Building power with immigrant communities in the District of Columbia
Helping communities
MLOV is made up of several different teams all working to foster leadership and provide tools for greater civic participation of immigrants in DC who do not speak English as their primary language in solutions that impact their lives. Together, we mobilize the community to prompt systemic change to meet the goal of language justice in the District.
Our mission
Our mission is to foster leadership and provide tools for greater civic participation of immigrants in DC who do not speak English as their primary language in solutions that impact their lives.
Our programs
Advocacy
MLOV is a leading player in the immigrant rights and justice movement in DC. We see advocacy as an opportunity to empower our members to be at the forefront of changing the existing inequities they face on a day to day basis.
Workers Rights
There are more than 100,000 immigrants in DC, and one in six immigrants is a part of the workforce in DC. Many immigrants face a multitude of barriers to accessing jobs including limited access to legal employment, limited visa options, and lack of social networks.
Digital Literacy
MLOV's Digital Literacy program supports community members to build transferable skills that they can utilize in the job-market, when/if starting a small business, to support their children's education, and to seek additional job training/education.
Immigrant Justice
MLOV’s Sanctuary campaign prioritizes ending immigrant detention and liberating children from detention centers in Southern Texas to reunite them with their families in DC.
Parent Leadership
MLOV is poised to lead new work organizing and campaigning for childcare worker rights within immigrant and refugee communities.
Youth Leadership
For over 12 years, MLOV has trained over 200 immigrant youth of color, originally from dozens of different countries, in community organizing, power building, and political advocacy through our student organizing program.
Outreach & Education
MLOV organizes grassroots outreach and education events including listening circles, open mics, breakfasts and dinners, “Community Center” style open house events.
Youth Mentorship
By connecting refugee youth with a caring and supportive mentor from their own community, MLOV's Immigrant Youth Mentorship Program supports mentees' social integration and pursuit of economic self-sufficiency.
Participant testimonials
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![Mirna]()
Mirna
Digital Literacy Program Participant
"From the very first time I came to the level 1 class, I didn’t know anything about computers. I only knew, for example, the button where you turn the computer on and off, but sometimes I would get it right and other times I wouldn’t…"
"I am a baker. Before, I didn’t know how to save a recipe or anything like that. But now, I do. I even know how to use a spreadsheet to calculate my expenses and figure out how much I need to invest to make my cakes. [...] I feel that what I’ve learned will help a lot with my business." -
![Julia]()
Julia
Digital Literacy Program Participant
"First, I practiced typing, then I liked it, and I started to get curious, but I thought I might break the computer."
"The ease of being able to talk to the teachers, the fact that they try to help us. That really helps the students and the teachers."
"I would like more advanced classes for people like us, mothers with limited time. The process is a bit slower for us because we have many responsibilities, but we want to learn. The progress is coming along more quickly now, but yes, we can’t keep up with technology." -
![Jose]()
Jose
Digital Literacy Program Participant
"Well, in fact, it’s helped me a lot because I’ve learned how to use a computer. I’ve learned a lot, and I feel that it can help me in the future to work in a company and be able to use those types of programs."
"[In level 1, I started from zero, but] now I am more comfortable using programs. [...] I can manage emails, send images, and create templates. I’ve used them in class, and sometimes I practice at home."
"I liked the entire program. It’s an experience I’d never had before, but now I understand it better, and I liked it." -
![Andres]()
Andrés
Youth Program Participant
Soy Andres Morales tengo 16 años, inmigrante de Venezuela, de la ciudad de Maracaibo. Mi experiencia en MLOV desde que entré fue maravillosa y cómoda, el ambiente del lugar es hermoso lleno de amigos y profesores dispuestos a ayudarte en lo que sea. He podido desempeñar varios roles como el de líder, miembro, voz o dibujante en una comunidad alegre de MLOV.
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![Carolayn]()
Carolayn
Youth Program Participant
Hola! Mi nombre es Carolayn y soy una estudiante del programa de MLOV. Antes de entrar a MLOV yo era una persona muy reservada, no me gustaba mucho socializar con los demás, y la mayoría de veces he tenido algunos problemas por ser así,pero cuando entré a MLOV aprendí muchas cosas que no sabía. Cambie para bien mi forma de ser y de pensar sobre los demás. Ahora soy más sociable y tengo muchos amigos. También aprendí sobre las culturas de otros países, sobre mis derechos, sobre quien soy y entre otras cosas más. Los profesores son un amor, siempre están ahí para ayudarte en lo que necesitas. El aura que emite ese lugar es muy agradable y te hace querer estar ahí todo el día.
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![Katie]()
Katie
Youth Program Participant
At MLOV I have learned a strong set of leadership skills that have taught me to understand the feelings and emotions of others but also more about who I am and the person I want to be. The welcoming environment motivates me to communicate with my peers and those who share similarities, along with differences. I appreciate the opportunity to hear ideas of others, which help me shape a positive world view and teaches me to work towards higher, more impactful goals for my community and future.
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![Roni]()
Roni
Youth Program Participant
Hello, I am Roni, a student of MLOV. I like MLOV because the staff are always super friendly and helpful when it comes to learning and life issues. The things I’ve done during my time in MLOV were learning about my rights when it comes to working and working with other people from different cultures and backgrounds. The ways MLOV has helped me was they helped me complete my fafsa form for college tuition and apply for different colleges around the United States where I got accepted to most of them and received a full ride scholarship. They also helped get over my social anxiety as they introduced me to many people of my age where I got to speak to them a lot and make many friends.
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![Abdiel]()
Abdiel
Youth Program Participant
“Hola, mi nombre es Abdiel y mi apellido es Montoya. Yo soy estudiante de MLOV y yo encontré MLOV en línea y desde ese momento estuve participando en MLOV y de lo que aprendí es tener confianza en mí mismo, respetar a los demás en todo aspecto y aprendí a liderar. Tuve muchos errores y dificultades en aprender de mis errores pero pude superarlos.”
