At Altruic Advisors, we believe that it is an honor and a privilege to serve nonprofit organizations. Our accountants work exclusively with nonprofits, spending day after day with these amazing people who dedicate their lives to creating good in the world. Each organization is special in its own way, and our Client Spotlight series helps us to share their stories!
The Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning is a nonprofit community-based organization founded in 1979 and located in Denver, Colorado. Their mission is to empower people and organizations to succeed across languages and cultures. Over the last 37 years they have served Colorado by offering a number of services through six major programs. We asked Michele Soli, Outreach & Development Coordinator at Spring Institute, to explain how each of their programs offers a unique and essential service for Colorado residents:
Our Adult Education program offers participants tailored instruction in English as a Second Language (ESL), Workplace English, Adult Basic and Secondary Education, High School Equivalency Exam Preparation and Citizenship classes. Throughout the 2015-2016 school year, Spring Institute’s Adult Education program serviced 403 students at over 10 locations across the Denver Metro area. By helping students become more involved in their communities, our students have reported a high success rate of gaining better employment, improving citizenship skills and even obtaining a drivers license.
Photo via Spring Institute
Colorado Welcome Back by Spring Institute helps foreign-trained healthcare professionals reestablish healthcare careers in Colorado. The goal is for participants to be “job ready” in over 40 healthcare careers through a series of services including career planning, training workshops, employment support, and identification of interim opportunities. Our methods have proven to be highly effective and more than 600 people have participated in the program from over 85 countries.
Spring Institute's Intercultural Training and Consulting department builds cultural competence by working with nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies and global businesses. Our innovative training methods and techniques are highly interactive and take into account an array of individual learning styles. As the first organization in Colorado focused on diversity training, we have a proven track record of success, measured and documented through program outcomes and client feedback.
Photo via Spring Institute
Project SHINE by Spring Institute provides health literacy training and patient navigation services to underserved populations, especially refugee elders and their families. We strive to create more inclusive communities by engaging the most isolated populations and to decrease health disparities by helping people navigate our healthcare system and engaging them in preventative health activities in their communities. Project SHINE also offers a unique “Ready Tots” class, which welcomes children under the age of five and their guardians to learn about health literacy and school readiness together.
Photo via Spring Institute
The Interpreter Network is the leading provider of interpretation services in Colorado with the most comprehensive list of languages available – and the only major Colorado-based provider that requires interpreter training. It services a vast array of fields, including legal, engineering and medical, and even offers conferences. Our comprehensive translation process utilizes certified translators, editors, and proofreaders to ensure consistent quality results and we provide culturally appropriate translations that consider cultural nuances while being fully accurate.
Finally, The Spring Café is a social enterprise of Spring Institute that opened its doors in December 2015. In addition to providing exceptional beverages, snacks, breakfast & lunch options, The Spring Café & Learning Center is dedicated to providing a pathway to economic sufficiency for immigrants and refugees in the hospitality sector. We do this through hands-on training and temporary employment in The Spring Café while we assist them in their search for full-time employment.
Photo via Spring Institute
Our organization depends on the support of engaged community members. We are always looking for interested volunteers, especially to help with Project SHINE activities and ESL classes. If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out this form. If you would like to learn more about our organization, stop by The Spring Café (1373 Grant St – corner of 14th & Grant) anytime Monday-Friday 7:00am-5:30pm for some coffee and conversation.