Elena Found More Than a Class—She Found a Community

Elena discovered the Learning Lab through Facebook and joined as a newcomer, eager to learn about the various programs we offered. She appreciated the diversity of the groups that gathered each day at the Learning Lab. In Russia, she taught music and then studied law. Upon arriving in America, Elena recognized the need to improve her English language skills, so she enrolled in ESL classes at Harper College, advancing to the highest level of proficiency. She also pursued her GED and recently completed her paralegal certificate at Harper, which was a perfect fit since she had practiced law in Russia. Through networking at POC, she secured an internship with a law clinic. Elena is now actively seeking a paralegal position in the field of immigration law. Her language skills, education, and technical abilities make her well-prepared to be an asset to any organization fortunate enough to hire her. Elena shared that she achieved these milestones with the incredible support of her husband. She mentioned that it was through POC that she gained valuable knowledge and developed a love for diversity and connection.

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The Learning Lab benefits from the support of volunteers. This year, 23 volunteers provided weekly assistance to our clients. With nearly 2,300 hours of service valued at $75,000, we could not fulfill the mission of POC without them. Volunteers provide a welcoming and safe space for individuals to pursue their dreams and goals. Many of our volunteers are retired professionals from fields such as nursing, teaching, and engineering, or they may have devoted their lives to raising families as "domestic engineers," eager to give back to their communities.