Branch Of Nashville Inc

Programs: The english language program offers two different types of english classes: english every day intensive english (eedi), and traditional english (esl) classes. An average of 125 students receive instruction per session (spring, summer, fall), with students continuing from one session to the next. 25-30 volunteers helped with esl, teaching classes and practicing english with students. Childcare is provided free to all students in english programs. Teachers were volunteers for the spring and summer sessions in 2017, but a grant enabled 12 of the teachers to be paid for their services during the fall session. A total of 47 students from 10 different countries were enrolled in eedi, working to complete one level of instruction over 45 weeks totaling 540 hours of class time. The traditional english program serves students from level 0 through level 4, each level requiring 40 weeks of instruction to complete. (see schedule o for continued explanation)

the branch operates a food pantry serving people living in one of three surrounding zip codes, which is the only qualification for receiving food. The pantry is open two days a week, 51 weeks a year, with the capacity to serve up to 105 families per week. Each family receives 30-40 lbs of food one time per month. The branch also distributes usda food through the emergency food assistance program. 99% of our clientele qualify to receive usda food, which adds an additional 20-30 pounds of food per family per month. Through the help of food donations, the average cost of food per family per month is $2. 48. The branch served 4,805 families totaling 18,886 people in 2017, an increase of 1,006 families and 3,916 people over 2016. The pantry is completely staffed by volunteers, utilizing an average of 25-30 volunteers per week.

roots invests into young people, fully aware that they are our future leaders. Children of food pantry clients and english students are able to get help with homework, read, and play games in rooms decorated and designed for their age groups with volunteers who interact with them and get to know them. The branch financially invested in providing tutoring for a 16 year old kurdish boy who was in a very high risk category due to his total inability to read in any language. He progressed from not recognizing one word of the english language to completing at least seven books in the wilson reading program with the ability to sound out words and read for himself. He will graduate high school and leave the program spring of 2018.