Congolese Integration Network

Congolese Integration Network 

Mission:  Educate, usher, and lead for a thriving  community

CIN ESL Program Fundraising Campaign

English for Opportunity: $4,000 Goal

The ESL program is where CIN began. It was one of the first spaces we created for immigrant and refugee families arriving with limited English but with deep resilience and the hope of rebuilding their lives. What started as a small community effort has grown into a place of learning, healing, and belonging.

This is not a mainstream ESL model. It is a “by and for refugees and immigrants” approach—built from lived experience, cultural understanding, and trust. That is what makes it powerful, and also what makes it difficult to fund. Many traditional funders do not recognize or prioritize this model, even though it is often the most effective for the communities we serve.

The biggest impact happens here. For many of our clients, this is their first time ever in a classroom. Some have never been to school before. In our ESL classes, learning begins with the most basic steps—writing their name for the first time, holding a pen for the first time, learning how to read and speak in a safe and patient environment.

For many students, this is more than education. It is a place of peace. It is representation. It is dignity. It is the first time they feel seen as learners with potential, not just survivors navigating a new country.

We are raising $4,000 to sustain this essential program and ensure it remains accessible to those who need it most.

Funds will support:

• Community-led ESL instruction
• Learning materials and classroom supplies
• Transportation support for students
• Basic program resources that remove barriers to participation

Even small contributions make a meaningful difference:

• $25 supports foundational learning materials for a student
• $50 helps provide classroom resources
• $100 supports continued participation in ESL classes
• $250 helps sustain instruction for multiple learners
• $500 strengthens the program for an entire class cycle

This program is the foundation of CIN’s work. It is where many journeys toward stability begin. Your support helps ensure that every learner has a place to start, no matter their background or previous access to education.

We thank you in Advance for your generous contribution.