Every year in May the Somerville Center for Adult Learning Experiences (SCALE) hosts a fundraising walk-a-thon to support their community of Adult Learners.

This year marks the 13th annual walk that SCALE will host, inviting neighbors, local business owners, guests and the families of our teachers, students, and staff to join.
In years past, the SCALE Walk-A-Thon has seen over 100 walkers, earning more than $4,000 in monetary donation for the program’s student scholarship fund. The fund supports students in their endeavors to increase employability, take summer classes that continue language and life skills development, assist with the costs of books or exam fees, and help them to achieve much needed benchmarks to move their lives forward.
SCALE’s student body is made up of over 600 adult learners, many of whom live now or have lived in the city of Somerville. The Adult Basic Education and English Language Learner Programs offer classes that are free to the public and enrollment is open from September until April.
For nearly all students attending SCALE, the goal is to acquire proficiency in English and Math and pass the state’s High School Equivalency exams. In doing so, these adult learners will be eligible for better employment, college enrollment, job related promotions and other types of advancement. SCALE’s services, however, do not stop strictly at academics.
The program is woven together with dedicated Student Support faculty and administration, skilled subject assessors, committed counselors—many of whom are dual language—as well as year -long volunteers. A majority of students attend class for over 130 hours a year, working toward and meeting self and teacher-selected goals to help each individual assimilate, learn the culture and customs, and reach self-efficacy. Students are taken on field trips to learn about the resources in our cities, are invited to showcase talents and skills to other students, and can volunteer to join SCALE in an annual theater production that promotes civic engagement and equality.
The Walk-A-Thon is a way for SCALE to spread awareness and elicit community support. Much of the student body balances two jobs, child care, and part time schooling. By endowing adult learners with the skills to move ahead in their own lives, they are better able to support themselves and become critical components to their children’s experience in public education.
This year’s walk is on:
FRIDAY May 8th, 2015, 8am-9am
Beginning and Ending at SCALE
on 167 Holland Street, Somerville, MA. 02144
Everyone is invited to walk with SCALE, regardless of whether a donation is made. We support our community and local business, and want our students to experience the value in having their success encouraged.
If you would like to make a donation, you may contact
Doreen Curreri at dcurreri@k12.somerville.ma.us
Or phone her @ 617 625 6600
Ext. 6928.
If you wish to make an anonymous, tax deductible donation, or contribution in the form of a gift card, you can write a check to:
“Friends of SCALE”
Or mail your alternate contribution to:
Somerville Center for Adult Learning Experiences (SCALE)
Doreen Curreri
167 Holland Street
Somerville, Mass. 02144
WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!