Briya PCS Student Promotes Adult Education and Family Literacy Week

This week during an event to celebrate Adult Education and Family Literacy Week in the District, panelists from Briya Public Charter School, OSSE, the Ascend Fund at the Aspen Institute, and a former DCPS PK teacher, made strong cases for early learning, parenting support and adult literacy services. 

Anabel Cruz, a student and board member at Briya Public Charter School, shared her story during the event. Cruz knows what it's like to be in a new town with a newborn baby and a toddler, without her own family to help out during those critical first years. When she became a student at Briya Public Charter School her confidence as a mother and an English learner received a big boost.  Cruz realized the importance of reading to her children and speaking to them in her native language, Spanish.  

Now her three children are thriving in DC elementary schools. Cruz earned her high school diploma and enrolled in Briya's new medical assistant program to continue her studies.  

With support from Academy of Hope, Briya PCS, Grass Roots DC, Literacy Volunteers & Advocates, Next Step PCS, SOME, Southeast Ministry, The Family Place, and YWCA National Capital Area, more than 50 people gathered at the “An Investment in Adult Education is an Investment in Children’s School Success” event to show their support for the District’s Adult Education and Family Literacy programming.

“Going to school raised my self-esteem, helped me learn to trust myself as a leader and mother, and pushed me to create goals for me and my children,” said Cruz at the event. “I am now a role model for my family and my community.”

When asked how Briya made her feel welcome Cruz answered, “They spoke my language, encouraged me, built relationships with me, supported my desire to be a leader in my community, and prepared my children for school.”

Cruz will join other adult education supporters, learners, and instructors in an upcoming adult literacy advocacy training, where she hopes to inspire fellow adult education learners to participate in the advocacy process and elevate the status of adult education and family literacy nationwide with policymakers, the media and the community.. 

Priscilla Megalaa is Data Program Assistant at Briya Public Charter School. Briya PCS is the only DC charter educating adults and young children together. www.briya.org

 

This week during an event to celebrate Adult Education and Family Literacy Week in the District, panelists from Briya Public Charter School, OSSE, the Ascend Fund at the Aspen Institute, and a former DCPS PK te