November is falling leaves, crisp weather, and Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a day for celebrating family, feasting, and gratitude. We show appreciation for good health, for surviving adversity, being resilient, and for the blessings that are around us even as life presents many challenges. This holiday is also an excellent opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate immigrants seeking a better life here in America. The talent, hard work, and love that they bring with them, is what this nation is about.

- Shukria Wiar, Women Lead Director

Women Lead

We're excited to celebrate the upcoming graduation of our first Women Lead Workforce Readiness cohort! Alongside mastering the intricacies of the workspace, our first WLWR cohort also focused on personal development and well-being. From embracing self-care practices to fostering financial literacy and understanding the dynamics of equity, diversity, and inclusion -- our students are not just advancing in their careers but are also on the path to holistic growth. Together, we are one step closer to the graduation milestone!

Friendsgiving

We hope that each of you enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving! On the eve of the holiday, our center hosted a community gathering. Led by our friend Jane from Maine Snap Ed, our Cooking Matters class prepared a feast of autumn based dishes. In addition, IWC employees contributed by bringing in their own Thanksgiving favorites. A delicious meal was shared by all, and we were so thankful for the opportunity to gather together.

Staff Retreat

On the 13th, our staff met up for a retreat at Westbrook's 33 Elmwood. We discussed what we were most proud of in each department, what we wanted to achieve in 2024, and got to learn about each other via in-depth conversations.

Afterwards we enjoyed lots of delicious food, and went off to go bowling! For a good handful of us, it was our first time! Everyone had a great time, and left refreshed and ready to tackle the rest of what 2023 has to offer.

Speaking of the end of the year, keep your eyes peeled for our annual letter coming out soon. We'll be highlighting some of our key accomplishments in 2023 and our goals for the next year.

Here's to the success and unity that our team continues to build!

Financial Wellness Series

In collaboration with IWC, Bangor Savings Bank will be hosting the first event of their Financial Wellness Series! From 4:45 PM to 5:15 PM on December 5th, on our 3rd floor! Please join us if you'd like to take charge in your financial literacy. Additionally, we have flyers in French, Spanish, and Portuguese. RSVP is required. We hope to see you there!

Join us in welcoming our new staff members!

Grace Reynolds

Grace has joined IWC as our Communications Specialist! Check out her bio soon to learn a bit more about her. Welcome, Grace!

Naylab Noori

Nylab has joined IWC as our public health intern! Check out her bio soon to learn a bit more about her. Welcome, Nylab!

Community Partner of the Month!

This month, we're thrilled to spotlight two incredible organizations as our community partners: The Opportunity Alliance and Maine SNAP Ed! Throughout the year, these dedicated organizations have hosted numerous cooking classes and grocery store tours. These initiatives empower our clients to proactively manage their well-being by providing valuable education on healthy eating practices.

A heartfelt thank you to The Opportunity Alliance and Maine SNAP Ed for their unwavering commitment and impactful contributions. Your work is truly making a difference, and we appreciate all that you do!

View our current job openings and information regarding how to apply.

Thank you to all our volunteers for your support!

Interested in volunteering with IWC? We'd love to have you! Fill out the form on our website to tell us more about you. We'll be in touch as opportunities arise.

Your Contribution Matters

Your support allows our programs to continue responding to the needs of our new neighbors and expand to accommodate all the new arrivals. Your contribution makes a difference in their lives. Please consider a gift to The Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center.