2025
Annual ReportOUR STORY
Every day, Washington English Center (WEC) makes a difference in the lives of immigrants. Whether you are a student, volunteer, donor, or partner, you play a critical role in our community. WEC's 2025 Annual Report outlines how we—as that community—have a duty to welcome and embrace newcomers as they learn to read, write, listen to, and speak English with greater fluency and confidence.
For over 30 years, WEC has offered affordable English-language instruction and workforce programs to adult immigrants using volunteers. This fiscal year (from July 1st, 2024, through June 30th, 2025), we welcomed 1,904 immigrants and refugees from 105 countries.
Group classes take place mornings and evenings, online and in person; one-to-one tutoring happens at a time and place most convenient for the pair; citizenship classes, subject-matter clubs, museum tours, workplace trainings, and so much more occur in and around DC—and around the country and the globe.
We encourage you to read on to see the difference that you have helped make possible.
Our Students
“If I just stayed in my comfort zone, speaking the same language in a familiar environment, I wouldn’t grow much.” Yi, a student who started classes at WEC earlier this year, says that this is her philosophy for learning English. Her reason why English matters mirrors that of so many other students: “Through English, it feels like a new world is opening in front of me.”
With her son undergoing medical treatment at the National Institutes of Health, Yi says she’s “incredibly grateful” for the support she’s received from WEC’s volunteers—871 teachers, tutors, and club leaders who support immigrants in their language-acquisition journeys. “Stepping into a new language [...] is full of challenges,” she admits with a smile, quickly adding, “At the same time, it feels like it recharges my life.”
Over the last year, volunteers have donated nearly 50,000 hours of their time, valued at $2.46M in “in kind” contributions to WEC. Through this generosity, students like Yi are able to look to the future and envision what continued growth looks like: “First, to improve my English and continue making friends,” she says. “Second, to find a job that I can enjoy. That’s my motivation.”
Our Volunteers
They started off as a student (Sergio) and a teacher (Alex). Later, they became co-teachers, but they also became friends. Alex’s philosophy is that “you don’t have to have perfect English to have friendships in English.” Sergio agrees. “Sometimes I make mistakes, and Alex corrects me,” he says. “I think [students] value that, to be real and original.”
WEC’s students can tell, and it’s one of WEC's greatest strengths. When surveyed, 99% of students report that our volunteers make them feel welcome, and 97% say they would recommend classes at WEC to others. Sergio says that “because the sense of community, WEC is a place where you can learn and grow together.” As Alex sees it, sharing the triumphs of getting a job or having a baby “in so many ways, defines what a community is.”
As with all of WEC’s volunteers, the reason why someone teaches at WEC ultimately comes back to our students. Sergio puts it best: “We have some moments where we enjoy and we have fun. But, of course, always, we’re learning.” Alex agrees, relishing “the kind of moments when it’s clear what you’re adding to their life and education.” He adds, “It’s what WEC is all about.”
Our year in review
Our Community Partners
Nonprofits, government agencies, and corporate partners are essential to meeting the unique needs of WEC’s students—and DC Public Library (DCPL) and its Adult Learning Department does just that. “We don’t want to come up with something that ESOL programs are providing,” states Ben Merrion, an Education Specialist with DCPL, who has worked with WEC since 2006. “We want something that compliments what [ESOL programs] have.”
One way DCPL supports WEC’s students is via conversation circles used by immigrants seeking “extra practice [when] speaking and listening.” DCPL is one of the forty-one community partners WEC worked with this year via more than 50 programmatic gatherings. Those partners offer students legal advice, housing counseling services, health screenings, and beyond. Ben says that an important part of what he does involves an effort to “deepen relationships” with organizations DCPL is close to, like WEC, and find “opportunities to collaborate.”
WEC’s partners help us meet the needs of immigrants, and one way DCPL does this is by offering tours to classes. Whether students are making free photocopies or taking computer classes, requesting books via interlibrary loan or studying in the cafe, Ben says, “It’s been really good for the students to ask questions and find out what we do.”
Our board
“I am the daughter of Cuban refugees,” shares Kira Alvarez, the Immediate Past Chair of WEC’s Board of Directors and a fierce advocate of WEC’s work. “As a result,” she says, “the mission of WEC is near and dear to my heart.” For so many who support WEC—members of its Boards, individual donors, and classroom volunteers—a lived experience of immigration is central to their dedication. As such, it’s unsurprising that over half of WEC’s Board members are immigrants or the children of immigrants.
