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In Central Texas, the need for adult education outweighs the ability to meet that demand. Manos de Cristo and Covenant are working toward a solution to the growing need by offering classes at Covenant.

Manos de Cristo has been a mission of Covenant Presbyterian Church since 1988. Covenant members know Manos de Cristo for its low-cost dental center, education and basic needs programs, and the annual back-toschool event.

Manos de Cristo has grown tremendously since it began serving its first dental patients in 1988. Major growth areas can be seen in the new dental center, which opened in November 2013 at almost three times the capacity of the original clinic. Manos served more than 5,500 patients in the new center in 2014.

The education program has existed for almost two decades, starting with a few ESL (English as a Second Language) classes and now serving more than 500 adult students per year with ESL, computer literacy, citizenship preparation, adult basic education and Spanish literacy classes. Students come to Manos with many goals, such as gaining confidence in speaking English in their daily lives, and being able to better communicate with doctors, their children’s teachers and their employers.

Covenant member Frank Sheppard wanted to find a way to use the Fellowship and Education building, a structure that bears the slogan “building beyond boundaries.” Frank knew that the space was meant to be for the community, not just the church. Frank worked with Covenant to reserve space for the Manos classes, which were expanded to the Covenant campus in 2013.

Highlights of the Covenant – Manos de Cristo partnership:

• Since 2013, 50 students have been served by teachers at Covenant. • Covenant has offered several English classes in the Citizenship Student evenings and much-needed childcare for our adult learners/parents in class. • Covenant launched a citizenship preparation class on campus in fall 2014 for eligible legal permanent residents seeking to become naturalized citizens.

Manos de Cristo is blessed to be a recipient of the Freeman Bequest. Our partnership with Covenant has been greatly enhanced with this grant, which secures the Manos education and childcare staffing. Increased staff enables an increase of educational services offered at

Manos de Cristo and Covenant Presbyterian Church.

English students at Covenant have said: “The class is a wonderful help to me, especially when we have conversation practice. I feel very confident with the teachers because they are very patient and they really know what they are doing.”

“In English class, I enjoy learning new things every day. I like class discussions because I have the opportunity to give my opinion.”

Citizenship students have this to say about their experiences: “The citizenship class helps me to understand and learn different ways to remember the civics questions and history, and practice the interview.”

“Thank you for your time and for helping many immigrants to become a better part of the United States!”

SUBMITTED BY MARY ALICE CARNES, COMMUNICATION MANAGER AT MANOS DE CRISTO