BEATSchool’s Pilot Program Teaching ESL

Help us at BEATSchool, Inc. (more information at www.jenniferlpyoung.org) fund a pilot program providing English classes to Spanish- speaking employees at Taylor Farms, a vegetable processing factory in Colorado Springs, CO. (www.taylorfarms.com) This basic education class will be offered through February of 2020 and needs funds for student materials, teacher pay, and administrative costs in order to keep this program free to learners and Taylor Farms.

This pilot program will help BEATSchool establish themselves in the community and explore fundraising to eventually offer the following in the Pikes Peak region: 

Vocational Training:

1. Offering beginning, introductory, and specific and brief classes in construction trades, sustainability topics (urban farming, permaculture, green systems installation, etc.), and culinary arts for reasonable rates of tuition.

For? Anyone curious about these topics for their own learning or in order to work in these topics. If we could attract more nontraditional people to these topics it would benefit our community such as women, people of color, and people living in poverty.

1. Offering special and specific topic training and even certification. Providing manufacturers a place to train on specific materials and their installation. Having experienced tradespersons train on specific topics for reasonable rates of tuition.

For? Existing tradespersons who want to learn more about specific topics such as a journeyman plumber wanting to know how to install a tankless water heater or an HVAC guy wanting to learn how to install geothermal heating system or a chef wanting to learn how to start a rooftop garden for their restaurant. 

1. Through a system of working with a counselor, students in our school are placed in internships and apprenticeships with a network of businesses in construction, sustainability and restaurant industries. Any charge for this service (and I hope we can figure out how to make this free) will come from prospective employers.

For? Any of our students that have entry level interest in any of the topics we teach.

Soft Skill Training:

1. Offering training to our existing students (that come to us for vocational or basic education classes) in what is popularly referred to as “soft skills” that really focus on communication and behavioral expectations of working in these industries for free.

For? Those students that have historical issues getting or keeping a job for whatever reason. Those that are “rough around the edges” with possible background in homelessness, drug addiction, severe poverty, and lack of basic education.

1. Provide our students with a high school type counselor or social worker who will offer character training classes as well as one-on-one counseling and referrals to community resources as appropriate for free.

For? Any of our students that are in crisis.

Basic Education:

1. Offer classes in literacy, ESL (English as Second Language), and GED for free. 

For? Our existing students who are in need of these classes although eventually, I’d like to open up these free classes to anyone who needs it in the community.

1. Beginning classes in entrepreneurial topics such as basic bookkeeping, marketing, business plans, etc. for reasonable rates of tuition.

For? Any of our existing students interested in opening their own business.

Wishlist items we’d love this school to have:

1. Student-run restaurant that is also a fundraising stream for the school.
2. Student-run store where student and staff created crafts and objects are sold.
3. Space for nonformal (actual educational term) education where anyone can teach anyone else, anything.
4. A computer lab with computer classes at all levels. 

HELP US GET STARTED AND DONATE TODAY! ANY AMOUNT HELPS!