Lisa to Lisa
Lisa to Lisa
By Chris Carbone
“Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.”
- John C. Maxwell
Indeed, change is hard. Change is beautiful—necessary, obviously (or maybe not, depending on who you ask). The only certainty in it is that it will happen. We are fortunate enough here at nOURish BRIDGEPORT to have a strong network of folks who are as community-anchored as we are, and who are ready to answer the call of service. Lisa Sandstrom is one of those folks.
Lisa took over as Program Director of nOURish BRIDGEPORT’s English Language & Citizenship Classes last year, and has taken the program to exciting new places. Now that she is settled into the position, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on this most vital and beloved program. It has grown exponentially, with current registration numbers close to 150 students (the largest to date), but started out much smaller—under a different name, in a different building, and even under the directorship of a different Lisa.
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Lisa Matson started the English as a Second Language program at nOURish BRIDGEPORT in September, 2014. “In June of 2014 I retired after 32 years as a Catholic School educator and administrator, but I was looking for a second career. One day, as I was leaving church at 877 Park Ave, another member asked me if I was available to help three Spanish-speaking women in the neighborhood with their English.”
The capacious old building on Park Avenue afforded the ability to operate several of our direct-service programs at once. “It worked out really well—the women would get their groceries and then come to class. Another church member would make a small dinner; we ate together and we studied together.”
"By the time we moved to 2200 North Avenue, we had 12 students studying English. Most were Spanish speaking, but one student was Chinese and another from the Near East spoke Arabic." Once settled here, the Connecticut Institute for Immigrants and Refugees (CIRI) asked if they could send some more students our way—causing the student count to nearly double in size.
By 2017, there were students from all over the globe. “It was clear that I could no longer do this alone and began to ask for volunteers. I had a friend who was a retired teacher, and he was quick to jump in. He brought a friend and Susan, who is now the CEO of CIRI, and was a huge help.”
But, as for most others, the COVID-19 Pandemic put this booming progress on hold. “We offered weekly meetings by Facetime. It was an opportunity for those who wished to at least have some English conversation. We practiced vocabulary and tried our best to be a lifeline in those scary months. We delivered groceries to as many of our families as possible.” The COVID-era restrictions forced Lisa M. and her teachers to make some tough calls that actually, in its own serendipitous way, ended up helping the program to evolve for the bigger and better. “We started back with 10 people, no food and no children. As the numbers began to rise we realized that we accomplished much more without the dinner and the kids. We made a hard decision to continue the program for adults only and for 2 hours each week. Our numbers have grown steadily since and we registered 75 adults for all 3 sessions during my last year, the 2024-2025 school year.”
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While this was all happening, Lisa Sandstrom was busy researching nonprofits in Bridgeport for a work outreach project when she came across nOURish BRIDGEPORT’s website. Fascinated by nOURish INDOOR FARM and even more impressed by the variety of other direct-service programs we provide, she and her husband began to slowly get more and more involved with nOURish. They volunteered at our Thanksgiving food drive, Feast-In-A-Box, and then in our Super Food Pantry shortly thereafter. “I eventually met the director (Lisa M.) of the English program and she invited me to observe a class which was really an impressive experience. Learning how it started, and then seeing it in action and how much it had grown was amazing! I subbed for a volunteer who was absent one week and a short time later, Lisa M. announced that she was planning to retire. Two days later, we met and the rest is history!”
“During that last year I knew that the time for me to step aside was coming. My husband and I were dreaming of retiring in the Berkshires…” Lisa M. recalls. “I spoke to Rev. Sara about beginning to look for someone who would love it as much as I did. It was truly a dream come true when Lisa Sandstrom walked through the door. I knew pretty quickly that she had the same heart for the students and her skills would surpass mine.”
However, even given the beacon of light and progress surrounding the forthcoming directorship of Lisa S., Lisa M. couldn’t simply walk away. She founded the program and had been its only director since. She was in its very DNA. This is not a case of “founder’s syndrome,” though—hardly. For Lisa Matson has a preternatural ability to seek after a greater good. Her decision to stay on as co-director through Lisa S’s first semester was both propelled by and evidence of this skill of hers. Two weeks; even a month’s notice was no way to depart from all of the students and families with whom she generated some of the most lasting and meaningful bonds of both of their lives.
