Grants will help fund NICC's English as a Second Language programs

The Winneshiek County Community Foundation has given a $3,000 grant to the NICC Foundation to provide funding for an ongoing Adult Literacy Student Support Fund that distributes needs-based assistance to support Winneshiek County residents who seek GED and ESOL.

In Winneshiek County alone, 9.2 percent of adults age 25 and over do not have a high school diploma or GED and at least 4 percent speak a language other than English at home.

A $500 grant through the Howard County Community Foundation will provide additional support for a similar fund to provide assistance to residents of Howard County. Both grants will provide testing and program fee waivers, books, supplies and additional support as best serves Winneshiek County and Howard County residents' educational needs and goals. NICC has similar grant-funded support funds in Dubuque, Fayette, Allamakee and Chickasaw counties.