The English Learning Center

What The English Learning Center does

The English Learning Center (ELC) is a free adult education program operated by Our Saviour's Community Services (OSCS), a Minnesota-incorporated 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered at 2315 Chicago Avenue South in Minneapolis. Founded in 1981 by Our Saviour's Lutheran Church as The Language Project and renamed in 1990, the ELC provides English language instruction, math, digital literacy, and citizenship preparation to adult immigrants and refugees. In FY24-25, the ELC served 817 students from 49 countries of origin speaking 35 primary languages and delivered 50,853 hours of instruction, a 20% year-over-year increase in learning hours. The program is volunteer-driven, supported by 161 volunteer teachers who contributed 4,360 hours, and is staffed by licensed adult basic education teachers and bilingual personnel covering up to 13 languages.

The ELC's delivery model combines in-person and online instruction through a synchronized hybrid curriculum. Every classroom is equipped with a Promethean interactive display board used to project digital textbooks, browse the internet, and play educational video and audio. Classes operate Monday through Thursday in morning and evening blocks across seven instructional levels (Foundations through advanced), with specialized modules in citizenship preparation, conversational English, and digital literacy. The ELC sits alongside OSCS's second core program, Our Saviour's Housing (OSH), which runs a 38-bed emergency shelter at 2219 Chicago Avenue South and serves over 100 permanent supportive housing residents—219 total residents were supported across shelter and housing programs in FY24-25.

OSCS's combined FY24-25 revenue totaled approximately $5.73 million, with government grants contributing 50% ($2.85M) and emergency shelter grant proceeds 27% ($1.52M). Earned income from medical respite partnerships and supportive housing rent accounted for 10% ($597K), with the remainder from in-kind contributions (4%), foundation and corporate grants (3%), individual donations (3%), other income (2%), and faith community support (1%). The organization is led by Executive Director Mike Huffman, operates programs across two adjacent South Minneapolis facilities, and recently earned the Platinum Candid Seal of Transparency for nonprofit accountability.

Name

The English Learning Center

Legal name

Our Saviour's Community Services

Website

https://oscs-mn.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The English Learning Center, a 501(c)(3) program of Our Saviour's Community Services in Minneapolis, provides free English language, math, digital literacy, and citizenship classes to 817 adult immigrants and refugees annually from 49 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adult Education and Social Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171), Language Schools (611630)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Immigrant/Integration Language Programs (ESL/ESOL, Civics-Integrated) (EDAMAFAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

ESL/ELL Literacy & Academic English Support (EDAMAJAJ), General ESL Programs (Multi-level Adult ESL) (EDAAACAA), English for Citizenship (ESL/Civics Integrated) (EDAAADAC)

Keywords

• Adult English education
• Immigrant education programs
• Emergency shelter services
• Permanent supportive housing
• Nonprofit community services

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Government Grants: Primary funding source representing 50% of revenue ($2,852,234). Includes state funding for adult education programs and Hennepin County shelter services.
2. Emergency Shelter Operations: 27% of revenue ($1,520,342) from shelter capital project and emergency shelter grant proceeds.
3. Earned Income: 10% of revenue ($596,778) from medical respite partnerships and rent income from permanent supportive housing.
4. Individual Donations: 3% of revenue ($162,148) from individual donors, including monthly Changemaker program supporters.
5. Foundation and Corporate Grants: 3% of revenue ($182,000) from foundation and corporate philanthropy.
6. In-Kind Contributions: 4% of revenue ($255,993) from material donations, volunteer services, and food contributions.
7. Faith Community Support: 1% of revenue ($71,672) from faith community partnerships and congregations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The English Learning Center (ELC) provides free English language education and basic skills classes—including English, math, digital literacy, and citizenship preparation—for adult immigrants and refugees. It operates through the parent nonprofit Our Saviour's Community Services, which also runs Our Saviour's Housing (emergency shelter and permanent supportive housing). ELC delivers instruction across seven levels in both in-person and online modalities, serving approximately 817 students annually from 49 countries.

