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2-1-1 SEPA - 2-1-1 SEPA
General Information
Description of Agency
Community Learning Center (CLC) is a nonprofit adult literacy organization that offers free classes in high school equivalency preparation (GED and HiSET), basic reading and math, workforce preparation, and English for speakers of other languages.
Mission
To help low-income adults in Philadelphia gain academic and employment skills so that they can realize their fullest potential at home and in the workforce.
History
In 1987, Ms. Jean Fleschute began an adult education program called Community Learning Center as part of the Program for Auxiliary Services for Students (PASS). Starting with 67 students, Ms. Fleschute taught classes in the Kensington and West Oak Lane neighborhoods of Philadelphia.
In 1994, Community Learning Center became independent of its parent organization, which by then had changed its name from PASS to Personal Resources Network (PRN), established 501(c)(3) status, constituted its own board of directors, and registered with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a nonprofit corporation. On July 1, 1996, CLC received grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Education under its new name.
In 2008, Ms. Fleschute stepped down as executive director and was replaced by Rebecca Serfass Wagner. In 2016, Carrie Kitchen-Santiago became executive director.
From 1987 to 2011, classes were held at sites in and around the Kensington section of North Philadelphia. In 2011, CLC moved its headquarters from 2801 Frankford Avenue (at Somerset Street) to 2701 North Broad Street (at Lehigh Avenue), also in North Philadelphia. In 2013, CLC opened a second site, 229 North 63rd Street (between Race and Vine Streets), in West Philadelphia. The West Philadelphia location is also the home of CLC’s PearsonVue-Authorized Test Center. Both CLC sites serve as campuses for myPLACE, an adult education assessment and referral service funded by Philadelphia’s Office of Adult Education.
Over the years CLC has offered classes throughout Philadelphia through partnerships with organizations offering services that complement CLC's. In 2016-2017, for example, CLC partnered with Philadelphia Works Inc. by offering classes at two PA CareerLink® sites--Suburban Station and West Philadelphia.