It’s an unfortunate reality, however, that immigrants and the organizations that want to see them succeed face dark days ahead. In spite of that, Kira remains bullish on WEC’s potential: “This is an organization that has the ability to confront challenges, meet them, and exceed them—and then continue growing and continue doing amazing work.”
Kira’s optimism, and the optimism present within WEC’s community, is contagious. Every day, the immigrants WEC serves grow more confident and comfortable speaking English; volunteers build deeper relationships with one another and within their classes; donors and grantors alike continue to see the outsized impact of their generosity. When examined together, Kira puts it best: “I see WEC’s future as limitless.”
Our Financials
Total Revenue: $1,704,623
*Includes $233,571 in pro bono legal services. **Net of $196,135 in scholarships and discounts.
Total Expenses◊: $1,921,489
†Includes $233,571 in pro bono legal services. ‡Net of $196,135 in scholarships and discounts.
◊Includes $347,302 in office operating lease expenses.
This fiscal year, WEC was not required to pay this rent as a part of our lease agreement.
Our Leadership
Included below are WEC’s staff and volunteer leaders as of the end of this fiscal year.
STAFF • Yaritza Abrego, Associate Director of Programs • Phillip Carlisle, Director of Development • Nataliia Cherevko, ESOL Specialist • Jessie Ebersole, Director of Programs • Leideen Escobar-Hernández, Programs Associate • Myles Griffin, Student Services Associate • Chris Griffiths, Director of Operations & Finance • Danna Gutman, Data Analytics Specialist • Gabrielle Morrison, Student Services Manager • Shaheda Mujaddedi, Programs Associate • John Odenwelder, Executive Director • Xilin Yao, Programs Manager
BOARD OF DIRECTORS • Kira Alvarez, Immediate Past Chair • Clare Bresnahan English • Ashley Bryant-Baker, Vice Chair • Mary Douglas • Brad Fresia • Miaoru Guan, Treasurer • Aleshia Harding • Minal Damani Kundra • Laura Levine, Secretary • Nay Lin • Barbara M. McGarey • Anu G. Mullick • Margot Peet, Ph.D., Chair • Griselda Sanchez • Steve Seidel • Santosh Viswanadham • Yanjia Wang
ASSOCIATE BOARD • Argus Bacskocky • Laura Bloomer • Quinn Carr • Nick Day • Hina M. Gir, Vice Chair • Kimberly Henrickson • Samantha Hubner • Basia Jones • Ashley Lantz • Anthony Livshen, Chair • Ellena Nasiri • Shruti Nayak • Karina Quintiliano • Palak Sabbineni • Disha Dinesh Sahni • Disha Sanwal • Jillian Welborn • Ciara Williams, Secretary
ACADEMIC ADVISORY BOARD • Brock Brady, Chair Emeritus • Claire Kevill, Chair • Sherry Lyons • Emily Naber • Soo Park • Sherry L. Steeley • Heather Tatton-Harris • Polina Vinogradova
EMERITUS MEMBERS OF THE BOARD • Susanne K. Bennet • Ellen Bennett • Amy F. Berger • Chip Brian-Horberg • Jennifer Browning • Frances F. Butler • Karren DeSeve • Francis P. Dicello • Mary Janice Dicello • Charles Dittrich • Johanna Mendelson Forman • Christopher Gerlach • Ann M. Gosier • Robin Hanerfeld • Susan K. Hattan • Sarah Hoagland • Alexia Kelley • Jeffrey Kelley • Joan M. Kerrigan • Joseph Khoury • Gerald Langan • Bonnie Loeb • Tamera Luzzatto • Henry Lynch • Carlos Martin • Thea Mason • Sylvia Miller • Diane Mooney • Sharon Owens Johnson • Fabian Rosado • Erin Haskell Ross • Jocelyn Samuels • Karen Yudelson Sandler • Robert Sledge • Liz Tisdale • Elizabeth Werner • Natalie Wexler • Louise Wides • Diane Zipursky
Our new home
This year marked a new chapter in WEC’s history: WEC signed a 12-year lease at 1100 G Street—four blocks over and two stories up from our previous home. Occupying the entire second floor of the building, WEC’s new home features large classrooms, an even greater level of metro accessibility, and beautiful, natural light.
Through the generosity of donors, we have proudly dedicated a number classrooms and spaces at WEC—including our Community Lounge, dedicated in honor of members of the Afghan Female Tactical Platoon. Time and time again, WEC's community partners have filled this space with relevant programming for immigrants, collaborating with WEC's staff to offer pro bono legal services, health screenings, workforce trainings, housing counseling, and beyond.
