Why I Volunteer to Teach English and Citizenship: Meet Mike

Mike found the ESLC through his work for LDS Church Welfare Services. After he retired, Mike had thought to himself, “I have a real affinity for working with immigrants and refugees, and those who are non-English speakers, both for adults and also their children who are trying to navigate the process.” Michael said that he understands that it’s not just language that acts as a barrier to immigrants, but culture as well. 

Seven years ago, Mike reached out to ESLC to begin teaching classes. He had always been interested in language instruction. His first class was a community class in teaching mothers about education. “It was a challenge but [the ESLC and students] were very generous”, Mike said. 

Since then, Mike has been volunteering as a coach to help prepare immigrants with their citizenship interview. “I coach them through that process,” Mike said, “so they can be reasonably confident ... to be able to pass the test.” 

Mike believes that the USA is an immigrant nation and always has been. “Immigrants and refugees enrich our culture and our business,” he said. Mike acknowledges that there can be some up-front costs to helping people immigrate into the United States, but those costs are well worth it. “If you look at that generation, and then the next generation, the generation after that, what they put back in the economy ... culturally .... their own language ... a financial benefit ... they give back so much more.” Mike believes that the work being done at the ESLC is so critical, “I really do want these people to succeed,” he said. 

Mike is passionate about working with individuals and seeing them be successful at the end of a hard road. One day, “there were two or three citizens being sworn in as United States citizens, that was an exciting thing, just the enthusiasm and the love that they had for America,” he said. Mike proudly holds his experience working at the ESLC on his business card. He has received two Hands and Hearts awards for his volunteer work. 

If Mike's story resonates with you, consider applying to become a volunteer!