Page 49 - Wallingford Magazine Issue 56 Autumn 2025

ceive COVID-19 vaccines and other ba- and South America so that employment has, for the past two years, determined
sic health screening such as measuring opportunities are open to them when that having a good job is a key to a suc-
blood pressure and glucose levels in the they have mastered the language of cessful life and family in today’s society
blood. SCOW provided the publicity for their new homeland. Presently there and ths is focusing much of their effort
the health clinics, and large organiza- are both well-attended morning and and resources on this.
tions such as Hartford Healthcare, Grif- evening sessions held at SCOW.
fin Health brought their mobile clinics In conclusion, it is fair to say that the
and personnel to SCOW. Conversational Spanish classes are Spanish Community of Wallingford has
taught by a Spanish teacher hired by grown much stronger because of the
This collaboration made for extremely SCOW. They offer beginner and inter- COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, the staff
well-attended events, and this vehicle mediate Spanish classes in 10-week could have allowed this terrible situa-
of bringing people needing services and sessions. The rising number of employ- tion to irreparably damage their agency.
professionals providing them together ees whose first language is Spanish has But instead, they rolled up their sleeves,
has now been taking place for over five made these classes popular with many dug in and accepted the challenge. They
years. The clinics which at one time ad- employers. adapted to the difficult environment of
dressed only health issues have diversi- the time, realigned their programs, re-
fied to include many other needs issues. For the past five years, SCOW has held cruited more staff, secured strong and
classes in “digital literacy” where indi- positive relationships with other social
Today, the Spanish Community of Wall- viduals develop basic and intermediate service providers, and built a stronger
ingford has hosted events that clients computer skills. In today’s work environ- and more resilient organization.
come to for a wide variety of assistance. ment, such skills have become essen-
Representatives from the Wallingford tial. While many of those taking these The ”new” SCOW weathered the diffi-
Board of Education, Wallingford Adult classes have found them challenging, cult years and has emerged a far stron-
Education, the Youth and Social Services they have also found that successful ger and more consequential part of
Department, the YMCA and even the mastering of these skills prepares them Wallingford’s social service foundation.
Red Cross have been at these events. for advancement in the workplace and Every staff member involved can be
Through this work, SCOW has also de- improves self-sufficiency. proud of the part they played in doing
veloped strong ties with the Wallingford so. They succeeded both because they
Dept.of Health, the Wallingford Public Workforce development itself has be- changed their services and the way they
Library, Masters Manna, the Connecti- come a primary focus of SCOW. While are delivered, and also because they
cut Department of Health, and Commu- the agency has always assisted clients to maintained their well-earned reputa-
nity Health Center in Meriden, to name find employment, this aspect of helping tion as a friendly and welcoming place
just a few of the many organizations clients has become a primary function. for people to seek assistance from peo-
SCOW now partners with. The emphasis begins as early as middle ple that really care about them . It is, in
school in the Pasos Adelante program, short, a very special place built by very
Educational programs open to the en- continues for those wishing to enter the special people.
tire Wallingford community are held workplace after high school in the Ad-
throughout the year. English-as-a-Sec- elante America program, and is also a
ond-Language (ESL) classes conducted key focus for adults seeking better jobs.
by Wallingford Adult Ed are especially SCOW works closely with the United
important for new arrivals from Central Way of Meriden and Wallingford, which

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