We are excited to announce the expansion of Somali Adult Literacy Training (SALT) through a new initiative called Education Programs.
The SALT program launched 18 years ago to meet a felt need in the Somali community: learning English. Since that time, more than 1,800 volunteers from churches in the Twin Cities, Rochester, Willmar, and St. Cloud have been mobilized to share Jesus with their Somali neighbors through the avenue of literacy.
Arrive Ministries’ Education Programs developed in response to the Somali community asking for support in areas that reach beyond English tutoring. Having resettled more than 11,000 refugees, we know that adjusting to life in the U.S. requires hard work and intentional learning. The families we work with are hospitable, ready to contribute, and desire to thrive. We are eager to help them achieve personal growth as we empower volunteers to answer the request for practical support in new areas.
Our Education Programs currently include the following volunteer opportunities:
- Teach English to Somali adults (SALT)
- Teach English to Afghan adults
- Provide homework help to school-age children
- Teach sewing skills
We are in the development stages of the following:
- Driving training
- Citizenship preparation
- Budgeting and financial literacy
- Computer and technology training
This June, Sem Lafleur joined our team as the Education Programs Manager. Sem has worked at the University of Minnesota for the past eight years, developing and overseeing computer programs for families in North Minneapolis. Being an immigrant himself, Sem has interest in making Education Programs accessible and helpful for our refugee and immigrant neighbors as we continue to fulfill our strategy of loving practically, socially, and spiritually.
We believe Arrive Ministries is uniquely positioned to love our refugee and immigrant neighbors through practical avenues as we intentionally build mutual friendship. We praise God for the 800 volunteers who currently partner with us to make all of this possible.
