Anne Marie Chuckrey, of West Haven, Connecticut, is the new director of the Springs Learning Center. The Center, at 115 Blatchley Avenue, New Haven, CT, is an adult literacy /ESL/ Citizenship ministry of the Dominican Sisters of Peace.

The Center provides tutoring in English as a Second Language (ESL). It also helps learners obtain American citizenship and offers basic computer and communication skills training.

Anne Marie’s association with the Center began with volunteer tutoring in 2021. She continues to serve as a tutor, along with her duties as director. She was an adjunct professor of Spanish at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut and taught Spanish and French to students in Connecticut schools.

“My love of teaching first drew me to the Springs Learning Center to volunteer as a tutor,” says Anne Marie. “It brings me joy to see what is happening at the Springs and meet the learners. They are eager to learn because they want to improve their lives. I'm happy that we have been able to quickly match tutors with students in my short time here,” says Chuckrey.

Anne Marie’s vision for the future is to make sure there is a good roster of tutors for the Center. “We have a great need for tutors during the academic year of September through June. Ideally, we strive to have 40 to 45 tutors available for the learners who come to us for help.”

She also hopes to secure more funding for the Center's work. “There is a need for many things at the Springs – for instance, we would love to buy more books, but they are very expensive. For now, we buy books as needed. I hope to help organize a fundraising event to help fund operations. It costs $250 to support a student each year, $60 to buy books and supplies for each student and $100 to train a tutor. These are the basic costs of consumables - but we have rent, utilities, and other expenses. Many want to improve their skills for themselves, their families, and their communities. We just want to be able to continue to help make those things happen for them.”

To become a volunteer tutor, please call the Center at (203) 787-1025 (O) or (203) 780-1412 (M). You can apply via email at springslearning@oppeace.org.  Donations can be made on the Springs Learning Center website at https://springslearning.org.