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EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTER

HELPING ALL ADULT LEARNERS SUCCEED

Community Education Programs offered through May Dugan Center's Trauma Informed Education Resource Center (ERC) are free and accept anyone ready to learn. We offer a full spectrum of learning opportunities for adult students including:

  • Test preparation services for GED, and U.S. Citizenship

  • College and vocational school entrance support

  • English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

  • Workforce development and employment assistance

  • Financial Opportunity Center

 

Each year, our Community Education program welcomes 250 individuals of all skill levels and educational backgrounds. Our educators create individualized lesson plans with each student. Students work at their own pace, one-on-one with one of our classroom instructors or volunteer tutors.

 

Current Schedule 

Any current student can now attend classes Monday - Thursday  9:30 AM - 12 PM. ESOL zoom classes are held M, T, Th 11:30 am- 1:00 pm and M - Th 5:30 - 7:00pm. For more information or to enroll in any of our Community Education Programs, please call 216-631-5800 x120

Test Prep 

The ERC offers one-on-one support for students looking to earn their GED. The ERC offers both online and in-person options. Each student’s pathway is different, and our teachers are prepared to support various needs. Students are empowered to create their path and decide the right time to take their tests. 

English for Speakers of other Languages (ESOL) 

May Dugan Center’s ESOL program is designed for immigrants and refugees who are interested in improving their English skills. Classes focus on speaking, writing, listening, reading, grammar and culture. The ESOL program is a diverse, welcoming community of students from across the world who speak a variety of native languages including Arabic, French, Khmer, Portuguese, Spanish, Turkish, Somali, and Igbo. All English language learners are welcome, regardless of skill level. Classes are currently held on the Zoom platform M-Th 11:30 am- 1:00 pm and M-W-Th 5:30 - 7:00pm. Tuesday in-person 5:30-7:00 PM. 

Financial Opportunity Center ®

Financial Opportunity center provides career and financial coaching for people looking to build effective money habits. Financial coaches work with individuals to assess public benefits, plan and achieve career goals and plan for financial goals. The rocket wealth program provides savings incentives for qualified clients. If you are ready to take a deep dive in to your financials, the Financial Opportunity Center may be the place for you. 

Workforce Devlopment

Connect to jobs and trainings. May Dugan Center offers career exploration, soft skills trainings, assistance finding a job, and connection workforce development trainings in high demand jobs in IT, Manufacturing, and Health Care. 

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All workforce, financial, and GED prep programs are now offred in spanish. 

HOW TO ACCESS SERVICES

Intake: M, T, TH 10:00 AM W- 4:00 PM 


Please bring a Photo ID, Social Security Card, Insurance Card (if applicable) and Proof of Address.

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Questions regarding intake or the registration process? Call our program assistant Jennifer Reuter at 216-631-5800 x120.

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For more information, please visit our main Intake page

PROGRAM STAFF

Sarah Edelman, M.Ed., Director of Education 
Robert Bivins, M.Ed., Classroom Instructor
Elisa Bredendiek, M.Ed., ESOL Instructor (Arabic, French, German, Russian, and Spanish)

PROGRAM IMPACT

Every year, the Education Resource Center makes a substantial impact in the lives of the people it sees. Last year the program:

  • Enrolled a total of 181 people in May Dugan Center's Education Resource Center.

  • 80 people received Workforce Development Services

  • 76% Pass rate on GED section tests

SUPPORTERS

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The Education Resource Center is supported by: 

  • KeyBank Foundation 

  • The Thomas White Foundation

  • Dollar General Foundation 

  • Abington Foundation 

  • Bruening Foundation 

  • First Energy 

  • City of Cleveland-Community Development Block Grant

  • LISC

  • Rocket Wealth

OUR APPROACH: TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE

The trauma-informed classroom is based on SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) principles of Trauma-Informed Care. Our trauma-informed philosophy provides holistic support for each individual in an inclusive, caring, and supportive environment. We foster development of self-confidence, interpersonal skills, and the ability to self-advocate. In our program, students are able to remove barriers to their learning, pass standardized tests, find successful paths to college and training programs, build skills for self-sufficiency, like budgeting and financial planning, and improve professional communication skills in order to gain sustainable and permanent employment.

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