Life Long Learning
Life Long Learning Curriculum

With the help of coaches and mentors, participants in our programs develop a life plan that will guide them from homelessness to self-sufficiency.  A key part of this plan is participation in Life Long Learning.  The Life Long Learning program addresses many of the problems that contribute to homelessness including sobriety, personal safety issues, lack of education and life skills, computer literacy, and the need for career development. To provide optimum chances for success in life, our focus is on eight vital competencies to help people achieve success.

These competencies include:
  • Income self-sufficiency
  • Employment
  • Housing
  • Education
  • Positive social and daily living skills including positive parenting
  • Positive physical health including sobriety
  • Positive mental health also encompassing issues around grief and loss and spirituality
  • Personal responsibility including good citizenship, personal safety and meeting legal needs.

Life Long Learning Centers - Service Delivery

Two Life Long Learning Centers provide more than 100 programs and classes. While learning takes place at every level of our services, delivery of the program is coordinated by the Life Long Learning Team and occurs in five primary ways:

  • Classroom Instruction – Professional educators offer classes that often span several weeks to small groups of no more than 10 to 15 people at a time. These are often classes on career development and how to find, get and keep a job as well as parenting classes and courses that address any of the eight competencies.

  • Individualized Instruction – Volunteer tutors and staff work one on one with participants who may be studying to complete their high school education or improve their computer skills. We also offer individualized computer tutorials which allow participants to learn at their own pace.

  • Workshops – Community volunteers offer workshops on an
    on-going regular basis which are open to LifeWorks program participants as well as persons served by any of our partnering agencies in the community. Workshops generally occur on a weekly basis.

  • Situational Learning – Coaches and mentors within each residential program provide daily feedback, guidance and support for participants in keeping with goals of the eight competency areas. Each member of our staff role models life long learning in everything we do.

  • Internships – Program participants have the opportunity to practice positive employment and workplace skills by preparing resumes, completing applications, and interviewing for internships offered within LifeWorks. The internships provide a safe learning environment with constructive guidance and feedback.  This is extremely helpful in providing valuable work experience and training in order to achieve higher paying jobs in the community.

  • Opportunities for Volunteers – Volunteers are needed in Life Long Learning to work as individual tutors for program participants, to provide child care for parents while they attend classes or workshops, to offer assistance in our computer labs and to present workshops and classes.  If you would like to find out more about volunteer opportunities, please contact Elaine Osowski, Director of Voluntary Services at Elaine@Stlukeslifeworks.org.


141 Franklin Street Stamford, Connecticut 06901  (203) 388-0100
Coming Up
“I’ve benefited a great deal by having access to the Learning Center.  Thanks to John and Jim I have received help in areas that I wouldn’t have gotten from anywhere else.  I’ve learned things on the computer that have really helped increase my knowledge.” 



- Lyra Watkins, Womens Housing Program


“I am glad that the Life Long Learning Center is here because it helps us to keep learning and Jim and John are great people to have helping you.  I want to say thank you to them both.  Thanks to the Life Long Learning Center, I am returning to school to get my degree in Health Management and Accounting.” 

- Stacey Johnson, Family Housing Program 

Read what our program participants have to say about their experiences with Life Long Learning!



Contact Information:


    Jim Bingham
    Director of Life Long Learning
    John Dunn
    Program Administrator
    Elaine Osowski
    Director of Voluntary Services 
    Mirlande Pressat
    Director of Youth Services
    Denise DuBose
    IT Educator




Workshops sponsored by
St. Luke’s LifeWorks are open to all persons served by the agency, as well as employees of St. Luke’s LifeWorks and persons served by any agencies in the greater Stamford area.


           St. Luke's
LifeWorks


Where People Learn a Living