With the support of our community, in 2021, despite the challenges of the pandemic and the barriers to virtual instruction:

• 152 learners in our Conversation Groups improved their understanding and speaking confidence
• 67 learners in our Tutoring Program improved their English and achieved at least one life goal
• 17 learners enrolled in our 15-week Career Group Program; 9 secured employment in their professional field
• 6 learners applied for a job in the U.S. for the first time
• 6 learners attended a community event for the very first time
• 3 learners enrolled in post-secondary education
• 2 learners obtained citizenship

In addition, 75% of these learners, when surveyed, responded that they would recommend EAL programs to friends and family, 75% have made friends and supportive connections and 52% responded that our programs have substantially improved their quality of life.

Meet Our CAL Learners

The Career Access Lab addresses the need of highly-skilled and credentialed immigrants for support in navigating the U.S. workforce.  CAL provides instruction, resume review and mock interview skill practice and career mentor support to help local immigrants realize their career potential.  In 2019, 90% of CAL learners obtained employment in their professional field. Meet just a few of these professionals here….

Meet Kathy and Babak

Kathy and Babak are learners in the English At Large One-to-One Tutoring Program. As a married couple they came to the United States with their son from Iran in 2010.

They spoke little English and the transition was hard for the family — they had no relatives in the area. They had no one to guide them on how much an apartment should cost, where to live, how to rent a car, or provide other vital information.

“When we came here we didn’t have anything and it was hard” explains Kathy. This process was made harder by the language barrier. “We didn’t know English, and it was horrible.”  Read more …