Parents are Reading, Writing and Raising the Bar for Their Families
Dedicating your professional life to service and education is often considered a calling. While circumstances might change for those who are called to the teaching profession, the desire to serve never does.
At least it didn’t for BRIDGES member Alma Reyes.
Originally a teacher from Honduras, Alma arrived in the United States with her family in search of a better life. Due to her immigration status, she is unable to work legally but she is unwilling to sit idle. Determined to be a good role model for her four children between the ages of 14 years old and six months, she has become an active member of the BRIDGES at Highland neighborhood hub located in Lake Worth Beach.
Upon attending a workshop, Alma realized that some of the other members couldn’t read nor could they write. She wanted to take action right away and this was something she had great experience with back in her home country.
Lake Worth Beach is home to a large Mayan population and for some BRIDGES at Highland members, Spanish is a second language. The Mayan residents of Lake Worth Beach could speak any one of over 30 Mayan languages ranging from Qʼanjobʼal to Kaqchikel.
Additionally, some BRIDGES of Highland members have never had the benefit of a formal education, but given Alma’s background as an educator – she knew exactly what to do. Alma began leading a Spanish-language adult literacy program and after investing much energy and patience, BRIDGES at Highland has members who are learning how to read and write for the first time in their lives.
BRIDGES at Highland Director Oriana De Leon is inspired by Alma’s grit and dedication, “You can’t empower someone to become a leader if they can’t even read the word ‘leader’ on a piece of paper,” Oriana said. “What Alma is doing for others is incredible. And she is doing it out of the kindness of her heart and expects nothing in return.”
By “bridging” together resources, BRIDGES is focused on creating support for optimal child development, parenting and neighborhood capacity building and growth. Alma’s patience and love of teaching is opening up new doors for other BRIDGES families. She is uplifting other members daily who are reaching for greater heights for both themselves and their children.
Learn more about the BRIDGES sites operated by CPSFL here: https://www.cp-cto.org/bridges and the county-wide BRIDGES system here: https://bridgesofpbc.org/
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