NCW Libraries and Hand in Hand Immigration Services are partnering to offer weekly citizenship classes at the Wenatchee, Peshastin and Quincy libraries.
NCW Libraries will provide the space and Hand in Hand Immigration Services, a Wenatchee-based nonprofit, will provide the instruction, content, and materials. Class participants will learn about citizenship eligibility and requirements, the basics of U.S. history, and study and prepare for the citizenship exam and interview.
This new series of classes comes after two years of successful partnership and programming between the NCW Libraries Latino Services Department and Hand in Hand Immigration Services. Information sessions and citizenship classes have been offered at NCW Library locations in Moses Lake, Peshastin, Leavenworth, and Quincy. At least three of the students who took classes in Moses Lake have since become U.S. citizens. Several more students have pending appointments for their naturalization interviews.
“This partnership has been transformative in many ways. It has broken down barriers to citizenship while also strengthening community bonds,” said Claudia Bovee, Latino Services Manager for NCW Libraries. “People at different stages of their citizenship journey gain a deeper understanding of their eligibility and the steps required to achieve their dreams”
Classes will be offered at these locations and times through 2025.
Quincy Public Library
- Citizenship classes in Spanish: Thursdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
- Citizenship classes in English: Mondays (with two additional Tuesdays to make up for holidays), 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Wenatchee Public Library
- Citizenship classes in Spanish: Mondays, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Peshastin Public Library
- Citizenship classes in English: Tuesdays, 6-7:30 p.m.
Bovee added, “While they are learning and studying about civics, they are also building a community with their instructors and others attending the classes. They encourage each other and celebrate their collective successes. Many of them bring friends or family members into our spaces, creating a positive ripple effect of information-sharing. For some people, these classes represent their first opportunity to embark on this journey to citizenship.”
NCW Libraries’ Latino Services Department strives to connect the diverse Latino communities across NCW to vital community resources. The department works collaboratively with library staff and community partner organizations to remove barriers to life-changing resources and opportunities. This work aligns with NCW Libraries Strategic Direction to meet critical community needs through local and regional partnerships while increasing awareness and use of library services. Learn more at www.ncwlibraries.org.
Hand in Hand Immigration Services’ mission is to assist, motivate, and empower immigrants and their families to obtain U.S. citizenship. Their organization provides a trusted place where immigrants can get accurate, up-to-date information on the citizenship process and clarification of their particular requirements for citizenships. Legal assistance is conducted by case workers who have been accredited by the Department of Justice. Learn more at www.handinhandis.org.
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