Growing up I experienced first-hand the burden of being a child of immigrants who didn’t speak English. I did all the translations for them. I saw how they struggled being new to a country and not knowing the language. My journey with English Language Learners at Home (ELL) has been nothing short of a deeply fulfilling mission. ELL has been a beacon of hope for thousands of adult immigrants and their families since its inception in 2004.

The pandemic presented us with significant challenges, chief among them being a surge in applications to our program and an immediate need to transition to a cloud-based internet platform. The commitment of our partners and the remarkable adaptability of our team allowed us to swiftly respond to this crisis, ensuring that English language learners had uninterrupted access to our online programs. We made portable devices accessible and equipped new tutors with essential online teaching strategies.

I want to express our immense gratitude for the Mentors grant received during this challenging time. Your support has been instrumental in our ongoing mission.

Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of helping over 6,000 adult immigrants and their families. Through ELL, parents have gained the confidence to communicate with teachers and doctors without interpreters, and they’re now able to support their children with homework and school activities. Many have embarked on their journey to obtain a GED diploma, and some are even pursuing higher education levels they once thought unattainable. It’s heartwarming to see our learners confidently enter English-speaking stores, no longer hindered by language barriers.

Our commitment extends beyond language acquisition. We are dedicated to helping low-income families become more literate and active contributors to their communities. Through our work, we aim to reduce financial instability and disparity among non-English speaking residents.

All of our stakeholders and donors have played a crucial role in helping our program thrive. Your support, combined with the unwavering dedication of our team, has created an environment where English language learners flourish, families prosper, and communities become more inclusive. Together, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve, and for that, I’m profoundly grateful.