LITERACY
AND CITIZENSHIP PROGRAM
The ability to communicate in English is essential if one is to fully participate in American society. Without at least the basics of the language of the land, it is exceedingly difficult to find a job, use public transportation, or get access to medical care or social services.
Basic
English for Survival
VSS offers English classes at
locations in both Minneapolis and St. Paul. The classes are tailored to fit individual
needs. They are offered at various
skills levels, accommodating the needs of persons who know no English, as well
as individuals who possess basic language skills, but would like to become more
fluent.
Preparing
for Citizenship
Becoming a citizen is the fulfillment
of the dream of truly becoming an American. Citizenship confers many benefits,
such as the right to register and to vote and run for local, state and federal
office; the right to enter and leave the U.S. without time limitations on travels;
the right to petition for the permanent residence of your spouse; and access to
certain jobs restricted to U.S. citizens. But obtaining citizenship requires
some formal preparation and several procedural steps. VSS' citizenship courses,
which combine English instruction with U.S. civics and history, are designed to
help immigrants prepare for their Immigration and Naturalization Services
interviews and written citizenship exams. Program staff also assist refugees
and immigrants to fill out the complicated naturalization and citizenship
applications.
Our English and citizenship classes
are offered at two locations -- the VSS offices in the Griggs Midway building
in St. Paul, and Riverside Plaza in Minneapolis. As a participating member of
the St. Paul Community Literacy Consortium, the VSS program enjoys many
benefits of cross-agency resource and knowledge sharing, as well as access to
excellent literacy curricula.
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