Since the early 1980’s, over 7,500 refugees have made New Hampshire their home, and many reside in Manchester, the state’s largest city. St. Mary’s Bank is proud to award Welcoming Manchester with a $2,500 grant in support of their mission of the integration and success of Manchester’s immigrants.

Welcoming Manchester and Easterseals New Hampshire have partnered to develop and deliver a job training program designed specifically for immigrant community members seeking full-time employment with Easterseals as Residential Instructors. This training program provides job-specific skills training, English language instruction, cultural competencies training, and guaranteed employment with Easterseals upon acceptance into the program.

Welcoming Manchester reached out to St. Mary’s Bank for support on this project because of the common interests both organizations share for local economic development and moving all community members toward financial security.

St. Mary’s Bank’s Community Outreach Committee approved the grant from the institution’s 1908 Fund. “The 1908 Funds are awarded for the purpose of developing activities that specifically support St. Mary’s Bank’s commitment to providing thrift and economic self-sufficiency for all,” said Judi Window, St. Mary’s Bank Community Outreach Coordinator.

Tina Sharby, Chief Human Resources Officer of Easterseals NH and lead developer on the training program, is thrilled to have St. Mary’s Bank on their side. “The support we’ve received from St. Mary’s Bank has allowed us to engage two English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) instructors who are critical to the success of our pilot program,” says Sharby.

The first session of the pilot program is currently underway. Welcoming Manchester and Easterseals NH plan to publicize the project with more detail in the near future to congratulate the program’s first graduates, highlight the success of the first session and announce upcoming training sessions.



Photo Caption: Students, teachers, and volunteers of the Welcoming Manchester and Easterseals New Hampshire job training pilot program.