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Our Mission
The Opening Word is a literacy and job readiness program, the purpose of which is to unlock the language ability of adult participants, providing them with a key to future personal empowerment, increased civic and social responsibility and enhanced skills for membership in the workforce. The Goals of the Opening Word Program are:
- to strengthen language skills;
- to focus on family development and health literacy;
- to empower participants to improve self-image;
- to provide job-readiness and post-secondary educational experiences;
- to prepare eligible students for U.S. citizenship.
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Our History
A sponsored ministry of the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville, Opening Word Program is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization now in its 30th year. Founders Sister Mary Ryan, OP and Sister Margaret Briody, OP began a literacy program for women, first teaching in a church basement and later in trailers in Wyandanch, New York. Over time the ministry grew to serve 300 women each year at three sites. A non-denominational program, our students have come from over 45 countries and speak
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