In Her Presence

WORKING TO FURTHER A THRIVING IMMIGRANT COMMNUNITY IN MAINE BY LIFTING THE LANGUAGE BARRIER AND SUPPORTING THE CAREER TRAJECTORY AND FINANCIAL STABILITY OF IMMIGRANT WOMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES.

EDUCATION LANGUAGE ACQUISITION. OUR FIND YOUR VOICE CURRICULUM BUILDS CONFIDENCE AS WELL AS SKILLS. WHETHER BEGINNER OR ADVANCED ENGLISH LEARNERS, OUR COURSES HELP IMMIGRANT WOMEN OF COLOR UNDERSTAND THEIR VALUE AND UNTAP THEIR POTENTIAL THROUGH CULTURALLY SENSITIVE LESSONS AND COURAGEOUS DIALOGUE. IN ADDITION TO ENGLISH LANGUAGE CLASSES, WE ALSO OFFER STORYTELLING, PRONUNCIATION, LEADERSHIP AND TECHNOLOGY CLASSES. WE GIVE OUR MOST DEDICATED STUDENTS A WIDE RANGE OF OPPORTUNITIES TO LEAD AND APPLY THEIR LEARNING WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION: AS TEACHER ASSISTANTS, GUEST SPEAKERS, LANGUAGE MENTORS OR TUTORS. IN THIS WAY, THE ENTIRE IHP COMMUNITY STRIVES TO IMPROVE ENGLISH, NAVIGATE DAILY LIFE, INTEGRATE SOCIALLY, AND PREPARE FOR SATISFYING EMPLOYMENT.

IN HER PRESENCE HAS PARTNERED WITH THE GORMAN FOUNDATION, MERCY HOSPITAL AND MAINE HOUSING TO OPERATE A NEW HOME FOR HOMELESS PREGNANT IMMIGRANT WOMEN IN PORTLAND MAINE AT THE FRANCIS WARD HOUSE. THE RESIDENTS ARE PROVIDED A SAFE PLACE TO LIVE FOR UP TO A YEAR OR UNTIL ALTERNATIVE HOUSING IS ACQUIRED. THE WOMEN ARE SUPPORTED BY THE STAFF OF IN HER PRESENCE AS THEY LIVE IN COMMUNITY, COOKING, CLEANING, BABYSITTING, MAKING FRIENDS AND SUPPORTING EACH OTHER. THEIR MEDICAL NEEDS ARE MET BY THE STAFF OF MERCY HOSPITAL. ALL RESIDENTS ATTEND ENGLISH, TECHNOLOGY AND HEALTH EDUCATION CLASSES. TRANSPORTATION IS AVAILABLE TO RESIDENTS WHO LEAVE THE FACILITY FOR EDUCATIONAL, MEDICAL OR OTHER SERVICES. ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, INCLUDING FIELD TRIPS, ARE PROVIDED.

CAREER PATHWAY. OUR APPROACH IS INDIVIDUALIZED, INTENSIVE AND ONGOING. AS LANGUAGE SKILLS BUILD, WE SUPPORT WOMEN IN CAREER PLANNING AND GOAL SETTING. OUR CAREER PATHWAYS PROGRAM HELPS LOW-INCOME IMMIGRANT WOMEN FIND EMPLOYMENT THAT LEADS TO FINANCIAL SECURITY THROUGH PERSONAL EMPOWERMENT AND FINANCIAL EDUCATION. CAREER COUNSELORS WORK WITH IMMIGRANT WOMEN TO SECURE WORK PERMITS, WRITE RESUMES, PRACTICE INTERVIEWING, ACCESS JOB SHADOWING OR MENTORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, AND NAVIGATE THE LOCAL JOB MARKETS. AS LANGUAGE CLASSES SHIFT TO EMPHASIZE EMPLOYMENT SKILLS AND CAREER TRAJECTORIES THAT BETTER REFLECT IMMIGRANTS' INTERESTS, EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND AND PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT (FROM COUNTRY OF ORIGIN), WE PROMOTE JOB ACCELERATION.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION INITIATIVES. AS WE SEEK TO STRENGTHEN LANGUAGE SKILLS AND HELP WOMEN SET FOOT ON AMBITIOUS CAREER PATHWAYS, WE ALSO NURTURE THE MANY STRINGS THAT CREATE WEBS OF SUPPORT: A COMMUNITY. WHILE MANY WOMEN COME TO US INITIALLY TO LEARN ENGLISH, THEY LEAVE WITH A NETWORK OF NEW CONNECTIONS THAT OFFER SUPPORT IN AREAS OF CAREER, HEALTHCARE, CHILDBIRTH AND PARENTING.