By Camila Fowler, Nebraska Public Media
Lincoln Literacy helps immigrants and refugees acclimate to life in the U.S. by teaching literacy skills, and now the group is also helping people learn to drive.
“Some of them come and they are very afraid,” said Nancy Jerez, instructor and Assistant Director of Autoskill Programs. “Even if they are in front of the simulator, they are afraid. I think that they get more confident doing that week-by-week. They are learning and they are getting familiar with the parts of the car, that is good for them.”
The eight-week program uses a driving simulator. The purpose of the class is to help people get their driver’s license. Refugee Meena Shams began the class nearly two months ago.
“It was joyful,” Shams said. “I’m very interested in driving because of job opportunities. When I decided to move out to the U.S., it was a big challenge for me because my parents [did] not agree, but I convinced them it’s an opportunity for me.”
The nonprofit offers a variety of language, career and academic courses. The “Driving Legally and Safely in Nebraska” courses began in March.
“Now we’re getting more and more requests for using it,” said Julie Grivs, Associate Director of Adult Skills Programs. “[We have] to decide what is the best way to make sure that the people that need it the most get access to it. We have a second simulator, but we don’t have it working quite yet. It will be able to help people even learning a commercial driving license or preparing for those exams.”
There are currently 25 students enrolled. Students are able to practice during weekdays, they typically do so for 2-3 hours.
“When they just arrive they don’t have a car, they don’t know their city, they don’t know anything,” said Sandra Rojo, Associate Director of English Language Learning Programs. “Us being able to provide transportation for them and English classes is something life changing for them.”
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