For newcomers to the United States, daily life can feel unfamiliar.

The language, the systems, even the way we get around, everything works differently here.

Adjusting to a new home means learning how to navigate not just the streets, but an entirely new way of life.

At Oak Ridge, learning to drive can be a step toward independence in a new place.

Oak Ridge is Iowa's largest affordable housing organization.

We've been around for nearly 60 years.

We provide affordable housing to Iowans.

The unique thing about Oak Ridge is that we offer multi-generational wraparound services, really creating a pathway for our individuals who are just trying to achieve their version of the American Dream.

Nebbe: One of those services is driver's education, offered in the many languages spoken across the Oak Ridge community.

When youre in a parking lot and want to reverse onto the roa start by turning on your car.

Access to reliable transportation has always been a barrier to employment.

Transportation is essential for someone to get a job.

In Des Moines, in general, we don't have a 24/7 transit system, because we're a small town, and also most of our clients, actually, they work, like, odd shifts, so some like overnight.

A bus line does not get to every area in town, as well.

And most of the jobs that are available are kind of away from the bus lines.

So being able to drive then gives you that freedom to find the job that is suitable for you.

I'm Abubaker Mohammed.

I'm a case manager at Oak Ridge Neighborhood Service.

I'm also a behind the wheel instructor.

The first thing she has to check and go around the car, make sure that no flat tires.

Also, she has to check under the car.

There's not any oil leak.

Also behind the car.

Make sure there is no animal, there's no small kids.

And also there's not any damage in the car.

One student, she's like new, I think just one year here in the United States, and she never drive or have any idea about driving before.

So, and she started just like -- this is the second week, but now she's doing good.

[ Speaking a global language ] 90% of our students here, they don't have even any background of driving.

We start from the scratch.

[ Engine starts ] Shift the gear into reverse, When like the first time, the student will be like so scary.

And they tell me "How -- I don't have any idea about driving, so how I can do that?

Maybe I make an accident."

But I told them no, it's okay.

It's easy.

Check your mirrors and look over your shoulder to make sure the area is clear.

Even our car is like designed for training.

So we have even the second brake.

Then slowly back up.

Remember, if you want the back of your car to move to the right turn the steering wheel to the l if you want it to move to the left, turn the wheel to t So I just thought to talk to them.

Everything will be good.

If you fail to control the car, I can control it.

They don't know about the signs, about the rules.

That's the main thing that we teach them, how to know about signs on the road.

Once youve positioned your car shift the gear into drive, straighten the steering wheel, and carefully move forward onto Adam: This is new for me.

That is important for me because I take my kids to school.

I go to the class for learning English, go to job and go to shopping.

Everything, I can do that alone.

Maybe good, for everything, not just for car, for your life, I think.

We don't often think about getting a license as being a barrier in our country, but it can be when you're an adult, and you've never driven before, and you're unfamiliar with the practices.

You know, there's folks that are coming from countries that don't have stoplights, that don't have active electricity, where they can't access fuel.

In those cases, driving is a true luxury.

And so they interpret it in that way when they come here.

But realizing that, "Oh, I too can drive."

It's not for the king.

It's not just for the queen.

It's for a regular individual who just has basic needs, basic responsibilities, and goals that they're trying to accomplish.

We're seeing people purchase vehicles.

We're seeing people take pride in independence.

They're able to maneuver their families around.

This is really creating a pathway to strengthen our workforce and strengthen families, something so simple as driving, what some of us take for granted.

And we're meeting that need because it exists.