Migrant Education

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Mano en Mano works with eligible migrant students in Washington County who qualify for educational assistance from the federal government. Mano en Mano’s regional coordinators work closely with students’ schools and families to set achievable goals that foster students’ academic growth and success. We collaborate with partner organizations  to provide a range of services, programs, and events throughout the year that have been developed to promote leadership ability, develop academic confidence, increase literacy, and help students recognize their potential.

Beginning in Summer 2013, Mano en Mano will operate the Blueberry Harvest School. For more information (including employment inquiries), please visit this link.

The scope of Mano en Mano’s educational programming includes:

• Connecting students with workplace readiness & job-training opportunities
• Making referrals and advocating for student health, social services, and other educational services
• Facilitating activities that promote leadership, high school graduation, GED attainment, and post-secondary education
• Increasing language and math ability with life skills workshops and individualized programming
• Hosting functions that directly target migrant families, and that showcase students’ work and progress
• Addressing family issues that prevent access to services (through advocacy), if applicable

Year-round services
During the year, Mano en Mano unites students with resources that encourage their academic success. These resources are catered to students individual needs and range from 1-on-1 tutoring and mentoring to group workshops and classes.

Below are some examples of recent educational programming: 

• Comienza en Casa | “It Starts at Home”: Comienza en Casa integrates technology use (iPads) into a curriculum that provides parents  with activities and information so that they may promote their preschoolers school readiness at home.
• Workshops: Talks and conversations on teen sexual health, nutrition and healthful eating, and on planning, applying, and paying for college
• Peer health training programs: “Jovenes promotores de salud”, a collaboration between Mano en Mano, the Maine Migrant Education Program, and a local nurse practitioner, is a series of monthly training sessions for adolescents surrounding topics in teen health, culminating in a health fair & celebration.
• Other activities and events include:hosting graduation ceremonies for non-traditional students, tutoring and 1-on-1 assistance, supplemental English & Literacy classes, interpretation, and parent support.

Blueberry harvest services
Every August, we modify our programming to include migrant students who have come for the Maine wild blueberry harvest and are often living in isolated camps. As part of the Maine Migrant Education Program, we provide on-site lessons customized to students’ interests and academic needs. While the Harvest school provides services for younger students, our services are offered to the 14-21 year olds who often are raking blueberries, working in a blueberry processing factory, or supporting their working family members (i.e., caring for siblings).

NEW: Mano en Mano has been selected to design and operate the 2013 Blueberry Harvest School. For more information, please click here.

To learn more:
Click here to download a PDF about our programming from the 2012 season.
Click here to view work and projects by our students.

If you or someone you know may qualify for these services, you may refer them to Mano en Mano or the Maine Department of Education.