Power of learning visible at St. Vincent de Paul

   Classical music played softly in the background as a roomful of adults diligently computed math problems and mastered English skills and vocabulary with the help of three nuns and a volunteer.

   Everyone was working toward a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) at the St. Vincent de Paul Adult Learning Center, 1995 Gentilly Blvd., but each came for a different reason.

   The founder of the program, Sister of St. Joseph Lory Schaff, 78, and Sister of St. Joseph Kathleen Bahlinger, 73, with director Sister of Notre Dame Bonita Sniegowski mentioned a 78-year-old woman who put her children through Catholic schools but never had a chance to finish school herself.

   She told them, “Now, it’s my turn. I never thought I would be taught by sisters.”

   A construction worker has a goal to better himself.

   “By the sisters helping me, with the grace of God, I will get my GED,” Alexander Smith, 53, said.

   Many students appreciate the one-on-one help they receive. Others discovered a safe haven where they can improve themselves.

   “It’s such a variety of people and their reasons for coming here,” Sister Lory said.

How it started

   The center is a collaborative effort between the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the Congregation of St. Joseph.

   “It was a result of Katrina,” Sister Lory said. “Deacon Rudy (Rayfield, executive director of St. Vincent de Paul) kept hearing stories of how people couldn’t get jobs nationwide. A light went off in his head – why not do education?”

   While searching for a director to start an adult education center, Deacon Rayfield discovered Sister Lory’s successes in adult education at Hope House near the St. Thomas Housing Development and St. Paul the Apostle Learning Center in Baton Rouge. They opened the center in 2007.

   Sister Lory’s self-published book, “A Tale Seldom Told,” uncovering truths about poverty she witnessed living at St. Thomas, has raised $9,000 for the center.

   Sister Lory knows God had a hand in this ministry. It’s now part of the Literacy Alliance of New Orleans and has approximately 60 students, ages 19 and older, registered for either the morning (8 a.m.-1 p.m.) or evening (4:30-7 p.m.) sessions.

   “It’s individualized,” Sister Kathleen said. Students take a pre-test to evaluate math, English and reading proficiency to determine where lessons begin.

   “Then people set out to do work they either forgot or never learned,” she said. “Each person has their own assignments at their own pace.”

   “They actually want you to get it,” Nina Ficaro, 22, said about the nuns. “It’s more personalized. If I have a question, they will answer it, and I have a lot of questions. They are very helpful.”

Model is tried and true

   The learning center uses a successful model of teaching that Christian Brother Joe Porter had established for Sister Lory at Hope House, as well as the McGraw Hill pre-GED series and language builder books.

   “We are still using the model that Joe gave us, including individualized help and assignment sheets,” Sister Lory said.

   Sister Bonita was teaching at nearby St. Leo the Great School when she saw the sign for the adult learning center and decided to inquire.         Her adult education experience in Toledo, Ohio, before arriving in New Orleans garnered her a quick promotion to director in 2009.

Sisters work as a team

   Sister Bonita said the center is truly a team effort with Sister Lory handling the finances and Sister Kathleen doing the purchasing and textbook upkeep. Sister Bonita does data keeping, attending alliance meetings and new student registration.

   On average, most students grasp the skills needed to pass the GED in about 18 months to two years. It typically takes a month to learn a year’s worth of material. Those who take the test and pass are invited to an annual graduation ceremony at Loyola University. Eleven    graduated from the center last year.

   “They know they can do it now and have the courage to go on,” Sister Lory said.

   Even those who don’t regularly attend sessions and subsequently quit the center benefit.

   “They can help their children, and they know that education is a positive thing,” Sister Lory said.

   Yoshakia Simon, 30, pursues her education for two reasons.

   “I wanted to get my GED, so I could be a better example for my daughter, who’s 11 years old,” she said. “I returned to New Orleans from San Antonio, where I was living after the storm. I wanted a fresh start, and a neighbor told me about the center. She said it was really good; they offered one-on-one instruction. My goal is to have my GED by December.”

   Sister Bonita recently welcomed two new students.

   “I want to applaud you for coming,” she told them. “It’s not easy after you’ve been away from school for awhile to return. It takes courage. It takes that initial step, and we hope you will continue.”

   Sister Bonita said they teach individuals from all walks of life and faiths.

   “When you walk through those doors, you are an individual who wants to get a GED or an education,” she said. “We don’t ask about income, faith, children or do a background check. My goal is to accept them where they are and to help them achieve the goals they want. There is a spirit we try to build here.”

   Christine Bordelon can be reached at [email protected].