CRDA Awards Grant to Atlantic Cape Community College for English as a Second Language Program

The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) issued a grant for nearly $50,000 to Atlantic Cape Community College for its English as a Second Language Program, the college announced on Wednesday, Dec. 5.

CRDA's grant came in the total of $48,625, Atlantic Cape officials said. The English as a Second Language Program is based out of the Charles D. Worthington Atlantic City campus, which allows the program to qualify under the Atlantic City Community Development Program, according to the college.

According to the college, the English as a Second Language Program educates thousands of foreign-born Atlantic City residents and workers each year to be better readers and speakers of English. The college says this education benefits the city's industries by educating valuable employees.

Earlier this year, Gov. Chris Christie signed legislation (S1323/A2575), which amended the current law that required the CRDA to devote all future assets and revenue to the Atlantic City Tourism District.

Last week, Ventnor Mayor Mike Bagnell asked Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno about the possibility of CRDA funding to help the shore area recover in the wake of Superstorm Sandy.

Earlier this year, Sen. Christopher J. Connors introduced legislation that would divert some CRDA funding to the Garden State Parkway Interchange project on Route 30 in Galloway, but no progress has been made on that legislation.

The grant CRDA provided to Atlantic Cape will allow the college to purchase 42 new computers for two computer labs in the Atlantic City campus, according to Atlantic Cape officials. The college will also be able to purchase iPads and vocabulary enhancing software and apps for English as a Second Language classrooms.

“The generosity of the CRDA is greatly appreciated by the entire ESL Department as our students will benefit from this updated technology on a daily basis," Kristi Bergman, chairperson, Department of ESL and Modern Languages at Atlantic Cape, said. "We are really looking forward to starting the spring semester in the new labs and to be offering the use of iPads in the classroom."

For more information on Atlantic Cape's English as a Second Language Program, visit http://bit.ly/SAvsit.