H7G Spanish Language Classes Strengthen Connections at The Salem Pantry
In the fall of 2025, a dedicated group of Salem Pantry volunteers seized the opportunity to enhance their service to the greater Salem community by learning Spanish. The House of the Seven Gables sponsored classes for Salem Pantry volunteers who participated in a weekly language course designed specifically to improve communication with Pantry clients whose primary language is Spanish. Classes were held at The Gables’ Immigration and Education Center—an ideal setting where learning and community support naturally go hand in hand.
The course was taught by instructor Mercedes Padrino Anderson, whose enthusiasm and expertise made every session both engaging and practical. From basic greetings and everyday vocabulary to food-related phrases and cultural conversation tips, volunteers gained valuable tools to help ensure clients feel welcomed, understood, and respected. Participants were thrilled with the progress they made over the weeks of instruction and expressed great appreciation for the chance to build stronger connections across languages.
Building Bright Futures: Training Tomorrow’s Educators Today
Empowering multilingual learners through hands-on experience and collaboration
The House of the Seven Gables Settlement Association is proud to announce an exciting initiative supporting nine students on their journey to becoming Early Childhood educators. This collaborative project, developed in partnership with The Community Group and The YMCA of the Northshore, marks a significant milestone: for the first time, instructional materials are being delivered in English with the support of our ESL team.
ESL teacher Victoria Titukh and our program manager are co-teaching alongside two instructors from The Community Group, ensuring that students, representing three different languages, receive comprehensive training tailored to their needs. All participants have successfully completed First Aid and CPR certification and are now preparing for interviews at local YMCA daycare centers and privately operated childcare facilities.
The ECE Apprenticeship program combines paid internships with academic learning. Apprentices will attend in-person training one day per week for 12 weeks while working. In addition, each student has received their own Chromebook to use for their online coursework as they work toward their Early Childhood certificate. This initiative exemplifies our commitment to education, collaboration, and community empowerment.