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New Discoveries, Stronger Relationships and Fresh Outlooks: Sara's LAA Experience
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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 43-year-old mother from Mexico. The programs she discovered at the LAA allowed her to accomplish both.
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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.
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“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.”
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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.”
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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.”
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LAA Youth Play Baseball with the Braves!
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Passers-by may have thought the Atlanta Braves were holding practice at the Carver Family YMCA baseball field on this warm and sunny July morning. But once they came closer, they could see the youth of the Latin American Association's ¡INSPIRA! summer camp running bases and swinging bats with some of their favorite Latino players at the Atlanta Braves Baseball Academy.
The 100 campers who attended the clinic got the opportunity to run bases, throw and catch baseballs, and practice swinging home runs with Braves players and coaches Jorge Campillo, Omar Infante, Eddie Pérez and Chino Cadahía. Earlier in the day, Viva 105.7 radio host Brenda Bueno spoke to campers alongside Braves broadcasters Fernando Palacios and Pete Manzano about the importance of overcoming challenges to accomplish their dreams.
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Photo: Miguel Martínez, MundoHispánico |
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During lunchtime, campers Illie Rodríguez, 10, Anvar Navarrete, 10, and Joseph García, 9, excitedly showed off to one another the pieces of paper and baseballs they got signed by their favorite players. "My favorite part of the day was getting to play on the field with the players and later, getting their autographs," Illie said.
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Like many of the Braves players, Omar Infante said working with youth is one of the highlights of his career. "When I was a kid, playing baseball was always a dream of mine," Infante said. "Now I am proud to share my accomplishments and hopefully inspire children to go for their dreams."
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Photo: Miguel Martínez, MundoHispánico |
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"We recognize that physical activity plays an important role in academic achievement. Encouraging kids to participate in sports is bringing our youth one step closer to closing the achievement gap," said Janie McNair, youth services coordinator at the LAA. "Our ¡INSPIRA!, summer camp strives to help children become physically healthier and mentally enriched."
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The trip to the Braves Academy is an activity of the LAA's summer camp program, which is part of the overall ¡INSPIRA! youth initiative. The camp offers youth ages 6-14 hands-on math, science and technology activities as well as cultural and recreational programs.
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More Than Just a Volunteer Opportunity
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Shyla Mani volunteering in the classroom |
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Participants learn more than just verbs, nouns and adjectives in the LAA's English as a Second Language classes. With the help of volunteer teaching assistants like Shyla Mani and Amy Colburn, ESL students, teachers and volunteers learn things that can’t be put into a textbook.
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–like new perspectives, the proud feeling of accomplishment, and the value of close relationships inside and outside the classroom.
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Each session that Amy and Shyla have volunteered as teacher's assistants, the dynamic volunteer duo has discovered different ways to connect with the students through sharing languages, culture and a desire to learn and gain knowledge. They have also experienced the positive benefits of volunteering.
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“The class provides so much more for me than what I am capable of providing the students, says Shyla. “Seeing students learn, seeing them successfully progress through the levels, seeing their enthusiasm in our class activities, and seeing increased class participation is so much more than what I give, or even am capable of giving. This is what I look forward to experiencing every week.”
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According to ESL teacher, Natalie Schulhofer, volunteers play an important role in making ESL classes successful. They provide an extra set of eyes and ears and students are able to receive more individualized attention.
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"Volunteer participation enriches the classroom and encourages more student participation. I have noticed a strong bond between the volunteers and the students, which allows students to open up and learn more," says Natalie, whose classroom Shyla and Amy have worked in for the past year. "Shyla and Amy are committed and animated in their teaching, and they are both well–known figures in the halls of the LAA."
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Both Amy and Shyla have formed friendships and bonds with the students in their classes. For Amy, it was heartwarming to see students outside the classroom and feel like they were old friends.
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"We learn together, laugh together and on occasion cry together," says Amy. "I feel like I am a more well-rounded and better person for knowing all of the English students at the LAA."
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The LAA is always looking for more volunteers! To become a volunteer, please contact Carisa Hettich at 404-982-6895 or
volunteer@thelaa.org
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Would You Like to be my Amiguito?
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From creating authentic piñatas using the traditional flour and water methods of Mexico, to playing games and singing songs just like children do in Venezuela, the young participants, ages five to nine, in the LAA's Amiguitos Spanish summer immersion program began to understand the Spanish language, while learning about the cultures of Latin America.
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"The course is truly unique because all materials, including the curriculum, stories and activities come from Latin America."says Xiomara Vehrs, Amiguitos teacher and native of Mexico. "The Amiguitos program takes a creative approach to teaching a language by incorporating hands-on activities with visual, audio and written activities."
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Learning a new language can certainly be a challenge, but for the 18 youngsters who listened to traditional Latin American fables, learned the names of fruits and vegetables, and mastered their ABCs in Spanish, it seemed to be as easy as uno, dos, tres.
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"It's amazing how quickly children at a young age can pick up a new language," says Paola Chiodi, director of Director of Education and Language Services. "It is incredible to see the transformation in the children over such a short time. In the beginning they could say only a few words in Spanish, but at the end, the children held full conversations in Spanish!"
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Amiguitos is part of the LAA's broader Spanish language program, which, in addition to Amiguitos, offers onsite corporate Spanish classes, Spanish classes at the LAA, and individual Spanish lessons.
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"Our goal is to teach the importance of not only learning a new language, but of developing an understanding and deep appreciation for Spanish-speaking cultures," says Laura Sauber, Managing Director of Business Services at the LAA.
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To find out ways to get involved with the LAA's Spanish language programs, contact Paula Chiodi at
pchiodi@thelaa.org
or 404.248.2207. |
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