St. John's News

St. John's University Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS) secured a grant from the Verizon Foundation to support the project “Helping Our Communities Help Themselves.”  CLACS, which is headed by Alina Camacho-Gingerich, Ph.D, Professor of languages and literatures, will use the money to aid first and second generation immigrants and their families within the local community. 

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In an effort to ensure a faster and more successful transition and adaptation to everyday life in America, CLACS will provide ESL classes in Queens participants of all levels and will hire instructors for these courses in addition to utilizing St. John’s student volunteers.  Also included in this program is a series of workshops that will be overseen by various scholars and professors who are affiliated with CLACS and will familiarize the participants on the various issues (education, legal, technology, psychological adjustments, health and sociological) that immigrants and their families face on a daily basis.

Bill Martin, Verizon’s Director of External Affairs, who was on hand to deliver the $10,000 check to Dr. Camacho-Gingerich, explained why CLACS received this award.  “We wanted to involve a new and exciting organization for the grant and chose (St. John's University) because it helps the community directly and fits the priorities of Verizon.” 

CLACS was established in 1994 under the Office of the Provost at St. John's University.  Since it’s inception it has been a vital member of the community at large by fulfilling the Vincentian mission and commitment to global education.  CLACS is involved in various issues facing the Latin American and Caribbean community here and abroad.

For media inquiries, please contact Elizabeth Reilly, Assistant Director of Media Relations at St. John’s University, by calling (718) 990-5789, or by e-mail to reillye@stjohns.edu.  For additional news about St. John’s University, please visit www.stjohns.edu/news.