Veterans Journal: Many services available, including free classes

Free humanities classes for college credit

Mark Santow, an American history professor at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth who lives in Providence, has directed a program called the Clemente Course in the Humanities for the past 14 years in New Bedford. Clemente is a national program that provides free, seminar-style humanities classes for college credit to people dealing with economic insecurity.

Santow recently received a large grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to create a Clemente Course for veterans in Providence. Tuition is free, along with childcare and transportation.

Classes run from Jan. 24 through early May and will be held at Trinity Repertory Co., at 45 Aborn St. Classes will take place on Monday and Thursday evenings, from 6 to 8 p.m. The program is open to all veterans regardless of discharge status, although Santow hopes to especially reach those veterans having difficulty transitioning from their service time back to the community. Student veterans can earn three credits without using any VA benefits. Childcare is available for free, with experienced educators from Trinity Rep providing drama games and instruction for the kids.