INSPIRA! Summer Camp Shows Patrick, Dylan and Jose a World of Opportunities

At Inspira! summer camp Patrick, Dylan and Jose discovered a new world of science, math, fun activities, and inspiration to succeed in the future. The three boys, along with around 300 other youth participated in weekly field trips, hands-on instruction in math and science, daily physical activity and enrichment activities such as visual arts, dance and drama.

The LAA’s INSPIRA! summer camp is a four-week math and science program for children in the first through seventh grade. The summer camp is part of the LAA’s overall INSPIRA! youth initiative, designed to improve academic achievement.

The LAA camp experience is not like an ordinary summer camp. “INSPIRA! is an enrichment program that helps youth achieve their aspirations for academic success,” said Letycia Pastrana, managing director of community relations and development at the LAA. “Children enjoy interactive projects and have fun while they are learning.”

My family is stronger thanks to the Latin American Association!

When Sara Camarena first walked through the doors of the Latin American Association’s Norcross Outreach Center, she knew she had found a safe harbor for her and her family. Becoming a better parent and building a closer relationship with her son were extremely important goals for the mother from Mexico. The programs she discovered at the LAA allowed her to accomplish both.

Motivated by a desire create strong family bonds, Sara joined parenting classes at the LAA, and for the past two years has enrolled her 8-year-old son, Adolfo, in the LAA’s ¡Inspira! summer camp.

“I have become a better person because of the classes I took at the LAA,” Sara said. “They have helped me to be more relaxed and remain optimistic that we can find solutions to problems we have had as a family. Before, I didn’t see things clearly, but now my horizons have broadened. I see that I can grow together with my son, and I understand the stages of growth that children go through.”

Sara has particularly enjoyed the peace-of-mind that her son’s involvement with the LAA’s summer camp has given her. “Knowing that my son is in a safe place and is learning has helped me feel in control of my family situation,” she said. “Since we don’t have family here, it is a great help to know that the LAA is there to provide friendly support.”

To Sara, the LAA has been a resource that has helped her keep moving forward, learn new things, and maintain a positive attitude. “I see that it is a matter of positive thinking- that, yes, I can be a good mother,” said Sara. “There is so much to learn in the LAA’s programs, and in the future I look forward to learning English and discovering new classes. And of course I will keep bringing my son to summer camp! In the future I see him becoming a volunteer at the LAA.”

Yo Logré encontrar el trabajo de mis sueños con la Asociación Latinoamericana!

Meet Orquidea Lulo, a 49-year-old who came to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic in search of a better life for herself and her family.  With little English and no work experience in the U.S., Orquidea took a job working for tips as a delivery driver for Pizza Hut.  Her meager earnings made it difficult to make ends meet for her family, and she wondered how she would provide for them in the way that would lead to success in a new country.  When she heard on the radio about a special landscaping training program offered by the LAA’s employment services, Orquidea was excited about the possibilities.  

The 49-year-old’s love of plants started in the Dominican Republic where she had extensive experience with gardening through work and her own personal garden.  After moving to Atlanta, however, Orquidea was not able to match her skills and experience with steady work. She immediately contacted the program coordinator with hopes of better employment that she so desperately needed.

The landscape training program is part of the LAA’s larger Transitional Employment Program, which also includes construction training, nanny training and substitute teacher training. The goal of the transitional employment program is to help jobseekers who are having difficulty finding sustainable employment increase their skills and consequently, secure and maintain a stable job while providing them a path toward upward mobility.

In the LAA’s four-week landscaping training course, offered in collaboration with the University of Georgia, Orquidea was able to build on the skills and interests she already had. Along with fellow program participants, she visited various landscaping companies and nurseries, learned new landscaping skills, improved her English through classes, and received certification in pesticide distribution. Orquidea also received several credits that allowed her to continue her training with the University of Georgia. 

After graduating from the program, Orquidea applied for a job with Lowe’s. Her application fell into the hands of a manager who had attended her graduation ceremony at the LAA. Already familiar with her skills, he immediately hired her.

“I am so proud of Orquidea and happy for her success,” says Marlen Ruiz, Career Counselor at the Latin American Association. “She is now working close to home and is very happy.  In addition, there are possibilities for advancement! She does what she loves every day and feels that the investment she made with the LAA’s transitional employment program has more than paid her back.”

I found a job that changed my life thanks to the Latin American Association!

Dennise Cacho visited the employment department at the Latin American Association's Atlanta Outreach Center for what she thought was simply drop off her resume. Instead the 30 year old from Puerto Rico walked out with an interview opportunity at State Farm Insurance Company. A week later she landed the job as an insurance agent.

This unexpected change in Dennise's life has not only opened doors for her professionally, but it has lifted her spirits and made a very positive impact in her life. She is now able to enjoy life to the fullest and spend more time with her family.

"Before I found out about the services offered at the LAA, I was very unhappy with my job. I was working different hours every day, which made spending time with my family very difficult," said Dennise. " Also, I didn't feel challenged at work and had little opportunity to grow professionally."

After attending the LAA's State Farm interview session and through building positive relationships with LAA staff such as Eliezer and Irma, Dennise was able to make great progress from a job she felt was holding her back, to a career that lets her truly succeed.

"What I thought would just be a job became a career," said Dennise. "The LAA's services exceeded all of my expectations and thanks to them I have become a very successful person. I have found a career that I really love and that allows me to help people."

Now Dennise makes an impact in the lives of many other Latinos in Atlanta with the expertise she gained at State Farm Insurance. She educates Atlanta's Hispanic community by teaching classes and seminars at the LAA focused on the importance of auto, home and life insurance.

"The most important thing is that I now have the opportunity to help by sharing my knowledge with our Hispanic community," said Dennise. "My favorite experience at the LAA is being able to talk to people about the importance of insurance. I help answer many people's questions and that makes me feel valuable."

Laughter, camaraderie, and support for one another characterize the friendship of 8-year-old Imanol and 9-year-old Migger who became fast friends in the Latin American Association’s after school program at Woodward Elementary School. The two students truly found a place to belong in the program and experienced amazing opportunities to learn, improve and be active.

“At the beginning, both Migger and Imanol struggled a lot with English. But, after participating in the program, we have seen incredible improvements,” explained Meghan Borin, their language arts teacher at Woodward Elementary School. “Imanol’s achievements are especially awesome because he just arrived from Mexico this year. I am so proud of them. Both are now reading independently, can read out loud and their vocabulary has expanded a great deal.”

Migger’s strong desire to learn and achieve is evident when she talks about her experiences in the program. The students take tutorials where they work on listening skills and reading comprehension.

“I like to be here. Its fun and I enjoy doing whatever the teacher asks us to do,” said Migger. “When I grow up, I want to be a doctor, a teacher or an artist. Being here will help me because I learn a lot from the teachers. I can listen and learn.”

Students also participate in art, soccer, tennis, dance, and nutritional activities. They are physically active, but remain academically engaged without even knowing it. Art classes have sparked a desire in Imanol to use his creativity and become an artist. “I want to be an artist when I grow up. Drawing is my favorite activity.” said Imanol, “I like to draw things to remember Mexico, like the flag.”

 “I like the dancing,” added Migger, with a smile. “My favorite day in the program was the day we looked at pictures of dancers, and then copied the same pose with our bodies.”