Caroline House Inc

“Caroline house does have "members of the corporation" (the school sisters of notre dame who are members of the provincial council) they appoint the board directors and hold reserved powers.”

“Each board member will be provided a copy of form 990 prior to the filing of the return. Each member will have an opportunity to review and raise and questions or concerns they may have at the next board meeting.”

“The organization will provide the conflicts of interest policy to each member of the board as well as staff, and review the policy with each prior to annual acknowledgements.”

“Religious staff members receive a rent stipend and religious subsidy prorated by the percentage of their time spent at caroline house, inc.”

“All governing documents are available upon request.”

“We offer esl and life skills classes for the women; an early childhood education program for their two through five year old children, which prepares them for the transition to kindergarten; and after school tutoring and summer enrichment for their elementary and middle school age youngsters that addresses the gap between these young people who are learning english and their peers for whom english is their native tongue. The adult women and their preschool age children attend class five and a half hours a day, four days a week throughout the school year - for a total of 720 hours per person. Caroline house was established in 1995. Since its founding we have served more than 2500 women and children. Our programs make a significant difference in the lives of the low-income immigrant women and children whom we serve.our adult women students learn to speak, read, write, and communicate in english. This leads to their qualifying for better-paying jobs and advanced educational opportunities. We help them to deal with the struggles of everyday life in the u.s. Such as managing their children's issues, accessing health care and affordable housing, finding employment and participating in their communities. Children who participate in either the early childhood education program or take advantage of afterschool tutoring can achieve parity with their peers for whom english is the native language. We continually strive to make our services more robust and to increase the number of people we serve. The women we serve learn to speak english and acquire skills for navigating life in their new home. When their literacy skills are sufficiently proficient, they receive help attaining a ged and/or applying for college or technical programs. Their pre-school age children acquire school-readiness skills so that they are ready to thrive in kindergarten and beyond. Children in grades 2-8 for whom esl is a problem improving their literacy skills so that they are more likely to graduate high school and consider attending college. Classes and services are free to all participants. Our participants become members of the caroline house community and learn how to navigate the bridgeport community. They help each other in the classroom and with everyday life. They show their appreciation by giving back. Recently our students helped to beautify caroline house, installing a window box filled with flowers and lining the walk with spring bulbs. They followed up by joining students from fairfield university school of nursing in initiating a cleanup of bridgeport's east side neighborhood, where our site is located.”

“Grouped according to their esl levels. When their english is sufficiently proficient, they will be able to participate in workshops where they prepare to attain a ged, and/or apply to college or a technical program. Women attend classes four days a week from 9:00-1:30, a total of 720 hours per year per person. Early childhood education for the youngest children takes place at the same time as the adult classes. Hands-on experiential activities engage their preschool age children. Our teachers help them to learn english and the skills they are expected to possess when they enter kindergarten - counting, the alphabet, how to get along with their peers, etc. Mommy and me: once a month parents join their children in the early childhood education classroom and participate in activities together. They build language and literacy skills through stories, rhymes, songs, crafts, and games. After-school tutoring and summer enrichment for children in grades two through eight addresses the achievement gap between immigrant children for whom english is a second language and their peers for whom english is their first language. Recognizing the age range and differing skill levels tutoring is one-on-one. Virtual option for women whose schedules and family obligations are not compatible with our on-site schedule. This component replicates the on-site experience. Students who participate via zoom, are grouped according to their language level. Like the women who participate on-site, they learn english and gain tools to navigate everyday life.”

“Population served and need our target population is low-income immigrant women and children. Our students range in age from 18 to 80. They represent diverse cultures and countries from latin and south america, europe, asia, and africa. Typically, up to 45% of the women we serve report that the highest level of education completed before emigrating to the us was elementary or middle school. As stated above most of the people we serve live on bridgeport's east side, most within walking distance of caroline house. This is the only program offering esl in this part of bridgeport. The children we serve range in age from two to fifteen and are either immigrants themselves and/or have immigrant parents who don't speak english. Eighty-five percent of students enrolled in our after-school tutoring live in households where spanish is the primary language spoken at home and struggle through their school classes. After school tutoring helps these young people achieve parity with their peers who are native english speakers. Caroline house helps the youngest children learn english and other skills that prepare them to successfully transition to kindergarten. Although our classes for adult women are on-site at caroline house, recognizing that there are women who need our services whose schedules and family obligations are not compatible with our on-site schedule 9-1:30 schedule we implemented a virtual option.”

“There has been no changes to the audit oversight process from the prior year.”