The founder and senior executive director of Carson City-based English Language Learners In-Home program is asking the community for financial help after suffering a $25,000 deficit that needs to be replenished by the end of this month.
“In 18 years, we have never found ourselves in this position,” said Florence Phillips in an open letter regarding the nationally recognized program she established, which prepares people seeking U.S. citizenship with reading and English language skills. “It breaks my heart to think of having to close abruptly after so many years, especially when we have grown so much recently.”
Phillips, the daughter of immigrants, built the organization, which provides free English and citizenship classes to immigrants in Nevada. In 2018 Phillips was among 10 people recognized by CNN Heroes, an annual event highlighting Americans helping Americans. She’s also earned the Lifetime Achievement Award through the Nevada Governor’s Points of Light program. English Language Learners has also been recognized by Microsoft and the Manhattan Institute.
The following is the letter, explaining the need and how to help.
Dear Friends of the English Language Learners In-Home Program,
It is with trepidation, hope, and immense humility that I write to you all with the news that the English Language Learners In-Home Program suddenly has a severe budget shortfall.
In 18 years, we have never found ourselves in this position. We have been extraordinarily lucky that our grant applications were always successful and we have never had to turn to our wonderful community of tutors and learners for funding. But right now we need your help.
It breaks my heart to think of having to close abruptly after so many years, especially when we have grown so much recently. When we went online because of the pandemic, our program expanded to 39 U.S. states and 34 foreign countries. Also, we currently have over 162 waiting to learn English language skills. Clearly, there is a need for the service we provide, and we want to keep providing it.
Currently, we need $25,000 by the end of April in order to keep our doors open and pay our staff next month. Hopefully, this emergency funding will buy us some time to figure out the next steps and explore other funding options. You have already given so much to the program, so I really hesitated to ask you for more, but we are very much in need.
Would you consider making a donation to help us continue our work? We would be truly grateful for any amount. You can make a donation online at www.eslinhome.org/donate/ or the old-fashioned way by mailing a check payable to ELL In-Home Program at 1894 E. William St. #4-125, Carson City, NV 89701. (Questions call 775-888-2021.)
As many of you know, our ELL program has been my heart and my joy for nearly 20 years. I never imagined we could make the impact that we have made, and I hope we can keep making a difference. Please consider making a donation. Every little bit helps.
With deepest gratitude,
Florence G. Phillips, Founder and Executive Director
