The Immigrant Learning Center, Inc.
Giving Immigrants a Voice
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The ILC is challenged to provide free language and literacy skills along with career and continuing education counseling to low-income adult immigrants in Greater Boston so that they may become successful workers, parents and community members who can contribute to the economy of our country. Learning English is the critical first step. Prior to the Center's opening, a needs assessment was performed by Ms. Portnoy with information from the Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants Demographic Update, 1990 Census data, System of Adult Basic Education Support and news articles. She met with local officials, schools, counseling and community agencies to assess needs and design appropriate services. Malden proved to be an ideal location for an English language program for immigrant adults being the second most diverse city in Massachusetts, lack of free language services and easy access to public transportation. Continued community assessment over the years shows this is still true.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes
The ILC The Immigrant Learning Center’s (The ILC) award-winning program provides a continuum of classes and services, free of charge, to immigrant and refugee adults whose English proficiency ranges from very low and beginning levels to intermediate. Historically, The ILC is fully enrolled with more than 400 students at any given time, and over 900 annually. With the onset of the pandemic, student levels have decreased somewhat.
Classes are offered year-round in three four-month morning and afternoon sessions. All classes are intensive, from 12 to 12.5 hours a week, and instruction is given in English only for a total immersion experience that accelerates learning. Individuals are placed in class levels that best reflect their current listening, speaking, reading and writing skills and progress at their own pace in accordance with individual goals. The curriculum incorporates civics, financial literacy, life skills and next steps to help students navigate our complex social systems (education, financial, health, legal, etc.) and make plans for continuing education and job or career searches after leaving The ILC.
Public Education
Since 2003, The Immigrant Learning Center’s Public Education Institute conducted research and educated Americans on the contributions of immigrants to our society and economy. First, by commissioning 13 studies and then through a partnership with George Mason University that launched the Institute for Immigration Research. The ILC Public Education Institute’s research has helped inform state and local policy and action on immigration. Underscoring the outsized contributions of the foreign-born, the Institute hosts the annual Barry M. Portnoy Immigrant Entrepreneur Awards Benefit that brings together policymakers, business and community leaders to highlight their impact on jobs, community development and innovation. The Institute hosts free webinars and online workshops to equip immigrant- and refugee-serving professionals with best practices, tested techniques and the latest research. Free professional development for teachers on immigration are done both in-person locally and online nationally. The Institute also hosts a free online library of more than 1,200 curated studies on U.S. immigration with plainly written abstracts and easy search criteria to bring the facts closer to the public discourse.
Where we work
Awards
Organization of Distinction 2012
Malden YWCA
Excellence in Innovation Finalist 2012
Massachusetts Nonprofit Network
Best Practices Award 2003
Nellie Mae Education Foundation
Community Service Provider of the Year 2001
Malden Chamber of Commerce
Community Quarterback Award 2009
Eastern Bank
Community Leadership Award 2006
Boston Mayor’s Office of New Bostonians
Massachusetts Literacy Champion 2003
Massachusetts Literacy Foundation
Massachusetts Literacy Champion 2009
Massachusetts Literacy Foundation
Celebrate Literacy Award 2005
International Reading Association, Greater Boston Council
Community Service Provider of the Year 2012
Malden Chamber of Commerce
Ellis Island Medal of Honor 2001
National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations
National Award 1998
Valley Forge Freedom Foundation
Community Leadership Award 1996
North Shore Black Women’s Association
Keepers of the American Dream 2015
National Immigration Forum
Alumni Hall of Fame 2016
Malden High School
Women Making a Difference 2016
The Zonta Club of Malden
Massachusetts Literacy Champion 2016
Massachusetts Literacy
Unsung Heroine award 2017
Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women
Peace Award 2017
Peace Island Institute
Key to the City 2017
City of Malden, Massachusetts
Outstanding Educator Award 2019
Massachusetts Coalition for Adult Education
Literacy Award Winner 2020 American Prize 2020
Library of Congress
External reviews
Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of clients who become literate because of literacy education programs by the nonprofit
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Immigrants and migrants
Related Program
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
2021 enrollments declined due to the pandemic and a shift to online learning. Fewer students advanced to the next level. Since 1992, we have served nearly 12,500 immigrants.
Number of participants who pass citizenship exam
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Immigrants and migrants
Related Program
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Since we first began tracking achievements (2002), nearly 500 students passed the U.S. Citizenship exam. The pandemic has caused a slow-down in processing times which affects recent numbers.
Number of students who achieved career and/educational goals.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Immigrants and migrants
Related Program
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Goals such as finding work, attending job fairs, going on interviews, receiving a promotion or pay raise, entered a training/continuing education program are lower in 2021 due to COVID.
Number of participants who registered for webinars.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Related Program
Public Education
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Decreasing
Context Notes
Free webinars and online workshops equip professionals with best practices, tested techniques and latest research. There were fewer webinars in 2019 & 2021. Zoom fatigue may affect 2021 numbers.
