Staff at HFH family residences are creating opportunities for families to build confidence and connection through English language learning.
At Williamsbridge Family Residence, Recreation Supervisor Yasmeen Joyner is leading a weekly English Conversation Class for families. The group offers a welcoming space for attendees to practice speaking, build vocabulary, and support one another as they learn.
At Clinton Family Residence, a similar effort is underway. Client Care Coordinator Anthony Ritosa leads weekly English groups—sometimes even twice a week to accommodate different schedules.
“I love grammar, I love languages, so I thought, ‘let me see if this could be helpful,’” Anthony said.
Anthony previously volunteered with Catholic Charities, where he worked with intermediate-level students on English vocabulary and listening exercises for people who spoke many different languages. Through his work in Family Services at Clinton, he saw a need and decided to start a group to offer his skills and support to families.
“Sometimes I go out to run errands, and it’s hard not knowing [English],” One mother attending the Clinton group for the first time shared. “I want to learn the basics—to have a good, fluid conversation.”
Families at Clinton speak a range of languages, and the group has welcomed residents whose primary languages are Spanish, Mandarin, Russian, Arabic, and French. Anthony tailors sessions to meet families’ needs.
“I do want to focus more on ‘okay let’s bring in something that you’re actually dealing with—bring in something from the school or an HRA application—and let’s work through it,’” Anthony said.
“I hope that they get something practical out of this. At the end of the day, it’s what social work is—meeting people where they are at,” Anthony added.
The classes are still evolving, with Anthony working to balance different skill levels and learning styles. Residents come in at different levels, so part of the challenge is finding the right structure. Residents are also helping shape the sessions by requesting specific skills to practice, which Anthony then builds into future lessons.
For many families, the group offers more than language instruction; it provides a supportive space to practice and connect with other residents.
“Providing—even if it’s not a perfect—space to practice. That’s the goal of this. To have an additional space for families to get out of their room and do the scary thing of learning a new language,” Anthony said.
