Dominican Learning Center

In 1994, the Dominican Sisters of St. Mary of the Springs established the Dominican Learning Center to respond to the growing literacy needs in Columbus, Ohio. Since the Center's opening, Columbus has consistently ranked as the number one city in the United States for growth of immigrant and refugee populations.

According to Columbus Literacy Council statistics, 20% of
adults in Columbus lack the reading, writing, and basic math skills needed to function
effectively in daily life. Additionally, it has been shown that an adult without a high
school diploma earns 45% less than a high school graduate. Also, 50% of the
chronically unemployed have low literacy levels.

Since the time of the Center's founding, it has grown both in the number of students served and the number of volunteers. Students and tutors from all over the city come together to work one-on-one to enhance reading skills, prepare for GED examinations,
or learn English as a Second Language (ESL).

Mission

The Dominican Sisters of St. Mary of the Springs have committed their services to an adult literacy center in the city of Columbus, Ohio, in order to assist adults improve
their skills in reading, writing, spelling, speaking, and math, thereby making it possible for them to obtain employment and participate in church and community activities.

Statement of Concern

Over 90,000 adults in Columbus, Ohio are functionally illiterate. Their reading ability is at a level of between fourth grade to eighth grade. The Dominican Learning Center (DLC) targets individual adult learners who have low reading levels, as well as adults wanting to pass GED examinations or learn English as a Second Language (ESL). Through one-on-one instruction and modeling of Christian concern, the DLC assists adult students to master learning skills and concomitantly raise their self esteem.

In 1994 the Dominican Sisters of St. Mary of the Springs embarked on a project to locate a literacy center in a low income, poverty stricken neighborhood with available public transportation. Of the population the Center serves, 60% are minorities. These students are predominately in the age range of 25-44 and are desperately seeking employment. Three quarters of the students are seeking English as a second language (ESL) assistance.

Many participants are looking for individualized instruction and most other centers do not provide it. The average student at the Dominican Learning Center demonstrates
an advancement of one to two grade levels in a year.

History

The Dominican Learning Center was established in June, 1994, at the directive of the Congregation of St. Mary of the Springs. The Congregation has served the Columbus area since 1868 as educators and has taught in and administered elementary and secondary schools as well as two colleges. In order to respond to a Congregational directive and a Columbus community need for increased adult literacy the Congregation of St. Mary of the Springs empowered the first Director, Sr. Marie Granger, a faculty member of Ohio Dominican University, to secure a facility at a site in a low income neighborhood; to equip the facility with educational materials and equipment; to recruit and train volunteer staff in various methods of instruction, including the respected Laubach approach (now known as Pro Literacy America), and to design an instructional program. The Congregation gave start-up funds to initiate the Literacy Project and challenged the Director to seek additional funding from a variety of other sources to continue the effort.

In 2003, Sr. Shawn Fitzpatrick assumed the position of Administrator for the Dominican Learning Center. She and administrative team members Sr. Nadine Buchanan, Sr. Marie Granger, Sr. Jo Ann Lamantia, Sr. Mary Ruth Leandres, Sr. Mary Linda Lorenz, Sr. Louise Wilxman, Mrs. Corrine Hughes, and Mrs. Tina Baker manage the day-to-day operations of the Center. The chronology of the program is:

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 Center with 72 volunteer tutors and 180 students.

2003

Sr. Shawn Fitzpatrick took over as Administrator.
Program numbers increased to over 300 students served by over 100 tutors.

2004

A celebration commemorating the ten-year anniversary was held at the Center.
Two satellite locations were added at the Martin de Porres Center on the grounds of St. Mary of the Springs and at Holy Spirit Church in Whitehall.

2005

An additional satellite was added in Columbus at St. Thomas the Apostle Church.
The Center surpassed 350 students and over 160 tutors.

Advisory Board

The Dominican Learning Center has organized an advisory council whose members promote the Center’s general welfare, advancement and improvement, and provide advice and assistance regarding the operation of the Center’s program, expansion
and outreach.

Members of the Dominican Learning Center Advisory Council are:

Mrs. Tina Baker, Secretary
Sr. Jeanne Conrad, OP
Dr. Joseph M. Gentilini, Chairperson
Mr. Robert Holodnak
Mrs. Corrine M. Hughes
Mr. Robert Vaughan
Mr. James K. Williams, Jr., Vice Chairperson

Affiliations

The Dominican Learning Center is affiliated with ProLiteracy Worldwide and the Ohio Literacy Network (OLN). Within the Dominican Family, the Center is part of The Dominican Link.