UCM & Progreso Announce Partnership to Continue & Expand Services

(August 8, 2013)  United Community Ministries (UCM) and Progreso  Literacy and Citizenship Center (Progreso), both based in Alexandria, have agreed to integrate Progreso’s programs with UCM’s services.

Progreso is the leading provider of English as a Second Language (ESL), citizenship classes, and other immigration services in Southeast Fairfax County.  In order to maintain and expand these services, UCM will combine with them with its ongoing employment and adult education courses.    The transition process, which will be relatively seamless to clients, will be finalized in September 2013.

The combined services are a win-win, according to the leadership of both organizations.  UCM Board President Elaine Kolish says, “We are delighted to combine forces to strengthen ESL, citizenship, and adult literacy classes in our area.  Progreso is a wonderful organization.  We feel privileged to have them.”

Leah Tenorio, Board President at Progreso , adds, “We have decided to join UCM because we believe the opportunity is the best course of action to ensure the long-term continuity of support to the immigrant community.”

Cristina Schoendorf, the current Executive Director at Progreso, is to be named Director of Community and Literacy and will be on UCM’s executive leadership team.  Current staff at Progreso will become UCM employees, and the courses will continue with experienced volunteers. 

“By having Progreso under the UCM umbrella, services to immigrant communities will continue to operate and expand,” says UCM Executive Director Shirley Marshall.  “We are thrilled to be aligned with Cristina and her team.  They will be able to focus on client needs and improving services, instead of administrative duties.”

Both organizations have been serving similar populations, and services will be streamlined to benefit clients.  For example, once a client has become sufficiently proficient in English and obtained computer skills, s/he could transition into UCM’s job coaching and employment services, according to Marshall.

Marshall and Schoendorf agree that a key strength that Progreso will bring to UCM is its loyal supporters and volunteers. Schoendorf has worked at Progreso for 8 years and notes that 7 of its volunteer ESL teachers were each recently honored for a decade of service.

“We are thrilled to align Progreso’s services with ours, to continue to build strong families and strong communities,” Marshall says.  Schoendorf echoes that sentiment: “We’re all very excited.”

Gerry Hyland, Fairfax County Mount Vernon District Supervisor, extends his congratulations:  “This is a wonderful marriage of interests, consolidating functions with resultant savings.  Good work!”

“Many recent studies have noted the shift of poverty and of immigrants to the suburbs, out of the city,” notes Marshall.  “This makes ESL and citizen classes particularly important.  UCM’s diverse employment services – as well as services targeting adults with language and literacy gaps – makes our services an essential part of community development in Southeast Fairfax County.”

United Community Ministries (www.ucmagency.org) is a leading provider of human services in Fairfax County, building strong families and strong communities.  UCM works on three levels to lift people out of poverty and isolation:

·      Immediate Help.  For families and individuals in crisis, UCM provides food, financial aid, and counseling.

·      Self-Sufficiency.  Services such as job training and coaching, full-day early care and learning, transitional housing, and parental education help move people toward sustainability.

·      Community Engagement.  UCM’s neighborhood centers, with after-school programs and leadership training, keep youth and families engaged in broader social networks.