Steven M. Sousa, executive vice president and chief operating officer of MutualOne Bank and a MutualOne Charitable Foundation trustee has announced a $7,500 grant to Bethany Hill Place to support their English Language for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program.

According to Executive Director Trish Appert, the residents of Bethany Hill Place are among the community’s poorest and most marginalized. The primary focus of the ESOL program is to help them improve their English language skills so they can achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals. Through their participation in classes, residents will demonstrate increased English language proficiency and be better equipped – and empowered – to move forward in their lives.

“Mastery of the English language is imperative when entering and succeeding in the workforce,” said Sousa. “English-proficient parents can also better support their children’s education, helping them develop literacy skills and language development, as well as being better equipped to talk with their children’s teachers.”