Accola

At Accola, we connect people to skills, to services, and to one another - so each person can reach their full potrential, and we as a community can be strong and resilient. Accola (which translates to "neighbor") grew out of the 30+ years of work by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. Now together in an integrated whole, Accola's programs:

• improve opportunity for immigrants through education
• provide safe housing and supportive services for women as they heal from trauma
• connect people's spirituality to social justice action

Each program, while distinct, works together as a whole that is grounded in community, connectivity, and creating opportunities. 

Accola brings together three programs:

•    Learning In Style School provides quality education in English, computer skills, and citizenship in a supportive and respectful environment. Through professional teachers, hundreds of immigrants and refugees from 40+ countries benefit from a comprehensive curriculum combined with small class sizes to gain the tools they need to succeed in their new community.

•    Sarah's... an Oasis for Women is a home dedicated to safety and dignity of women who have survived violence, war, and trauma. Sarah's connects residents to social services, education, job preparation, and healthcare so they can begin new lives. 

•    Wisdom Ways Center for Spirituality provides programs that serve people of all faiths and those who are non-religious. Our goal is to grow in understanding and love of our neighbors and ourselves to become better equipped to act with purpose, working toward a more just and joyful world. 

No community can flourish when individuals are left behind. That's why Accola serves as a place of opportunity and connection. Every class, every safe night of housing, and every conversation that spakrs an action for justice is part of something bigger: building a community of strong individuals centered on care, connection, and justice. 

Whether you've donated, volunteered, or simply taken time to learn more about our work, you are a vital part of what it means to be a good neighbor.