Senator Jack M. Martins (R-7th Senate District) announced that he has secured new state funding for the Port Washington Library.

     The $20,000 grant will be used to support the Library’s English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program.  The Library’s ESOL program offers language learning classes, orientation sessions for new immigrants, citizenship preparation, High School Equivalency Degree preparation, homework help and computer instruction for English language learners.  Currently, the program has over 300 students from 35 different countries.

     “Port Washington Library’s ESOL program is an important resource to help new immigrants become citizens, develop their English language skills and assimilate into the community.  Providing these valuable services will help these men, women and children achieve the American dream,” said Senator Martins.

     “Our ESOL program is so successful that we have run out of space and will use this grant to build an ESOL classroom.  We cannot thank Senator Martins enough for helping us to meet this critical need and for his continual support of the library,” said Port Washington Library Director Nancy Curtin.