PORTLAND — Hope Acts, a nonprofit that provides housing, English classes, and other resources to new Mainers, launched new digital literacy classes for asylum seekers this November, with the help of a grant from the Maine Community Foundation.

The class provides asylum seekers with the basic knowledge and skills they need to use computers, access the Internet, pay bills, and use email, Zoom, and other technology platforms essential for everyday living in the United States. According to Hope Acts, in a news release, a study last year revealed that 70% of the nonprofit’s new housing clients did not have the digital literacy skills they needed for use of rudimentary tools like email and basic Internet navigation.

Martha Stein, Hope Acts’ Executive Director, said that with services and resources increasingly available only online, having access to technology and training is essential to the well-being and success of New Mainers.

“Our world is becoming increasingly reliant on technology, acting on the assumption that everyone has access to computers and the ability to operate them,” said Sarah Gauvin, Hope Acts’ Educational Programming Manager, “We want to foster a sense of independence and confidence in our clients as they pursue their education and employment goals, teaching them the digital skills they’ll need to be successful in whatever they pursue.”  

The new class is funded by a $10,000 grant from the Maine Community Foundation.

“The Maine Community Foundation’s Cumberland County Committee chose to support Hope Acts because of its great work in the community," said Katie Howard, MaineCF community partner. "This kind of project is particularly important for New Mainers as they navigate a new country.” 

Hope Acts is serving 13 students in this class, with plans to facilitate three more cohorts in 2026. Additionally, around 300 students access Hope Acts’ remote English language program classes through Zoom and WhatsApp each year.

Founded in 2012, Hope Acts is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides housing, English classes, and other resources that support immigrants in transitioning to life in Greater Portland and in achieving their goals for a successful future. Hope Acts envisions a community where immigrants are welcomed and empowered socially, emotionally, physically, economically, and spiritually.