Somali-speaking Avivo participants learn English to help with job hunt

Somali immigrants have a tough problem they need to solve as soon as they move to Minnesota: they need to earn a living for their families.

“Our goal is to get people into short-term training … Get people the English to be able to advance their career and start moving toward self-sufficiency.”

Getting a job is tough with limited English-speaking skills. That’s where Cora and Rahmo, Avivo’s ESL-teaching team, come in. They meet weekly with 15-20 Somali-speaking individuals, both men and women, to help them learn English with a job or career focus.

“Our goal is to get people into short-term training,” says Cora. “Get people the English to be able to advance their career and start moving toward self-sufficiency.”

“Seeing small victories along the way is really, really, amazing.”

Students’ English-speaking skills grow quickly, which helps them build the confidence to apply for jobs.

“Seeing small victories along the way is really, really, amazing.”

 

Avivo is the largest provider of career services for MFIP participants across the state of Minnesota, serving nearly 10,000 participants and their families every year. Avivo’s ESL program was developed to help prepare immigrants Avivo serves for increased success in the workplace.