Product overview

The English Learning Center operates as part of Our Saviour's Community Services, a nonprofit organization offering two core programs: the English Learning Center (ELC) providing free English language education for adult immigrants and refugees, and Our Saviour's Housing (OSH) providing emergency shelter and permanent supportive housing. The ELC uses volunteer teachers and technology-enhanced learning (Promethean boards, online/hybrid classes) to serve 350-817 students annually across multiple class levels. OSH serves approximately 38 shelter guests nightly and 100+ permanent supportive housing residents. The organization is funded by government grants (50%), emergency shelter grant proceeds (27%), earned income, in-kind contributions, foundations, individuals, and faith communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• English Learning Center (ELC) A free, culturally sensitive English language education program for adult immigrants and refugees, offering classes in English, math, digital literacy, and citizenship preparation across seven instructional levels. The program serves approximately 350-817 students annually through morning and evening classes, in-person and online modalities.
• Our Saviour's Housing (OSH) Emergency shelter and permanent supportive housing services for single adults experiencing homelessness. Provides 38-bed emergency shelter with 24/7 access, three meals daily, and supportive resources, plus permanent supportive housing serving 100+ residents with mental illness, physical disability, or substance use disorder.
• Street Law Program Legal education program delivered by law students from University of St. Thomas and University of Minnesota in partnership with the Minnesota Justice Foundation, teaching adult learners about the U.S. legal system, constitutional amendments, and civic engagement.
• Workplace English Classes Organized online English classes for employees of local businesses interested in learning English, using a partnership-based approach to reach adult learners in their workplaces.
• Permanent Supportive Housing Case Management Case management services for over 100 Permanent Supportive Housing residents maintaining an 18:1 caseload ratio, supporting residents in goals including employment, food access, ID acquisition, and medical services.

Quantifiable outcome

• 817 students enrolled in FY24-25, representing 49 countries and 35 primary languages
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered secondary and core.

• Indigenous Protector MovementsecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Nonprofit organization expanding to become owners and stewards of St. Stephen's Residence building. Part of landBack movement and community reparation efforts. OSCS will transition operations of this permanent supportive housing building.
• Fairview Health ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2024Medical respite partnership providing care and temporary housing for people who are unsheltered. Guests access shelter through this partnership, receiving healthcare services while working toward stable housing.
• People IncorporatedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Mental health services partnership providing onsite mental health services to shelter guests and additional training for staff to better support mental health needs. 36 guests connected with onsite provider, 73 therapy sessions completed, 18 comprehensive evaluations conducted.
• Minnesota Justice FoundationsecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership to bring Street Law educational program to ELC students. University of St. Thomas and University of Minnesota law students teach weekly lessons about U.S. legal system, constitutional rights, and safe interactions with law enforcement.
• Hennepin CountycoreOthers · 1 January 2024Government funding and services partnership including shelter operations, FORTIFY program for backup battery installation, and Coordinated Entry system for housing referrals.
• Our Saviour's Lutheran ChurchcoreOthers · 1 January 1981Founding organization that established The Language Project (now English Learning Center) in 1981. Historical partnership evolved into legally separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2004. OSLC remains building owner and ex-officio board member.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• International Institute of Minnesota: St. Paul-based nonprofit providing resettlement, ESL, employment, and integration services for immigrants and refugees in Minnesota. Comparable service mix (ESL + wraparound support) and target population.
• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis: Regional Catholic Charities affiliate delivering ESL, immigration legal services, refugee resettlement, and housing programs in the Twin Cities. Directly comparable integrated newcomer-services model.
• Literacy Minnesota: Minnesota-based adult literacy and ESL organization providing free classes to adult learners, including immigrants and refugees. Directly comparable mission, volunteer-driven model, and free student services in the same geography.
• Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota: Faith-rooted Minnesota nonprofit providing refugee services, ESL, employment training, and housing support. Comparable faith-community heritage, geography, and integrated service portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• World Relief: National refugee resettlement and immigrant services organization providing ESL, employment, and integration support across multiple U.S. cities. Broader geographic footprint but directly comparable service mix and target population.
• HIAS: National Jewish refugee resettlement agency offering reception, placement, and integration services including ESL across many U.S. sites. Operates at much larger scale but addresses the same refugee + ESL needs.

Regional players

• Casa de Esperanza: Minnesota-based organization serving Latino immigrant communities with ESL, housing, and family services. Comparable ESL offerings for an immigrant population and Twin Cities geography.
• Pillsbury United Communities: Minneapolis-based community services nonprofit serving the same Phillips/South Minneapolis neighborhoods with education, housing, and wraparound support. Comparable mission and geography, broader program breadth.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/oscs_mn
• Facebookfacebook.com/englishlearningcenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/our-saviours-community-services
• Instagraminstagram.com/oscs_mn

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The English Learning Center