Educating the next generation

When Rosa’s father saw the sign advertising free English classes at Cristo Rey Presbyterian Church, little did he know that these classes would be the beginning of his family’s Casa story. Since then, every member of Rosa’s family has been positively impacted by the robust programming and supportive community at Casa del Lago. 

Rosa and her family

Her husband, for example, participated in the ESL classes. Her sons were enrolled in the Early Childhood Education (ECE) program and would later receive academic support in After School Reading and Summer Reading Camp when they entered elementary school. Rosa’s older son, Ernesto, worked for Summer at the Lake as a member of the Summer Youth Corps.

And Rosa? In addition to the ESL classes she initially took, she participated in the classes and seminars given to ECE parents and enrolled in computer literacy classes!

Three years after her very first ESL class, Rosa became a treasured member of our staff as an assistant teacher in our ECE program. 

“I enjoy what I do,” she says with a smile. “I love when I arrive and when we receive the children. I love to see them come in with a big smile and give us a hug—or expecting a big hug from us as well! They are ready to learn and ready to have fun with us.”

Rosa (in red) with one of their ECE students.