Eliminating barriers.

In Prospect Park and Haledon combined, about 58% of the population speaks a language other than English at home. Additionally, over 34% of our community was born outside of the United States. Given this incredibly diverse context, learning English and gaining U.S. Citizenship is a high priority for our community. These things unlock so many opportunities for families to establish a new life and change their generational legacy. To that end, New Hope offers critical services to help adults learn English and navigate the immigration system.

English as a Second Language (ESL)

New Hope offers English as a Second Language Classes at the beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels. The program is very low-cost, eliminating barriers for students to learn English. Annually, about 130 students enroll in ESL at New Hope. One of the highlights of this program is hearing former students tell us that they got a job because of the English they learned in their classes! These classes take place during two semesters per year, and include conversation partners and child care. 

Immigration Assistance

Navigating the immigration system is a challenge for new immigrants. The Bible calls us to care for the foreigner in our midst in many places, such as Leviticus 19:33-4: "When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God." With this in mind, New Hope offers several immigration services. Twice per year we offer Citizenship Preparation Classes that equip students to pass the U.S. Citizenship Exam. We additionally aid community members in filling out the N-400 Application for Naturalization. We further collaborate with immigration legal expert, David Nachman, and his colleagues at NPZ Law Group, PC to provide updated information and legal counsel to community members with immigration concerns. In the past two years, we have helped 27 people become U.S. Citizens!