman of Fairfield, shared their comments and beamed with pride at the graduation ceremony.

Nallelis, a single mother of a four-year-old daughter, came to the U.S. in 2003 from the Dominican Republic without having completed her formal education. She works two shifts as a bus driver in Fairfield, and because she needed to work, she was not able to attend traditional adult education classes. She was an ideal NEDP candidate. With tears in her eyes, Nallelis expressed her gratitude to Mercy Learning Center's NEDP assessors and her tutor, Jane Eyes of Westport, for helping her achieve her educational goals and encouraged other students in the audience to work to accomplish theirs. This 24-year-old ambitious woman became a U.S. citizen and, now that she has earned a high school diploma, plans to attend Housatonic Community College to study business management. Lynn Davies, the Program Facilitator at Mercy Learning Center, spoke of Nallelis' drive and determination and believes Nallelis will find success saying, "She is an excellent young woman who sets goals and reaches for them."

My name is Ruth, and I am the youngest of three children. I experienced domestic violence early in my life and the many issues that come with it; divorce, alcoholism and sexual abuse. I escaped many times from these situations. At age 14, I started working as a housekeeper, then as a nanny and later as a waitress. I knew I was getting no where in these jobs. I realized I had to go back to school in order to have a better life.

 I started to work on my education by coming to Mercy Learning Center in 2007. I liked Mercy Learning Center because I was able to learn different subjects. The teachers were very motivating and they really cared about me. Unfortunately, I found myself again in trouble and missed many days of school. One day, Jane noticed the abuse marks on my arm and neck. I got the help I needed from the social worker at Mercy Learning Center. Jane really believed in me. She told me that I needed to attend classes every day if I wanted to get my GED.

I know that education has made me strong. This year I have not missed a day of class. I no longer feel powerless. Everyone at Mercy Learning Center is so encouraging to me and the other women there. They tell me every day that "I can do it!" I am really serious about getting my education, and I hope to take the GED test in November. When I pass, I want to go on to college.

There are hundreds of women who come there every day - with the hope that they can make changes in their lives. I speak for all of them when I tell you how much we appreciate the people who help us become more educated.

SAVE THE DATE for MLC's View of the Harbor 2009
MLC's premier fundraising event will take place on Sunday, October 4th at picturesque Country Club of Fairfield. This event usually attracts 150-200 friends and supporters of MLC. Clare Clark (Westport), Nealy Madsen and Susan Burstein (both of Fairfield) are the event's 2009 tri-chairs. The committee has begun to plan this year's cocktail party fundraiser. Sponsorships, program ads, live/silent auction items are needed to ensure the success of this special evening focused on supporting literacy!

Expose your business to the upscale Fairfield County crowd while supporting literacy! Consider sponsoring this high profile event. A variety of sponsorship and underwriting opportunities are available. For more information, click here or contact MLC's Development Director, Kathy Flynn Parisi.

Do you (or does your company) have a vacation home, sporting event tickets, or gift certificate to donate for the live or silent auction? If so, please contact MLC's Development Director, Kathy Flynn Parisi.

Take out an ad to promote your business, recognize your commitment to literacy, or to wish MLC good luck on its View of the Harbor fundraiser! Program ad forms are available here.

Woman Words: Ya-Ya's Story
My name is Ya-Ya. I was born and raised in the Bronx, and this is my story. Both of my parents were drug addicts--in and out of methadone clinics. And when they were home, they were abusive to me. So basically, I raised myself. My mother died when I was 16, and I came to Bridgeport and lived with my mother’s sister. Unfortunately, she treated me like garbage--I felt like Cinderella--always cooking and cleaning the house. I lived with her for a couple of months and then she decided to move to Florida. I had no where to live, so I went to a homeless shelter in Bridgeport. I soon found jobs doing physical labor--loading and unloading trucks and factory work. I began to live on my own, but was always worried that my job would end.

One morning I woke up full of frustration--knowing I needed to get an education if I was going to stay out of the shelter. I called Info-line and asked about adult education services. Mercy Learning Center was the first number they gave me. So I called. And that was the beginning of how my life changed.

I made an appointment, went to the Center to register and get tested, and started in the GED class. I was on my way to success. At Mercy Learning Center, I saw that we were all just women with the same dreams of becoming something more. More than what society told us we could be. My mother told me that I was never going to succeed or be anything. I wanted to prove her wrong.

I had the fortune of discovering Mercy Learning Center when my life was at its lowest, and like so many others whose lives had been tainted by mishaps and failures, I entered the doors and was welcomed into a new family--a cluster of strong, intelligent, kind-hearted women who offered me the opportunity to reach my goals. Within one year, I got my GED and I am going to start college soon. I am proud of myself, what I have become, and what I will be.

