ESL CLASSES
Planned for those who are limited English Proficiency. The SDO organization focuses on building a person’s English language skills and becoming someone who can communicate clearly with the community they live in and those they work with. ESL Classes led by experienced educators and supported by culturally responsive community helpers who understand the unique needs of immigrant and refugee populations. Every element of the program is designed to strengthen social connections, enhance family stability, and equip participants with the tools needed for long-term economic independence.This ESL program initiative will offer accessible, community-based education for adult learners in a supportive and inclusive environment. Hosted at the Community Builder Rainier Vista in collaboration with the Seattle Housing Authority, the program will operate three days a week and focus on four core areas: English language acquisition, digital literacy, life skills development, and job readiness training.
Our organization historically served this King County and South King County demographic within the geographic area has a strong track record of supporting immigrant, refugee, and low-income families across South King County, particularly those from East African communities. Since 2023, SDO has supported more than a dozen families through the full process of becoming licensed childcare providers. Our model removes systemic barriers and helps build trusted, culturally grounded childcare options in underserved neighborhoods. We offer culturally and linguistically responsive mentorship in Somali, Oromo, and Arabic, specifically serving families with limited income, limited English proficiency, and little to no experience navigating Washington’s licensing systems. Our hands-on support includes licensing applications, business planning, background checks, health and safety compliance, curriculum development, inspection preparation, and policy development aligned with state requirements. We guide them through licensing, explain and translate WAC regulations, and connect them to key resources.
CULTURAL INTEGRATION
SDO teaches new communities the importance of social integration, encourages them to embrace other cultures, learn from others, and share their rich culture and history. We encourage them to attend meetings and events where different communities come together. We encourage them not to be afraid to speak up with their neighbors and those they meet at public events. We train them to be proud of their culture and history, and to respect different cultures and beliefs.
JOB READINESS / DIGITAL LITERACY
The main purpose behind vocational training is to guide the community towards learning skills and developing themselves. We provide technical support in the form of language and encourage the community to change their lives by taking training appropriate to the profession they want to learn. This organization encourages the community, especially those living in South King County, to learn English, computers, other important skills and like how the internet works, cooking skills, dyeing clothes, stitching, and simple mechanics. Also, our mission is to empower individuals, enabling them to leverage these gears effectively in pursuit of their educational, engagement, and broader life goals.
YOUTH SERVICES
SDO focuses on helping new communities build and develop skills and learn employable skills and educational avenues through training and mentorship internship with employment support. Participants gain, skills training, and educational services, ensure a pathway for school to life success. This is attained through individualized case managing and mentoring directed in their inbornlanguage.
hOMELESS PRECULSION
Skills developments organization tries to avoid homelessness among low-income youth and families by offering application support, counseling, and various housing stabilization facilities. Our complete method goals to thwart removals, home losses, and homelessness, backup individuals in upgrading their lives and upholding housing permanency. Knowing the sensitive susceptibility of refugees and immigrants, combined by Washington’s high cost of alive, SDO admit the importance of safeguarding stable housing and well-paying occupations to ensure financial steadiness for the societies in Seattle.
EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
The SDO organization provides advice on how to fill out an application, how to prepare for a short interview, and how to search for a job. Also, SDO support and provide job search assistance, including personal interviews, job club / networking events, study sessions, resume, interview preparations, pretend interviews with traineeship and application supports, client referral with network cohorts.