Certainly more than any other year in WEC’s history, the safety of our community was top of mind. Between January and June, WEC offered eight “know your rights” info sessions, as well as resource cards that students can carry in their wallets. These cards available in the nine most common languages our students speak, including Spanish, French, and Ukrainian. We are proud of the community we have built, and we look forward to continuing to support our students in their language acquisition goals.
Our Spring Event
WEC’s Annual Spring Event—held Thursday, May 15th, at the True Reformer Building on U Street—celebrated the Promise of a Future for our students. 200 donors, volunteers, students, and other members of WEC’s community came together for an evening filled with fantastic food, amazing music, and even better conversation.
Board Chair Margot Peet presented the Pilar Laugel Award for Exemplary Service to two volunteers who have gone above and beyond in their service to WEC and their affection for its community—Hina Gir and Susan Hattan. Immediate Past Chair Kira Alvarez presented the Champion for Immigrants Award to a pillar of the Washington, DC community—Director of the DC Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs, Jackie Reyes-Yanes.
The program featured a student singer, Roxana Sarrafi (from Iran, center). Two student speakers, Nataliia Semylietkova (from Ukraine, left) and Aníbal Pedrique (from Venezuela, right), provided moving remarks—detailing their journeys learning English at WEC, but, as always, with an eye toward what the future might hold beyond our doors.
Our Students (again!)
WEC regularly highlights the stories of intermediate- and advanced-level students, demonstrating their growth with English and progress toward their goals. However, over 25% of WEC's courses are for beginning-level students like Marcela, who feels more comfortable sharing her story in Spanish: "Expresarme o tener una conversación se me hace difícil," she says. Or, translated into English, "Expressing myself or having a conversation is what is most difficult for me."
WEC's classes help students like Marcela do just that. She shares that WEC's "teachers really try and make the effort for us to understand them. Everyone is very kind." This kindness, and the sense of community that WEC fosters through happy hours, graduations, and events around the city keeps students engaged and volunteers enthusiastic about teaching. To supplement WEC's classroom and workforce offerings, volunteers run dozens of free clubs each year. WEC's Art Club, Yoga Club, and Financial Literacy Club, in particular, are open to students of all levels.
When asked for her goals behind learning English, Marcela says, "Being able to communicate. Not having to depend on anyone to translate for me." She stops and smiles, looking at the WEC staff member helping to translate her response. Then continues: "I want to feel self-sufficient. Obtain better employment opportunities. Improve myself until I am able to speak like you."
Our Supporters
Provided below are the foundations, corporations, government agencies, and individuals who have supported our work this last fiscal year at the $500 level or above. We are grateful for every gift we receive, no matter the amount. This list does not include anonymous donations.
Valedictorian ($10,000+) • Jennifer and Vincent Browning • CLA Foundation • Cooley, LLP • Crimsonbridge Foundation • Minal Damani Kundra and Monish Kundra • DC Mayor’s Office of African Affairs (MOAA) • DC Mayor’s Office of Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (MOAPIA) • DC Mayor’s Office of Latino Affairs (MOLA) • Brad Fresia and Allister D'Souza • The Hillcrest Fund • Joan M. Kerrigan • Sheila Kerrigan • KIHOMAC • The Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation • Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) • Philip L. Graham Fund • Steve and Dian Seidel • Elizabeth K. Werner and Carl S. Kravitz
