A New Preschool Class at the Iraqi Arabic School

The Iraqi Arabic School is a volunteer-led initiative teaching the Arabic language to children from Iraqi, Syrian, Libyan, and Moroccan families. Volunteer teachers and administrators run the classes, online and in person. The families are largely low-income and immigrant households, many of whom could not otherwise access Arabic language education. Co-founder Aras Dezay saw a chance to start that learning even earlier. His goal is a dedicated preschool classroom, and this fall he brought that goal to Ready to Grow.

Ready to Grow is SVP Portland’s four-month business accelerator designed for preschool leaders who are ready to expand to serve more children. Over the course of the program, participants get hands-on learning, practical tools, and expert guidance from the SVP network through a series of facilitated sessions and workshops. SVP Investor Partner Dani Kerrigan serves as our fall cohort's business coach, providing confidential one-on-one mentorship to each organization, including the Iraqi Arabic School.

Partway through, Aras already has news to share. "We have officially launched our new preschool class," he says. "This has been a significant milestone for the Iraqi Arabic School, and we are eager to ensure this program is both high-quality and sustainable for the families we serve."

The new class teaches Arabic to low-income preschool-aged children, as well as outdoor and STEAM activities, in a way that connects them with their community and culture. Aras and his team use AI to create engaging learning materials for these young students.

He credits the work with Dani and the cohort curriculum for shaping how the school is building the class. "Working with Dani on our business structure has been incredibly valuable, and the insights from the modules are already helping me think differently about our organization's long-term sustainability."

“Aras is an exemplary cohort member whose dedication runs deep,” says Jenn Luevano-Brummett, SVP Ready to Grow Program Manager. “From sacrificing his Saturdays to putting in extra hours after work, he pours his heart into ensuring his community keeps its home language alive. His warmth, collaborative spirit, and unwavering commitment make him a true bright spot in our group. I’m so excited for this next chapter for the Iraqi Arabic School.”

The school's youngest learners now have a first step into the language their families brought with them, in a class that keeps them close to their culture and community.