For non-native English speakers in the United States, learning to speak and read English tremendously increases access – “opens doors” – to resources such as employment, support services, and community connections. Open Doors English, a Tompkins County organization devoted to providing adult classes in English as a Second Language, received a Neighborhood Mini-Grant from Sustainable Finger Lakes (then called Sustainable Tompkins) in 2019 for a promotional display and outreach materials, and another in 2021 to fund Wi-Fi hotspot rentals for their low-income students studying remotely in rural areas. In 2024, ODE received a third Neighborhood Mini-Grant, for a library cart to transport a new collection of books between classrooms in their Ithaca building.
The cart was stocked with books designed for English learning at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, including additions funded by the mini-grant as the cart cost less than expected. Signed out by students to read at home, the books have become very popular, especially the beginning biographies and other books published by New Readers Press.
Reporting on the grant, ODE Co-Director Hilary Boyer described some of the library’s bounty:
“Students take the books home and read them at their leisure. While the primary goal is
to help students improve their reading comprehension, grammar and vocabulary, the
biographies also teach students about American and other historical figures, such as
Martin Luther King, Jr., Eleanor Roosevelt, Malala, and Muhammad Ali. This contributes
to the cultural competence of our students, which is especially important for permanent
residents and those planning to take the GED test. Books about work life expectations
in the US, such as Keeping Track of Time, Standing Up for Yourself, and Working as a
Team, give students confidence in navigating the soft skills needed for employment
here.”
For more on this project, check out our video interview with Hilary Boyer.
The Neighborhood Mini-Grant Program provides seed money to diverse initiatives to build environmental, economic, and social resilience and well-being in Tompkins County. The program is supported by Craig Riecke, the Park Foundation, AES Clean Energy, and local donors. The next deadline to apply for a Mini-Grant is October 1, 2025. To request an application or learn more, email sasha@sustainablefingerlakes.org.