Dean’s List ($5,000 - $9,999) • The A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation • Maya Ajmera • Kira Alvarez and Tim Hruby • Amy F. Berger and Glen Nager • Capitol Counsel • Clark Construction • Marcie Ferris and Jamie Cohen • David and Tibby Ford • Kindy French and Emanuel Friedman • David and Barbara Garlock • Hina M. Gir • Ann M. Gosier • Susan K. Hattan and Steven Kittrell • Dr. Jeanne Holzgrefe and Glenn Westley • Keegan Werlin, LLP • Barbara and Patrick McGarey • Morgan Stanley • John Odenwelder and Nancy Noonan • Dr. Margot and Richard Peet • Liz and Patrick Tisdale • Louise and Burt Wides • Diane Zipursky and John Holmes
Honor Roll ($2,500 - $4,999) • Becker • Blank Rome, LLP • Ashley Bryant-Baker and Brian Baker • Julia Carroll • Carolyn Corwin • Joel and Kristin Cundick • Disha Dinesh Sahni and Hassan Rabbani • Mary Douglas and James Dick • FGS Global • Judy Floy • Margaret Freeston Hennessey • Ann and Tom Friedman • Felice Friedman and Michael Bromwich • Miaoru Guan and Bob Huang • Rose Gutfeld and Peter Edwards • Cheryl Kariya and Ulrich Hewer • Dina Lassow • Laura and Barry Levine • Nelson B. Delavan Foundation • Griselda Sanchez • Sun Management • Bess Touma • Karen Yudelson Sandler and Joseph Sandler
Scholar ($1,000 - $2,499) • Emily and Antoine van Agtmael • Wolfram Anders and Michele A. Manatt • Taylor Andrews • Mark Aronson • Ana Rivas Beck • Tamara Belt and Sean Greene • Susanne K. Bennet • Clare Bresnahan English • Marian Brodsky • Barbara Brown and Robert Berish • Fran and Frank Butler • Catherine Bye • Erin Carlisle Rosa and Elvis Vilasboas Rosa • Deborah W. Cowan • Laurie Davis and Joe Sellers • Charles Dittrich • Baylee Easterday • Patti Franco and Charles Clark • C.C. Gachet • Stephen Gibson • Mohammad Gir • Daniel Gordon and Paul Cadario • Mary Ellen and Michael J. Guerra • Aleshia Harding and Emmanuel Wondwossen • Connie Heller • Joe Hoban • Joseph F. Horning, Jr., and Lynne Horning • ImplantsDC • Shubha Iyengar • Jim Coleman Automotive • Margaret and David Johnson • Dean Jolliffe • Drs. Sally Jordan and Patti Lutsky • Katherine Kinsella • Mary Fran Kirchner • Cathy Klion and Tom Plotz • Seema Kumar • Roberta R. Larson • Alex Lescroart and Jason McMahon • Amy Lillis • Judge Alan and Liz S. Lourie • Tamera S. Luzzatto • Annie and Paul Mahon • Kathleen K. Manatt • Brigid McCarthy • Kathy McDonnell • Kathleen McGann • Diane Mooney • Anu and Taresh Mullick • Marian Osterweis • Jhon Pacheco • Christopher and Tracy Paulus • Daniel M. Price and Kim Heebner Price • Marina Primorac • Jacqueline Reidinger • Susan W. Ross • Linda Rubenstein • Bonnie Schlitz Loeb • Deborah Schneider • Elida Seretti-Pierson • Sibley Memorial Hospital, Johns Hopkins Medicine • Michelle and John Silwonuk • Francesca Stern • Martha Talley • Drs. Kathlyn Taylor Gaubatz and Kurt Gaubatz • Keven Vance and Philip Gerson • Yanjia Wang and Ting Yan • Rachel and Allison Weissman
Donor ($500 - $999) • Adele M. Thomas Charitable Foundation • Lori Ashford • Drs. Sima and Alex Bakalian • Maryjo Baxter • Stephanie and David Bergman • Debbie Berkowitz and Geoff Garin • George Bren • Clara Elena Brillembourg • Chris Burroughs • Mark Butler • Doris Campos-Infantino • Connie Chang • Daniel Citrin • Sue Cohn and Lawrence Novey • Corbi Cotter • Susan Crudgington • Preeti Deshmukh • Mary Janice and Frank Dicello • Lee Dumbacher • Andrew and Christina Ebersole • Sid and Betsy Edelmann • Diana and Richard England • Euro Motorcars • Erika Fischer • Marc and Phyllis Fleischaker • Foxhall Smiles, PC • Freedom Boat Club • Bruce Frishman • Cary Fuller • David Goldston • Anne and John Griffiths • Guilford Publications, Inc. • Lucy Hamachek • Chris and Kimberly Hart • Mark Hayes • Carolyn Hill • John Hollar • Daniel Horner • Victoria Hutter • John Mentis, Realtor • Basia Jones • Wendy Kahn • Atena Kamali • David Kenney • Adria Kinnier • Joseph Kovacich • Pallavi Kumar • LSWG, P.A. • Lydia Benson, Realtor • Mark Lynch • Liz Madjlesi and Jeff Hunt • Mary Noone, Realtor • Terry A. Marek • Carol M. Mates • Timothy May • Stacy Merenstein • Alan Miller • Steve Mufson • George Penny, III, and Mary Haskin • Eleanor and Daniel Perl • Susan Raskin • Gretchen Robbins • Leslie Rose and Stephen Kohn • Heidi Schadler • Bill and Alison Shields • Cornelia Sweezy • Caitlin Van Orden • Christine Weiss • Natalie Wexler and James Feldman • Eric Zimmerman • Susannah Zimmermann