Interested in enrolling in our We Speak We LEAD job readiness workshop series? Sign up here for an Info Session or to receive e-news about upcoming We Speak LEAD series and other NWNY programs.
Program overview
We Speak We LEAD is a free workforce development and professional English learning program for immigrant women who are elementary or intermediate English learners, facilitated entirely in English. It was initially developed through a collaboration of New Women New Yorkers and We Speak NYC at the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA).
The program uniquely combines career exploration, job readiness, civic-focused education, English learning, and community building in a safe, flexible, and inclusive space.
We Speak We LEAD begins with a series of 16 job readiness workshops that provide participants with critical knowledge and skills about the US job search process and workplace culture, and a space to improve their professional English, build their confidence, and pursue their career exploration.
We Speak We LEAD also gives access to additional programming and benefits, including group practice and networking sessions with partner companies (“company sessions”), orientation & interview sessions as well as Career Fairs with partner employers, tailored individual support, community education and community support programming, and more.
We Speak We LEAD programming is hybrid: Some workshops are offered remotely, using Zoom, while others are offered in person, at the spaces of partner organizations.
Key goals are to support participants in improving their professional English and confidence and in pursuing their career exploration, and to prepare them for entry into the NYC workforce or to pursue higher education and vocational trainings.
Fees
We Speak We LEAD is 100% free for our participants.
Eligibility & enrollment
Participation in the program is open to adult immigrant women (minimum age of 18 years old) who are currently living in NYC or the tri-state area.
Participants should have at least an elementary or intermediate level of English and high school level of education.
Participants with an advanced or fluent level of English should consider participation in our LEAD program, while participants with a beginner level of English or lower level of education should consider participation in our Bridge to LEAD program. We encourage you to attend a We Speak We LEAD Info Session if you’re unsure about your level of English.
Completion of an online registration form & attendance to an Info Session is required to enroll in the program. Registration will be accepted based on space availability.
Locations & schedule
In 2024, 1 cycle of We Speak We LEAD was offered along a hybrid model during the Spring. Workshops were held twice a week over a period of 2 months.
Curriculum of workshop series
- Week 1: Introductions, introspection, and goal setting
- Week 2: Career exploration & resume building (part 1)
- Week 3: Resume building (parts 2 & 3)
- Week 4: Networking (parts 1 & 2)
- Week 5: Networking (part 3) & interviews (part 1)
- Week 6: Interviews (parts 2 & 3)
- Week 7: US workplace culture (parts 1 & 2)
- Week 8: Special session & planning ahead
Complementary benefits for We Speak We LEAD participants
In addition to the 8-week workshop series, We Speak We LEAD participants gain access to the following programming and benefits:
- 1-year free license to Learnship online learning program.
- Group practice & networking sessions hosted by NYC-based companies in a wide range of industries – including mock interview sessions, career advice chats, and panel discussions with experts. Current partner companies include in particular: Capital One, Faryl Robin, Guardian Life, LinkedIn, Mastercard, QBE North America, The Rockefeller Foundation, and ZS.
- Orientation & interview sessions as well as Career Fairs with partner employers to provide program participants with a direct thruway to jobs and other opportunities in their areas of interest.
- Tailored individual support in the form of resume building, interview prep, and career counseling.
- NWNY weekly newsletter with special opportunities and projects, job board, and events & resources board.
- Letters of reference and recommendations for jobs and other purposes.
- Community programming: Community Education Workshops support participants in building knowledge and skills in critical areas for their personal and professional development– including sessions focusing on financial empowerment, self-care and mental health, and rights in the workplace. Community Support Groups provide opportunities for community members to connect and share in a safe and inclusive space through informal and open discussions.
- Access to Work-Based Learning Program & Alumnae Volunteer Program of New Women New Yorkers.
We Speak We LEAD was developed in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs and We Speak NYC.
For more information about We Speak NYC: www.nyc.gov/learnenglish