The Department of Homeland Security recently announced that it is awarding Goodwill Industries of Kansas a $122,000 grant that will allow the non-profit organization to provide citizenship integration services to communities, as well as students in its adult education program – NexStep Alliance – over the next two years. Goodwill received the funding based on its innovative approach to delivery via its mobile digital skills lab. Goodwill’s mobile laboratory is a classroom on wheels that will bring citizenship integration services to areas of need.
In addition to offering the classroom through its mobile lab, NexStep Alliance students will be able to enroll in a citizenship class where instructors will assist them in studying for the US Civics exam, practice for the citizenship interview, and connect them with additional resources for a better understanding of the naturalization process.
“Goodwill has a history of innovation in our approach to empower Kansans with workforce solutions,” said Laura Ritterbush, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Kansas. “By forging a path to citizenship, we provide opportunities for individuals and communities and help support businesses in our local area.”
NexStep Alliance began offering the Citizenship class internally to its ESL students in January of 2023 and is targeting June 2023 for its mobile program. Organizations that are interested in bringing the program to their area can inquire at www.goodwillks.org.