Lisa S. seconded this decision whole-heartedly. “I completely understood her hesitation to simply train me for a short time and then walk away…I appreciated Lisa’s desire for a longer transition and a gentler exit…Over those months, we learned from one another. I gained a deeper understanding of the program’s systems, curriculum, and the individual needs of our students. At the same time, Lisa (M.) welcomed my fresh perspective and new ideas for growth.” The biggest change was moving the program from one night to two every week.“My number one focus is developing program lessons and resources for students that are relevant to their learning journey. In our trimester model, lessons are predominantly theme-based (e.g., Health & Wellness, Food & Community, English for Work), so I am continually looking for curriculum content that aligns with each theme while keeping students' literacy levels, goals, and learning capacity in mind.” Another element she strives for in class is to make the learning fun. “Adult learners choose to be in class while balancing the demands of work, family, and so much more. Keeping lessons fresh and engaging helps foster their curiosity, participation, and confidence.” In Lisa S’s opinion, the volunteers and young assistants who help out every week are the backbone of the program. As she sends out lesson plans and curriculum materials, she always ends her emails with, “Thank you for all you do. We couldn’t do what we do without you.” She means every word. Our volunteers are excited to help and engage with the community, and whether they are new to the team or returning after six-plus years, we appreciate every semester, every lesson and, truly, every minute of their dedication. To watch them teach and learn along with the students each week is to witness a beautiful cultural exchange in action.
During the transitional period, the two Lisas formed a strong friendship—one marked by many surprising connections (their birthdays are just two days apart). From an objective standpoint, one of the most moving qualities the two women share is the way they go above and beyond for their students; even outside the classroom. “I can go on and on about all of the students and children of students who I see, keep in touch with and feel so proud of,” says Lisa M. On top of designing lesson plans and overseeing volunteers and class every week, Lisa M took the time to vet Nayari Pimentil for the role of bookkeeper at United Congregational Church of Bridgeport. “She did a fabulous job for several years. She became a citizen [and] brought her husband to the U.S.”
“I have had the honor of loving and supporting Mishi Abeha,” Lisa M. continues. “Mishi was born in Tanzania. She was one of the children who went to ESL with her mom in those years when we had 35 children running around. Mishi always wanted homework help and she was determined to get good grades. She graduated from 8th grade as the number 1 student in her class…She will attend Southern Connecticut State University in the fall and she hopes to become an RN.”
Similarly, Lisa S. spends a considerable amount of time outside of the classroom helping students with job searches, as well as the pursuit of numerous goals that are important to them. “This is one of the most rewarding parts of my role because it allows me to build stronger relationships and get to know each student beyond the classroom.” Knowing them; however, is also to know their struggles. “To be honest, it's a challenging time for many immigrants and refugees in our country. There's no sugarcoating it. Whether someone has been in the U.S. for six months or sixteen years, many are feeling uncertain about the present and are fearful of what the future holds.” She continues, “Each student in our program has a unique story, much of which we may never fully know. Before joining us, some may have experienced trauma, limited access to education, unsupported learning disabilities, or other significant barriers. Our goal is to meet students where they are, support their learning journey, strengthen their literacy skills for everyday life and work, and plant seeds of confidence and empowerment as they move toward greater independence and self-sufficiency.”
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Mark Twain once said, “travel is fatal to prejudice.” This quote could be applied, ironically enough, to the Adult English Education classes (the name we know it under today) at nOURish BRIDGEPORT. Sure, over the last twelve years, the program has mostly taken place within the four walls of a building in Bridgeport. But within those walls every Monday (and now Tuesday) night are folks from every corner of the globe. Our volunteers and students alike have traveled to different countries through interaction with their fellow learners, teachers, and, above all, human beings. Our students gain knowledge, our volunteer teachers gain the satisfaction of service, and, under a great leader, all involved achieve connection—a common goal between the two Lisas.
“Our students are incredibly inspiring because of their determination and eagerness to learn and grow. They are motivated to improve their English so they can support their children, pursue better employment opportunities, move beyond underemployment, and feel more connected to their new communities. They also bring an extraordinary sense of gratitude to the classroom. They appreciate every lesson, every hour a volunteer gives, every friendship they build, every special event, and every opportunity to learn. Watching that growth—and being a small part of their journey—is one of the greatest privileges of my work,” says Lisa S.
The baton has been passed. The fire of hope and progress will remain alight in the hearts of our students.While Lisa S looks ahead with a fierce commitment to this work, Lisa M has a legacy whose foundation is built of the same to look back on: “It has been a true privilege to walk these years and miles with so many beautiful people who just want what my own great grandparents wanted, a better life for their children.”