Workforce Language Services

Filtration Group, a Santa Rosa company, treated its non-English speaking employees to a two-fold language learning program.  The classroom instruction not only focused on workplace English, but also on education literacy to help employees in guiding their children through their schooling.

The three-part program was coordinated by the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce, Santa Rosa City Schools and the California Parenting Institute.

Instructor Marjam Karapetien teaches the course through Lewis Adult School and Community-Based English Tutoring, a state program that provides free or subsidized English programs to those who will assist schoolchildren.

Other companies have hosted literacy events and given away books, but Filtration Group was the first local company to put all three elements together.

“We thought, ‘Why don’t we pitch in and help the parents help their children graduate,” said Estela Prado, the company’s human resources administrator.

But the company had an eye for the business benefits too, she said.

The Santa Rosa, CA Press Democrat has the full article.