Happy spring and Ramadam kareem!

There’s been a real sense of momentum this month. Across our programs, participation is growing and new offerings are being added with care. From financial workshops to community gatherings, our calendar is filling with opportunities shaped by what our community has asked for and what our teams have been working toward.

This momentum reflects a collective effort from our staff and partners to the community members who continue to show up and shape what’s next.

We’re so glad you’re with us.



Updates from Our Teams

Business Hub

As part of their Business Bootcamp Basics series, The Business Hub hosted an Industry Spotlight session focused on personal and home care agencies. Many immigrant entrepreneurs are exploring this field, so the team partnered with the Maine Small Business Development Center and SCORE to share insights from experienced operators. Magda Darling, an agency owner and longtime SCORE mentor, joined as a featured speaker and offered guidance on navigating the challenges and opportunities in this sector.

We’d like to thank the Maine Technology Institute for supporting our Business Basics Bootcamp series and helping immigrant entrepreneurs build skills and grow their businesses.

iEnglish

Lisa DiIorio, formerly the Director of Women Lead, has stepped into the role of Director of iEnglish. She brings years of experience in language instruction and program development, and even during her time with Women Lead, she continued teaching English at one of our partner sites. In this new role, Lisa is focused on strengthening the program and expanding access to English classes for learners in our community.

Community Integration

Community Integration launched the latest round of its cooking class series on March 18 in partnership with the City of Portland and Hannaford. These classes have long been a popular offering, and this session has been no exception. Clients are excited to explore American cuisine and become more comfortable with new ingredients and cooking techniques.

Each class includes a live translator and features three parts: a hands-on demonstration where participants prepare a healthful meal with the instructor, an instruction period, and time to sit down and enjoy the meal together. The series supports clients’ health and wellness while helping them navigate unfamiliar food systems with greater confidence.

The team also continues to provide vital workforce development support. As more clients receive work permits, Community Integration has helped approximately 135 individuals with resume writing and job applications in recent months. None of this would be possible without the dedication of IWC volunteers. Special thanks to our volunteer resume writers: Jerry Pedro, Leslie Anderson, Claude Zeimer, Julia Morrell, and Mimi Kandjila for their ongoing support.

Women Lead

The Women Lead team is preparing to launch a new round of free workshops this spring, including sessions that focus on financial literacy, job readiness, and entrepreneurship. More details will be shared soon. Stay tuned!



What's Coming Up?

Samosa Social — April 3

Our Community Integration team and the Bayside Neighborhood Association are teaming up for a Samosa Social on Wednesday, April 3. This event is an opportunity to connect, share a meal, and celebrate the strength of our community. We hope to see you there!

Business Hub Workshop — April 8

The Business Hub’s upcoming Business Basics Bootcamp workshop, The Immigrant Entrepreneur’s Guide to Business Finances, will take place Tuesday, April 8 from 10 AM to 12 PM. This session is designed to help immigrant business owners build confidence in their financial planning and decision-making. Click here to learn more and sign up.

Soccer Saturday Sponsorships

Soccer Saturday is returning this summer, and we're expanding the program to ten weekly sessions! If you or your business is interested in being an official Soccer Saturday sponsor, we’d love to hear from you.

New Resource for Volunteers

We have created toolkits for volunteers who want to support our work through community fundraising. These toolkits are available through our Volunteer Dashboard and include helpful templates, tips, and ideas to get started.

Toy Drive for Eid

One of our community partners, Food For All Services, is collecting toys for local children ahead of Eid. Each year, they distribute toys and goodie bags to children attending prayer, but this year their supply is low. You can help make this Eid special by donating new or gently used toys for kids of all ages. Donations can be dropped off at the IWC office during open hours, and our staff will make sure they get delivered in time.

Hiring Partnerships

Community Integration is looking to partner with local businesses and companies that are currently hiring. If your workplace has open positions and is interested in connecting with job seekers in our community, please reach out to program director, Belinda.

Contribute to IWC

New Mainers arrive every day looking for stability and community. At the Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center, they find language classes, job training, and support systems that help them build there lives here.

Your donation ensures that when someone walks through our doors, they are met with help, not a waiting list. If you believe in a more welcoming Maine, please give today.

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