The mission of the Opening Word Program is to unlock the language ability of adult participants, providing them with a key to future personal empowerment, increased civic and social responsibility and enhanced skills for membership in the workforce. As a sponsored ministry of the Dominican Sisters of Amityville, the Opening Word is a school open to women living in the Wyandanch, Amityville, and Hu
ntington Station areas of New York. The goals and objectives are:
-To strengthen the English language skills for participants who speak other languages.
-To develop an appreciation for the life skills necessary to become a productive, self– sufficient citizen.
-To focus on family development, including family literacy, parenting, and health literacy so that parents can break the illiteracy cycle that inhibits many families.
-To enable participants to improve their self image through non-competitive, individualized programs and regular evaluative interviews.
-To provide job-readiness experiences including resume writing and practice for interviews.
-To prepare eligible students for the Citizenship test. In addition to teaching academic skills, workshops and classes are given on health topics, parenting, domestic violence, job interviewing, and other pertinent issues.
