Tools for Life Participants Complete Microsoft Program
Tools for Life participants received recognition on November 3rd, 2022 for their completion of the Beginner & Intermediate Microsoft classes.
Participants in this program come from a wide variety of backgrounds, but the majority are homeless or have been homeless or are recent immigrants seeking asylum in the U.S.
With tools like this class and other services provided through the Tools for Life program, these local individuals have a significantly greater chance of success in both their personal and professional lives. This program aims to achieve just that through services such as the Microsoft classes, English as a Second Language courses, as well as assistance with securing IDs, resume preparation, housing, childcare and more.
The Salvation Army of Portland, ME partners with local businesses and acquires local professionals to teach program participants. This Microsoft course is taught by Coeur Ngabo, who came to Portland in 2018 seeking asylum. He initially came to the Salvation Army to volunteer and began taking English classes.
Since then, he has learned English, obtained his work permit, and was hired at the Salvation Army where he now teaches and helps others who were in the same position as he was. He actually came up with the idea for the Microsoft course after noticing a need amongst many asylum seekers trying to search the web for things like housing and jobs.
Ngabo is able to teach the computer skills in English as well as French, Lingala, Swahili and Tshiluba which proves to be a great asset to participants. Rather than having to wait until after they learn English, participants have the advantage of being able to learn the computer skills faster in their own language.
Many of Coeur's students came to America with highly qualified with advanced degrees and held positions in their own countries such as University Professors, Doctors, Nurses, Teachers, and small business owners. Through our ESL and computer classes, these individuals are able to translate these skills to the English language and find a new path of success in the U.S.