NOVEMBER 2008: Channel 12's Hometown Hero: Mercy Learning Center's Tammy Barry
Westporter Tammy Barry spends three afternoons each week at Mercy Learning Center teaching mothers how to read to their children. With a professional background in special education, she dedicates herself to the Mother/Toddler Pre-Literacy and School Readiness Program, which is part of Mercy Learning Center's educational childcare program. So, while women are participating in the Center's adult literacy and life skills classes, their preschool-aged children are being educated as well. In the city of Bridgeport, where one in three children enter kindergarten without preschool experience, the time Ms. Barry spends with these young families may set the stage for future success in school.

Each week, Ms. Barry conducts three classes - each tailored to a specific preschool age group. Ms. Barry bases each parent/child session around a thematic unit that mirrors the weekly childcare classroom curriculum. She spreads out a large blanket on the floor of the Center's library, invites mothers and children to join her while she reads a story as the mothers read along with her. She models for these women how to interact with their children and make every experience an opportunity to learn. Activities that can be paralleled at home take place, and then the mother and child are encouraged to find a quiet place in the library to read the story together. At the conclusion of each class, the children are given a copy of the book they read that day to take home and re-read together at bedtime. All of the books are donated through grants by local organizations and personal donations, many of whom are friends of Ms. Barry.

Ms. Barry, a mother of three and private special education consultant has a passion for educating the underserved. Knowing that a mother has the greatest influence on the success of her children in school, she finds time amid her busy family life and work schedule to come to Mercy Learning Center and teach women how to read with their children. Through this program, many young mothers break the intergenerational cycle of illiteracy and together mothers and their children develop a lifelong bond and love of reading.

OCTOBER 2008: Family Fun Day
With games, a magician, food, and prizes, more than 300 students and friends of Mercy Learning Center gathered under sunny skies on Saturday, October 4h, for its annual Family Fun Day sponsored and organized by Shelton-based MDR, a D&B Company. This family-centered event was attended by the women enrolled at Mercy Learning Center and their families, and took place in the backyard of the Center. Mothers, fathers, children, tutors, and friends of Mercy Learning Center enjoyed the Family Fun Day, which included games and activities, a visit from "B.B.," the Bluefish mascot, a magician, and a photo with Winnie-the-Pooh.

The Center is currently in its 22nd year of providing a positive impact on this urban community. "Our Family Fun Day is a way for our students to build community and involve their families. We are grateful to MDR for sponsoring this special celebration again this year. They do a remarkable job," remarked Mercy Learning Center's President and CEO Jane Ferreira.

As the leading U.S. provider of marketing information and services for the education industry, MDR supported Mercy Learning Center by underwriting the event and executing the activities with the assistance of more than 20 of their employees who helped at the event plus many more who contributed baked goods. With the encouragement of MDR President Fady Khairallah, the company engages in community events and service programs that allow its employees to take an active role in promoting education. Mercy Learning Center's Family Fun Day provided a perfect opportunity for MDR staff to get involved in an event that focuses on building a community to enhance their literacy programs." Under the direction of MDR's Product Specialist Marianne Roggemann of Shelton, a plentiful team of corporate volunteers and student volunteers from St. Joseph's High School in Trumbull commandeered this event.

Click here to see the Family Fun Day 2008 photo gallery.

OCTOBER 2008: A View of the Harbor
With a spectacular view of Southport's harbor and Long Island Sound, nearly 200 supporters gathered at the Country Club of Fairfield for "A View of the Harbor" fundraiser to benefit Mercy Learning Center of Bridgeport on Sunday, October 5th. This annual event introduces new friends to the mission of Mercy Learning Center and its women's literacy programs, which impact the lives of more than 500 women and 100 children each year. This elegant cocktail party featured a welcome by the Center's Board Chair Beth Davis, a presentation on Mercy Learning Center by President and CEO Jane Ferreira, a touching testimonial from GED graduate Yamalie, a brief video, and magnificent live and silent auctions that offered a variety of unique opportunities, sporting event tickets and memorabilia, gift certificates, and treasures as well as student sponsorship opportunities. Local radio and television personality David Smith was the guest auctioneer for the evening.

Click here to see A View of the Harbor 2008 photo gallery.

SEPTEMBER 2008: International Literacy Day
To bring to the forefront the need for literacy education in our community, Mercy Learning Center hosted an open house in observance of International Literacy Day on Monday, September 8th. In countries throughout the world, this day of awareness marks the need for literacy training and the eradication of illiteracy globally and locally. International Literacy Day was first observed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on September 8, 1967. The 2008 theme was, "Literacy Is the Remedy" for building healthy communities. In addition to a light lunch and refreshments, a brief program included a welcome by Mercy Learning Center's President and CEO Jane Ferreira, a student testimonial, and a presentation by ProLiteracy Worldwide representative Mark Cass. Guest readers who included Gabrielle Guise and Georgina Platt of the Near and Far Aid Association, Robert Scinto of R.D. Scinto, Inc. in Shelton, and naturopathic physician Sherry Stemper, ND of Bridgeport participated in International Literacy Day with special presentations for the students at the Center.

Click here to see the International Literacy Day 2008 photo gallery.