The natural next step to our work, engaging in faithful advocacy, is direct service to our communities in need. We launched our English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program eight years ago to walk in solidarity with immigrants in our community. Following the COVID-19 pandemic and rising food insecurity in our hometown of Boston, we launched our Food and Assistance Grab-and-Go program.

Welcoming Immigrants: English for Speakers of Other Languages Classes

Our English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program serves students both online and in-person in Boston. This year we kicked off our 27th cycle of the volunteer-led program – and enrollment is greater than it has ever been.  We are presently running seven classes concurrently – the most we’ve ever held at one time. This demonstrates both the need for these services and the growing interest in volunteering. We are also seeing a growing interest from our students in online classes, giving us the opportunity to expand beyond Boston and serve students across the country.

The needs of our students are great and go beyond language. When a group of students couldn’t attend in-person classes on a brutally cold winter day because they did not own jackets, our generous volunteers purchased winter coats. We have provided lunch programs to ensure they receive a mid-day meal, and we purchased umbrellas during a particularly rainy spring. Our work is not intended to simply teach a language, but to welcome them to their new home, to ease their transition, and to support their journey.

By the Numbers 

• • ESOL Adult Students Served in 2025: 180 

• • ESOL Adult Students Served Since Inception: 1,039 

• • Class Cycles Completed: 26