In Her Presence

Career Pathway. Our approach is individualized, intensive and ongoing. As language skills build, we support women in career planning and goal setting. Our Career Pathways program helps low-income immigrant women find employment that leads to financial security through personal empowerment and financial education. Career counselors work with immigrant women to secure work permits, write resumes, practice interviewing, access job shadowing or mentorship opportunities, and navigate the local job markets. As language classes shift to emphasize employment skills and career trajectories that better reflect immigrants' interests, educational background and previous employment (from country of origin), we promote job acceleration.

Community Connection Initiatives. As we seek to strengthen language skills and help women set foot on ambitious career pathways, we also nurture the many strings that create webs of support: a community. While many women come to us initially to learn English, they leave with a network of new connections that offer support in areas of career, healthcare, childbirth and parenting.

In Her Presence has partnered with The Gorman Foundation, Mercy Hospital and Maine Housing to operate a new home for homeless pregnant immigrant women in Portland Maine at The Francis Ward House. The residents are provided a safe place to live for up to a year or until alternative housing is acquired. The women are supported by the staff of In Her Presence as they live in community, cooking, cleaning, babysitting, making friends and supporting each other. Their medical needs are met by the staff of Mercy hospital. All residents attend English, Technology and Health Education classes. Transportation is available to residents who leave the facility for educational, medical or other services. Additional educational opportunities, including field trips, are provided.