Ferguson Library Wins Grant to Provide Citizenship Services

The Ferguson Library has received a $7,500 Library Services and Technology Act grant to fund a Citizenship Resource Center at the library.

The program, called American Citizenship and Beyond, will allow the Stamford library to offer a series of intensive 12-week courses to prepare applicants to take the U.S. naturalization exam. The library also will offer classes in American government, language literacy and referrals to agencies to help in filling out naturalization forms.

The grant also provides for presentations on immigration law, mock citizenship interviews, and study materials in several languages to provide a structured learning system that will lead to citizenship. An additional component of the initiative tackles the career and job finding needs of new citizens. The program will include classes on resumes and cover letters, career counseling and other tools to facilitate the path to employment and career development.

The first 12-week citizenship class will begin this fall. A second will be held in the spring of 2016. Naturalization ceremonies will be conducted at the Library on a monthly basis.

The Ferguson is partnering with Literacy Volunteers at Family Centers, Neighbors Link, Jewish Family Services, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and Goodwill Centers in the project.

Photo credit: fergusonlibrary.org.