Learning & Loving Education Center
Learning & Loving Education Center
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“ I love the Center; all the women are great,” Yabumoto said.“ Every time I come back it makes me happy to see my library in use.”
In addition to literacy classes, the Center offers computer technology programs. Some of these are basic programs,“ From typing and learning how to keyboard, all the way up to intermediate Quickbooks,” Hanson said.
Several of their women have husbands with small businesses, and learning Quickbooks allows them to act as bookkeepers for them.“ Hopefully these classes will prepare them for future employment,” she said.
Supporting Families
Since many of the women who come in have small children, there is a small preschool and daycare onsite for children ages 22 months to five years. Any woman who is there taking classes can bring her children to be cared for during her studies, which Hanson said is a big help.
“ People always say [ we support ] women, but I focus on the fact that these are mothers. The unique thing about our Center is that mothers and young children can go to school together,” Yinger said.
There is even a parenting class, offered in partnership with Rebekah Children ' s Services, free of charge, and a newlyadded citizenship preparation class.
They also try to keep a“ holistic program,” that keeps the body and creativity in mind, Hanson said, offering Yoga classes, sewing classes, knitting and art.
Hanson is deeply inspired by the women who participate in their program.“ In spite of many difficulties and challenges, these women really want to better themselves, they want to learn English, to be part of the community, and they’ re very giving.”
The center sees women from about age 20 to their late 70s, though the median age is“ around 40” Hanson said.“ Some of the older women are coming to learn the language. It’ s difficult but they want to, and it’ s rewarding to see how hard they work.”
“[ The women ], who come from so many countries, want what every mother wants for their kids; which is a good education and a better life. The fact that we have an opportunity to provide that kind of service is, to me, the crux of what’ s so good about what happens here,” Yinger said.
Hanson estimates that they have touched some 3,000 women’ s lives, and that ripples out much wider when you include the children’ s and families ' lives, as well.
When Hanson has asked women what they like about the Center,“ They say‘ It’ s like another home to me. I’ ve made friends here, everyone is kind to me.’” She believes that the women feel especially safe there.
These women are all“ very key in their families,” Hanson added, and they all value education.“ I see a real shift in people [ when they come to the Center ]; these women care about their children and want them to succeed and be part of this country they’ ve come to.”
Hanson firmly believes that the Center is creating“ a foundation” of education for these women that they are keen to continue within their own families. She said that many of the children of the women who come to the Center go on to big colleges such as UCLA, UC Berkeley and Cal Poly. She said she likes to believe that the Center plays a part in their success.
A Question of Funding
Their biggest challenge is always funding. Hanson is amazed that they can make it all work, and they are always looking for new donor sources.
There is some anxiety over how the latest changes to the tax code will affect whether individual donors can continue to write off their donations, which she hopes won’ t change their support, but she feels blessed by their solid volunteers, board of trustees, and the Sisters of the Presentation, themselves.“ They love the Center and put themselves out for that emotionally, professionally and financially.”
Ultimately Hanson believes the community that has supported them all these years will continue to support what they value. Yinger agreed,“ this kind of person-to-person, direct love transcends any kind of political, social, cultural stuff that surrounds us all the time.”
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN JUNE / JULY 2018 gmhtoday. com
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