Number of downloads of the organization's materials and explanations
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Related Program
Public Education
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
The Institute hosts a free online library of over 1,200 curated studies on U.S. immigration with plainly written abstracts and easy search criteria to bring the facts closer to the public discourse.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The goals and objectives of The ILC are devoted to a single outcome: that students reach their full potential as productive, responsible and participating workers, parents, entrepreneurs, community members and citizens through increased English language proficiency. Our specific goals are:
• To support students in their efforts to learn both oral and written English so they can achieve personal, employment and educational goals;
• To provide an accessible, intensive, academic program free of charge consistent with the diverse needs and interests of the Limited English Proficient, foreign-born adults in the Greater Boston area;
• To provide a continuum of services from pre-literacy to college and career planning;
• To engage in ongoing curriculum, staff and program development to best meet the needs of the student community;
• To provide an educational forum to help immigrant parents learn family literacy practices;
• To provide services to any foreign-born individual, age 16 or over, regardless of race, ethnicity, income, education, disability, native country or other eligibility restrictions;
• To inform Americans about immigrants and immigration in the United States.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
The ILC’s English Language Program is focused on key initiatives: four levels of ESOL classes, three levels of Literacy classes, two levels of Citizenship classes and Next Steps classes.
Each student sets personal goals and is placed in the class best able to help them achieve their goal. The Citizenship classes use a specialized curriculum focused on the language skills and content knowledge required to succeed in the interview and pass the Citizenship exam. Next Steps classes prepare students to transition successfully to the next stage of learning. Career and education advisors work with students to develop a plan of action, which may include job training, higher education, career development, professional re-certification and job search skills. Students are coached in resume writing, interviewing skills, making calls and sending emails, and other job search skills.
Our approach is unique and differs from other adult education programs in several ways: 1) All classes and services are free of charge. 2) Classes are intensive, 12-12.5 hours a week, and are conducted in English only for a total immersion experience that accelerates learning. 3) All teachers are paid professionals with bachelor and advanced degrees. 4) In addition to teaching English, the curriculum incorporates American civics, computer literacy, navigational skills and next steps for job search, career and education attainment. We collaborate with many education and social service organizations in Greater Boston communities that provide continuing education, social services, job training and career development. The curriculum for our year-round adult education program aligns with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE) Curriculum Frameworks for foreign-born adults. Teachers meet weekly with the director of English language programs to ensure compliance with Frameworks guidelines, share best practices and make adjustments to meet students’ needs.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
The ILC opened its doors more than 30 years ago. Today The ILC has an English Language Program that was awarded a “Tier 1” program rating by DESE for student performance testing and program, fiscal and management excellence. The ILC is considered the “gold standard” of adult education programs and has received numerous awards over the years. Positive feedback from our students further demonstrates The ILC’s ability to deliver successful programming.
To meet our goals, we enlist our staff, which includes professional, experienced, paid teachers who have bachelors and advanced degrees. Working in partnership with teachers are three full-time career and education advisors who work with students on job readiness, which includes resume writing, interviewing skills, American workplace culture and accompanying them to job fairs. A full-time family literacy coordinator develops workshops for students who are parents of pre-school and school-aged children. A corps of approximately 50 volunteers from all walks of life work in classrooms under the direction of teachers. A 21-member diverse Board of Trustees, is comprised of representatives from the business, community and ILC staff.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Our progress and growth have been steady. For nearly 30 years The ILC has been fulfilling its mission to "give immigrants a voice." Beginning in 1992 with three classes and 60 students, The ILC now serves 300 students on any given day, despite the pandemic. We have served over 11,000 students in both traditional and innovative ESOL classes.
Citizenship classes were created for students whose goals include naturalization. A Literacy Program was developed for students who can't read or write in their native tongue. these students never had the opportunity to attend school in their home country due to war, poverty, culture or natural disaster and are unprepared to enter a low level ESOL class.
Our Family Literacy Program offers workshops for our many students who are parents or caretakers of school-aged children. These workshops promote the importance of reading to children and navigating the U.S. education system. The Literacy Program Coordinator plays a vital role in assisting parents with a myriad of issues regarding education, parenting and more. She connects families to resources such as virtual playgroups for new parents and maintains several book clubs.
Next Steps classes are for students whose goals include college enrollment, job training programs and career development. They work with our career and education advisors who counsel them on job searches and continuing education goals. Each student who graduates from The ILC leaves with a plan specifically developed to continue towards greater educational and career life goals.
The ILC has served more than 11,500 students yet maintains a constant waitlist, demonstrating an ongoing need for our services.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
The Immigrant Learning Center, Inc.
Board of directorsas of 08/24/2023
Hon. Frank Bailey
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge
Gerard Martin
Director, North Atlantic Medical Services, Inc.
Diane Portnoy
Founder and CEO, The Immigrant Learning Center, Inc.
Penny Garver
Retired, Senior Vice President, Santander Bank, New England
Esther Karinge
Teacher's Aide, Medford Public Schools
Mahmud Jafri
CEO, Dover Rug and Home
Diane Stern
Retired, Co-Anchor, WBZ Radio Afternoon News
Karen Cangiano
Former Trustee, Proctor Academy
Nereyda Garcia
Head of Compliance, Rare Disease and Rare Blood Disorders at Sanofi
Warren Heilbronner
Partner, Sullivan & Worcester LLP
Denzil Mohammed
Director, ILC Public Education Institute
Saritin Rizzuto
Assistant Vice President, Metro Credit Union
Anne Walsh
Teacher/Tutor, Winthrop Elementary School
Sandra Bornstein
Educator
Beth Conway
EVP & Chief People Officer, Nuance Communications
Saima Firdoos
Attending Physician, Portsmouth Regional Hospital, Portsmouth, NH
Lise Revers
Owner and Manager, Beechwood Stables
Jane Willis
Partner at Ropes & Gray, LLP
Jessica Senat
Director of English Language Programs
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? No -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? No -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
The organization's co-leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data