Literacy

Teaching Skills Endure

Dominican Link
Dominican Sisters throughout the United States have found the cause of adult literacy to be a good focus for their members’ educational and administrative skills. They have linked together and periodically meet to share resources and techniques.

To have lived a long life is to have changed often. Dominican women religious are called to meet the needs of the people of God in their own time and place. They do this in prayer and dialogue with others, always mindful of the gifts they have been given. Many of the sisters spent their early years in service to young people as teachers in Catholic elementary and secondary schools, as well as colleges.

Today, while maintaining a presence in schools and colleges, they find themselves being called to meet the literacy needs of the adult community. In the Columbus area this is being carried out at the Dominican Learning Center, and in New Haven, Connecticut, through the Springs Learning Center. Through one-on-one instruction and modeling of Christian concern for the student as a person, the centers strive to raise each participant’s self esteem through the mastery of learning skills.

Dominican Literacy Centers

1992

• A Chapter Commitment to serving the needs of the poor passed.
• The venue of applying this commitment to the cause of Adult Literacy is chosen.

1993

• Sr. Marie Granger was chosen as first administrator of Dominican Learning Center.
• Advice was sought from other Dominican Congregations engaged in this work.

1994

• The Dominican Learning Center opened in an inner city neighborhood with one student and six Dominican Sisters.

1996

• Louise Hackett, a housekeeper at Childrens Hospital, received the first GED certificate.

1999

• A celebration commemorating the five year anniversary was held at the Dominican Learning Center with 72 volunteer tutors and 280 students.

2001

• The founding of the Springs Learning Center was announced at the 100 year celebration of the Dominican Sisters presence in New Haven, Connecticut. Sr. Maryann Lawlor was chosen as the first administrator.

2002

• The Springs Learning Center hosts a celebratory opening and dedication of its facilities. Sr. Maryann Lawlor, Sr. Barbara DeCrosta, and Sr. Mary Ellen Boyle staff this new center.

2003

• At the one year anniversary the Springs Learning Center has ___ tutors and ___ students.
• Sr. Shawn Fitzpatrick takes over as Administrator of the Columbus based Dominican Learning Center.