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This is where our story begins . . .
City officials wanted to revitalize our downtown neighborhood as an urban
renewal zone.
Church leaders had a vision for a building where church, commerce, and
community come together for the common good.
In the fall of 2010, God used Salem Alliance Church to make this a
reality.
We invested in our neighborhood by building Broadway Commons.
Broadway Coffeehouse serves as the hub.
Salem Free Clinics has a new home.
People from all over town spend time in the Upper Room.
And adults learn real-life skills in affordable education classes at
Broadway Life Center.
Broadway Life Center exists to offer hope and health in Jesus
through transformational education
in learning communities that address pressing human needs. We currently offer
five learning communities; a unique model that maximizes students' abilities
to learn and apply skills quickly to their daily lives.
English Language Learning gives non-English speakers from around the
world a safe, supportive, fun environment
where they can practice their English skills.
Volunteer teachers, most of whom are ESOL-certified, teach the lesson to their
class on Monday nights.
Then on Thursday nights, volunteer conversation tutors review the lesson
with their small groups and tailor activities to their students' unique
life situations.
In the fall 2012 term, seventy-five students, whose first
language's ranged from Spanish to Russian,
Mandarin to Arabic, participated in English classes
at BLC.
Employment Network is another of the learning communities focused on training
adults with real-life skills.
In Level 1 classes, volunteer instructors and business people from the
community teach key job skills to students who have various barriers to
employment.
Volunteer mentors meet with small groups on Thursdays to move from theory to
application
as they help students identify their skills, create resumes, and gain
confidence.
In Level 2, students meet every other Tuesday year-round to network, refresh
skills, and to be encouraged.
The ASL for Families learning community began as a way to strengthen families
and help them communicate.
It's estimated that less than 10% of hearing parents can
communicate with a deaf child using American Sign Language,
instead relying on basic commands with invented gestures.
ASL for Families teaches basic American Sign Language with a focus on vocabulary
necessary for strong family communication.
These three learning communities; English, Employment Network,
and ASL for Families, are supported by our companion children's program called
BLC Kids!
BLC Kids is a free program for children aged birth through fifth grade.
Another unique aspect of Broadway Life Center amongst the local community
education offerings,
BLC Kids allows couples and singles with no other child-care options
to attend classes with the peace of mind that their children are being cared for
by qualified, loving volunteers.
All BLC Kids programming follows a curriculum that mirrors the parents'
learning community.
Children are participating in literacy activities, learning to set goals for the
future, or learning ASL to communicate with their brother or sister.
Elementary-level children also participate in education clubs such as
science, cooking, sports, or art club.
Besides these three core learning communities, Broadway Life Center also
offers Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University
and Marriage Preparation.
Financial Peace University teaches families the basics of personal financial
management and getting out of debt.
Marriage Preparation is for couples who are seriously dating or engaged
and it helps them engage in conversations about important subjects such as
communication styles, money, and relating to each other's families.
All learning communities are offered twice each year: in the fall and the
spring.
Class fees are kept low and scholarships are available in case of financial
hardship, making Broadway Life Center accessible to those who cannot afford
classes at the local community college.
Broadway Life Center learning communities just started in fall of
2010, but the response so far has been wonderful. Here are some actual student
comments:
We are honored that God is using us to make very real changes in people's lives.
The students are gaining skills that will
improve their lives emotionally, financially, mentally, and spiritually as
well.
They're finding a safe, welcoming place to get help and be encouraged.
They're building friendships with volunteers who walk with them and offer
them hope.
This is where our story begins.
For more information about Broadway Life Center,
check our website,
like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.