Lutheran Church starts 11th year of English as Second Language program

The Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Lutheran Church of Our Savior’s English as a Second Language Program Sept. 10. Members of the chamber’s Meet & Greet Committee were present to help them honor three major sponsors.

The Lutheran Church of Our Savior in Rehoboth Beach kicks off its 11th year of teaching free English as a Second Language literary classes in Rehoboth. Four levels of written and conversational English including civics are taught by over 40 volunteer teachers.

This educational ministry of the church serves over 250 students who attend and represent more than 12 different countries in South and Central America, Eastern Europe and Asia. Students come from areas throughout Sussex County including Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, Millsboro and Georgetown.

The program joins with three major sponsors in 2014. The support of the Arsht-Cannon Fund of the Delaware Community Foundation has allowed the program to grow and flourish. The Harry K Foundation will fund the outstanding child care program, which runs concurrent to classes and feeds preschool children to 12 years of age. Its food program is modeled after first lady Michele Obama’s My Plate initiative and is directed by its own chef.

Finally, through sponsorship from the Rotary Club, a computer lab with state-of-the-art technology is being installed in the school for the benefit of the students. “We feel truly blessed and grateful that these three sponsors have chosen us and our ministry to help newcomers become a productive part of society,” said LaNell Schultheis, program director.