New Partnership with Catholic Charities Brings EnglishConnect to Refugee ESL Program

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (March 5, 2025) – Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend (CCFWSB) is excited to announce a new partnership with EnglishConnect, a program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), to offer English as a Second Language (ESL) classes to clients.

Starting earlier this month, the ESL classes are designed to help clients improve their English skills, opening doors to greater self-sufficiency. Held weekly at the Autumn Woods Apartments, the classes are taught by dedicated members of the LDS Church, using their proven EnglishConnect curriculum for beginners and intermediate learners.

“The main goals of the Refugee Resettlement program are economic self-sufficiency and community integration,” said Nyein Chan, Director of Refugee Services at CCFWSB. “Mastering English is crucial for our clients to integrate into the community. With the right tools, they can connect with neighbors, embrace the culture, and secure employment.”

“Increased English proficiency can improve and expand service, employment, and educational opportunities for participants,” said David S. Kinard, Area Seventy Indiana Indianapolis Coordinating Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “EnglishConnect has brought together more than 100,000 learners from more than 100 countries to learn in an environment of faith, fellowship and growth and we’re excited for this partnership and what it means for clients in the Fort Wayne area.”

#   #   #

About Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend:

Catholic Charities is a private 501 (c) 3 incorporated in the state of Indiana to act as the coordinating and administrative agency for the charitable activities assigned to it by the Bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend; to plan for, initiate, direct, support and coordinate Catholic social-services programs for the spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical welfare of persons in need; to seek and determine the causes of social problems in order to better promote preventative social-action programs; to participate in community planning and organization, and work cooperatively with other individuals and groups in the field of social work. The service area for Catholic Charities includes the 14 counties of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, encompassing 2,236 square miles, with a population of 1,247,850. Currently, Catholic Charities has offices in Fort Wayne (Allen County), Auburn (DeKalb County), and South Bend (St. Joseph County), Indiana. In Fiscal Year 2022-2023, CCFWSB served over 21,000 individuals at a fiscally responsible rate of 88 cents of every dollar dedicated to client services. The agency’s mission is to serve all those in need as Christ calls us to do.

About the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints strives to follow the example of Jesus Christ in all things, including those in our own faith and those not of our faith. Charity, or love of our fellow men and women, is a source of joy. The Church has had a presence in the state of Indiana since 1831 and has a membership nearing 48,000 with 102 local congregations.