This is Amir. His family of 7 moved here from Sudan a year ago this summer. Each member of his family is enrolled in one of our programs and they have been with us through their first summer, fall, winter, and now spring.
Amir is an accountant but wasn’t able to find a job in his field due in part to language issues. Instead, he does medical transportation to provide for his family. Amir frequently spends his day driving all over Northwest Ohio and returns to Toledo in the evening for English class. He may be tired but he always makes an effort in class. It shows. He has advanced two levels in English this year alone. (That’s impressive!) Watch him exhibit his English skills during his speech!
Amir received our special Service and Citizenship award*. Because Amir’s English is more advanced than his peers, he is often called upon to translate communications between teachers and students. His willing and joyful service to others exemplifies the American value of volunteerism. We celebrate this in him.
*Certificates affirm the hard work of learning a new language and the value of each person. They are very meaningful for our students who have to fight very hard for successes here in the US.