Martilinda came to the United States from Cape Verde for her 10-year-old son’s sake. “I wanted to give my son a better life, and I believe he has a good opportunity in this country … and he is more safe,” she explained.
Her hopes for her own future looked less promising. Her five years as a public accountant in Cape Verde didn’t help her find a good job when she first came to the U.S. She worked at a laundry facility and was exhausted all the time, but didn’t make much money. “I have dreams, but the dreams are still inside me,” she said.
Today, Martilinda is on track to make those dreams real, for her and her son. When she enrolled at The ILC, everything changed. She learned English quickly, moving up through the levels. When our education and career advisors learned about her experience as an accountant, they helped her enroll in a college program to get her requalified to work in the field. Now, she studies until 2:00 AM and works full time, excited at the idea of returning to her old career. “I will be so grateful for the rest of my life because The Immigrant Learning Center helped me [to] enter in this useful program,” Martilinda said. We are grateful to the people like you who make these dreams possible.
Diane Portnoy
Founder and CEO
The Immigrant Learning Center, Inc.