English Conversation Club Helps Ukrainian Immigrants In Sarasota Area

SARASOTA, FL — With the Ukraine-Russia war raging on, the Sarasota area continues to see an influx of Ukrainians fleeing the violence in their country. And as they acclimate to living in the U.S., many of these refugees have found their way to the free English Conversation Club offered by the nonprofit organization NicerFL.

“Suddenly we have an avalanche of Ukrainian refugees, and more and more are contacting me every day,” Maya Lane, the organization’s founder, told Patch.

The groups, which are open to immigrants from all countries, meet regularly online and in person at venues like the Morgan Family Community Center in North Port and the Selby and Fruitville libraries in Sarasota. (Find the most updated information about program times and locations here.)

With the popularity of these meetups growing, its resources are being taxed the nonprofit is in need of assistance so they can accommodate more immigrants — from spaces to host their groups to English tutors to monetary donations.

“We're not huge. We're not big,” Lane said. “If more people help, that would be awesome.”

The Bradenton resident knows firsthand what it’s like to immigrate to the U.S. from a country where English isn’t the primary language. She moved to California from Bulgaria in 2003, landing in Sarasota by 2011.

Lane knew English well, though. So well, that she taught the language in her homeland. And in both Los Angeles and Manatee County, she taught English to immigrant students learning it for the first time, both at public schools and the college level.

Eventually, she wanted to do more for the local immigrant community, and she founded NicerFL.

“I just wanted to give back after so many years and I know new immigrants go through a lot,” she said.

Lane understood the community well.

“I know exactly what they’re going through. I’ve cleaned houses and I’ve been babysitting before I could work in my profession,” she said. “I feel for those who don’t speak the language at all. For me, it was a little easier. I did speak English, but even then, I was afraid to speak to people.”

The group’s meetings turned into so much more than English lessons, she added. The tutors and volunteers have served as mentors to many attendees.

Many of the Ukrainians don’t know where to start when they arrive to the U.S., Lane said. And often, their work permit and social security number are delayed because they have a temporary protected status, so they’re unable to work.

“We ended up helping them find free clinics. Created fliers for jobs advertising to them. Advising them on immigration lawyers, the school district,” she said. “All these things they need help with. We’re not just helping them with the English language. We’re trying to help them have a better life here.”