In February 2022, NowKalamazoo published an article called “Language barrier key to welcoming refugees,” featuring tutor & learner pair Carol Black and Esperance Mukeshayezu. In October 2025, they followed up with an updated profile of our ESL program at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.
Sadia participated in the Edison Early Childhood Education Career Pathway, and is now working in her dream role, helping young children foster a love of learning.
Idy Cheng is originally from Hong Kong, China, and moved to Kalamazoo from Pennsylvania, with her two children, over 10 years ago. She has studied with the KLC through our ESL of Southwest Michigan program since June of 2020.
In January of 2019, Grace began coming to The Reading Center at Goodwill after working one-on-one with a tutor. She wanted to improve her literacy skills and to eventually obtain her GED. Grace also had goals of improving her self-confidence, increasing her ability to be independent, and to become more aware of what being healthy means.
Learn more about her story.
Tecia Berry-Simpson was nominated for the Mard Little Award for Adult Learner Excellence by her tutor, Sarah Bierema, for the progress she made in the past year and for her motivation to be the best “first teacher” to her son.
