Literacy & Life Skills Program

Our Largest & Longest-Standing Program

Mercy Learning Center’s Literacy and Life Skills Program provides our students the opportunity to learn English, acquire basic academic skills, become active members of their community, earn a high school diploma, and obtain their first job and/or employment with higher wages.  It is open to women of all backgrounds and all services are free.

Full & Part-Time Classes

The Literacy & Life Skills core curriculum includes full-time and part-time classroom instruction that includes English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, Adult Basic Education classes, computer classes and enrichment workshops. Our dedicated staff is a combination of certified teachers and highly-trained tutors.

Students often move back and forth between the part-time and full-time programs depending on their needs—and the needs of their families—at any point in time. The amount of time a student spends at MLC also varies greatly. While one student might be with us for six months, another might be with us for six years, or even longer!

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Shared Stories

mami's story

Mami Ngombabu, a student, mother, wife, and registered nurse, embodies the motto of Mercy Learning Center, which emphasizes the importance of educating women to educate families. She arrived in Bridgeport as a refugee from South Africa in 2001, fleeing the civil war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Despite limited English knowledge, Mami was determined to build a better life for her family, leaving behind her parents and siblings.

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Testimonials

From Our Students & Volunteers

Mercy Learning Center is the best place to learn!!! I’m a single mother and I got the opportunity to learn English. They provided me a lot of help since I was alone with my son.

Eva

Former MLC student

The most important thing I learned at Mercy Learning Center was how to ask for help when I need it.

Maria

Former MLC student

It’s never too late to start with your dreams.

Sonia

Former MLC student, recent HS graduate

The childcare at Mercy Learning Center gives me the opportunity to study and be confident that my baby is safe while he is learning too!

Ana

MLC student

This is a school of opportunity for women to learn English, computers & many other life skills. I am happy & feel blessed to study at Mercy Learning Center. It is my favorite place.

Sandra

MLC student

One day I want to help others the same way you have helped me to become a better person, scholar, and citizen.

Olivia

MLC student

Thanks to Mercy Learning Center, my education has gone above and beyond anything I could have imagined.

Michelle

MLC student

I started attending English class at Mercy Learning Center, which was the best thing that had happened in my life

Clarisa

MLC student

Everyday I feel more confident speaking English and now I can help my kids with their school homework.

Victoria

MLC student

Mercy has helped me trust myself more and to know that anything I put effort into is possible. I am very proud of myself and my family as well.

Daysie

MLC student

Getting my high school diploma means there are many doors that are going to be open for me in the future.

Genesis

MLC student

The most important thing I learned at Mercy Learning Center is to be confident and trust that I can do It.

Maritza

MLC student

At Mercy Learning Center, I learned different things that are going to help me in my future as a student and also in my daily life.

Amy

MLC student

I have wonderful classmates and the best teacher, who helps me to understand math without worries.

Virginia

MLC graduate

This school helps many women for different things. I always recommend this school when I speak with other women.

Gabriela

MLC student

Every time I walk through the doors of Mercy Learning Center, my heart lifts.

John

Volunteer Tutor

Finally, I found a place where I can make a difference.

Erica

Volunteer Tutor

I am doing something significant and I am a better person because of my association with these incredible women.

Susan

Volunteer Tutor

It is a gift to know that I have helped these women achieve such successes and that this is only the beginning for them.

Anne

Volunteer Tutor

Flexible to meet our students needs

We are flexible. We meet our students where they are, regardless of their life circumstances. The fluidity in our programming is critical to keeping students engaged in their learning.

As our students learn more English, they are able to advance to learn basic reading, writing and math skills. Some of them go on to take advantage of our high school equivalency programs.

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Contact us to learn more!

If you are interested in attending classes at Mercy Learning Center, call us to set up an appointment to register. Our programs are free of charge and available to women ages 17 and older who do not have a United States high school diploma.

contact us today