PROVIDENCE -- "I will take my GED soon, and I will pass because it is my dream to be a nurse." Ana Bautista, a student of English as a Second Language.
Many might applaud Ana Bautista, who left the Dominican Republic for the United States to improve her life and those of her children.
"But my son doesn't want to marry someone like his mother, someone who only cooks and cleans," Bautista told more than 300 people at Calvary Baptist Church during a meeting to push for increased adult-literacy services.
"He wants someone who is a professional," Bautista said -- someone with the gift of literacy.
Bautista now studies English at a local church, and "I will take my GED soon, and I will pass," she said, "because it is my dream to be a nurse."
But there are thousands of people in Rhode Island who will never achieve their professional goals because they are shut out of English-as-a-Second-Language classes.
Bautista was one of several immigrants who testified as part of Thursday's "Opportunity For All" agenda, sponsored by the Rhode Island Organizing Project, a faith-based organization of churches, labor unions and community groups.
As part of a two-year campaign, RIOP wants the governor's office and the legislature to spend an additional $1.4 million for adult basic education in fiscal year 2004.
And, RIOP sought pledges from Governor Carcieri and House and Senate leaders to improve basic education in Rhode Island "so that everyone who is now on a waiting list can get into a class." (According to RIOP, more than 2,000 Rhode Islanders are on waiting lists for ESL and general equivalency diploma classes.)
Carcieri sent a representative to the meeting who made those promises. Senate Majority Leader William Irons and House Speaker William Murphy, who were invited, did not attend.
"As you may know, Governor Carcieri has proposed to triple investments in adult education and literacy programs in our state," said Patricia Martinez, Carcieri's communications director.
"He knows that for our state to prosper, the state has to invest in social services," said Martinez." Amy F. Robins, senior project manager for Jobs for the Future in Boston, underscored the need for investment in adult literacy.
According to a report commissioned by Jobs for the Future, "New England faces a severe literacy crisis -- with 41 percent lacking literacy skills. When four out of 10 adults cannot participate effectively in the work force, our economic future is threatened," she said.
Compared to other New England states, "Rhode Island has the highest percentage of adults who lack the necessary skills," Robins said, "yet Rhode Island invests the least in adult educational services."
"People will tell you that Rhode Island cannot afford to increase its investment in adult literacy, that the state budget is at shortfall and the economy is hurting," said Robins.
"But if the state is not ready to invest, the state will not be prepared to move forward when the economy turns around," she said. "The time for Rhode Island to make economic investments in its work force is now."
RIOP leaders said they were disappointed that neither Senate Leader Irons, nor House Speaker Murphy, attended.
Kojo King, of RIOP, said, "Neither the Senate president nor the speaker of the House, despite repeat invitations, found it worth it to show up tonight. It makes me wonder whether these gentlemen are concerned about opportunities for all."
Those who did attend included state Sen. Juan Pichardo and state Rep. Leon Tejeda, who pledged their assistance.
