Grantee Spotlight: Women in Charge

Started in 2022, Women in Charge’s  "Pathways to Integration: Community English Language Program" provides free, individualized ESL instruction to adult immigrants in the St. Louis metropolitan area. The program offers flexible small group or one-on-one sessions, delivered at the WIC office, local libraries, or online, and tailored to specific student priorities, whether it's navigating doctor's appointments, understanding children's school communications, or preparing for job interviews. 

Language access is power.  Read the powerful testimony of one program participant:  

“When I first started taking ESL classes, my main goal was to connect with others and better support my children with their schoolwork. Before joining the program, daily life presented numerous hurdles. I struggled to communicate effectively with my children's teachers, found it difficult to order food at restaurants, and generally faced many obstacles in meeting new people. Expressing my thoughts and questions was a constant challenge, leaving me with a sense of isolation. The program brought about significant positive changes in my life. A major milestone was obtaining my driver's license, which brought a new level of independence. 

Now, I can actively help my children with their homework and connect with a wider circle of people. I feel much more comfortable engaging in conversations, sharing my ideas, voicing my concerns, and getting my questions answered. A particularly fulfilling aspect has been my ability to act as a translator for my husband at his work, as he speaks very little English. Being able to assist him and others in need brings me immense happiness.

As a direct result of attending ESL classes, I've observed profound shifts in myself. I can now do many things that were impossible before, such as connecting with other mothers from my children's school and confidently asking for things in stores or ordering at  restaurants. In Mexico, we say "feeling in tune," and that's exactly how I feel now—in tune with the U.S. Before, I felt like an outsider, very shy about speaking or asking questions, and disconnected from American life. Now, my confidence has soared. There are specific situations where I once felt incredibly uncomfortable but now approach with ease. For instance, at church, I can now ask the English-speaking catechism teachers about my children's progress. A significant personal challenge I overcame was having a confession with an English-speaking priest. Similarly, at the hospital, I often no longer require a translator. I can articulate my children's symptoms to doctors and discuss my own health, whether good or bad.

Looking ahead, my ultimate goal is to become a translator myself. I want to help many more people understand English and adjust to life here. I envision myself working in places like hospitals, schools, or offices, where I can directly assist other Mexican individuals by translating for them and helping them feel more comfortable in their new environment. I am incredibly proud of how much I've come to understand the language and how much more connected I feel to so many people."