Opportunity/Oportunidad
Benitez Retires from LEARN Inc. After 29 Years
xecutive Director Esmeralda E Trevino Benitez will celebrate her retirement after 29 years
Homeless Person's Memorial & Candlelight Vigil
BY CHRISTY MARTINEZ-GARCIA FOR LATINO LUBBOCK MAGAZINE
recognition of National IDay,nHomeless Persons' Memorial a Homeless Person's Me-
morial & Candlelight Vigil will be held on December 21, 2020, at 6 p.m., at Dave Freriks Park, located at 16th and Avenue K. The event is held for the city's homeless citizens and affords them the chance to pay their respects to those who have lost their life and to be recognized on the longest night of the year. More so, the event is organized to bring awareness to the plight of the homeless in the city. Each year since 1990 on, or near
December 21- not coincidentally, the first day of winter and the longest night of the year - homeless service providers, in more than 150 communities across the country, conduct similar services to recognize the need for political advocacy and efforts to end homelessness. Organizers of the Lubbock event include the South Plains Homeless Consortium, CHCL, and the Salvation Army, in partnership with the National Coalition for the Homeless. Collectively, they invite the public to join them in remembering the homeless in 2020. For more information, contact (806) 319-5140.
of service with the federal TRIO programs operated by LEARN Inc. in Lubbock. She has worked diligently throughout her entire career to help disadvantaged families establish goals for success in life and create pathways to ensure that these goals became reality. Her personal journey started in the fields of West Texas. She credits her parents for teaching her to extend a helping hand to those in need and understanding that every person is worthy of value and respect, regardless of circumstances. These life lessons helped to shape her lifelong career path. Esmerelda’s journey is one that many of the students that she served could relate to. She received her GED in 1984, an Associate Degree in Social Work in 1990, and her Bachelor of Science Degree from Texas Tech University in 1989. Prior to her employment at LEARN Inc., Mrs. Benitez worked for the Lubbock Housing Authority as a Social Worker. She began her tenure with LEARN Inc. in 1991 when she was hired to coordinate LEARN’s middle school component “LETS Go-Advance,” part of the Talent Search program where she later served as Assistant Director for seventeen years. She was selected in 2010 as the LEARN Inc. Executive Director to oversee both federal programs that comprise LEARN Inc.—Talent Search and Educational Opportunity Center. She has been actively involved at the state level with Texas TRIO, at the regional level with Southwest Association of Student Assistance Programs, civic organizations, including Lubbock Indepen-
dent School District Partners in Education, LULAC, Lubbock Hispanic C h a mbe r, and South Plains P20 Council, and numerous advisory boards and committees that promote education. Esmeralda was named Hispanic Woman of the Year in 2000 by Hispanic Association of Women in the area of Education. LEARN Inc. programs have been a beacon of light in the community since 1969, helping disadvantaged students and adults accomplish their dreams of improving their lives through higher education. A product of LEARN Talent Search herself, Benitez knew that she had found her service calling, but she also discovered that this journey was to lead her toward opportunities and lessons that she, too, would learn. “I am sincerely grateful that my journey has provided me the opportunity to grow professionally and personally. I still stand proudly and smile every time I am approached by a family who either they, their children, or their grandchildren have been assisted by our programs!” Esmeralda credits and thanks the LEARN Inc. Board of Directors for their commitment in hosting the TRIO programs through their non-profit organization. She thanks her family for their patience and encouragement throughout her career, and she now looks forward to being a fulltime grandmother!
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Professional Development FREE GED TEST P R E PA R AT I O N CLASSES. Need to study to pass the GED? Literacy Lubbock offers free, flexible, and casual prep classes at various times to fit in with your busy schedule. Call us at 806-7753636 for more information or register for Free classes at www.literacylubbock.org. FREE GED AND ESL CLASSES for Lubbock and the surrounding area offered by Adult Education Center. We accept new students on a bimonthly basis. You must be at least 17 years old and not enrolled in public school to be eligible for the classes. For more info call 806-2815750. Open Mon. thru Fri. from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. BASIC ENGLISH CLASS – Clase de Inglés – aprender Inglés básico, 3211 58th Street, (east of Indiana) Lubbock. Horas: Cada Miércoles a las 7:30-8:30 de la noche. 806-239-5352 GRATIS!! CHILD CARE AVAILABLE FOR INCOME-ELIGIBLE FAMILIES Families who are income eligible may receive fee assistance to attend one of the Early Learning Center’s five centers for child care. Parents or caretakers must be employed or in school. The program is open from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call (806) 765-9981 for more information. CLASES DE INGLÉS COMO SEGUNDA IDIOMA La Literacia de Lubbock (Literacy Lubbock) ofrecen clases gratis de inglés como segundo idioma (English as Second Language) para la comunidad. Todos los adultos están bienvenido en estas clases. Para más información, llame a (806) 775-3636. FREE CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: The Caprock Regional Public Defender Office offers free legal representation to 13 surrounding West Texas Counties. The office handles Felony, Misdemeanor and Juvenile cases for citizens that cannot afford to hire a criminal defense lawyer. Call (806) 742-4312 to see if your county qualifies for this service. IMMIGRATION SERVICES If you need help with immigration issues call 806-741-0409. SERVICIOS DE INMIGRACIÓN Si necesitan ayuda con asuntos de inmigración llame a este numero (806) 7410409. REFERRAL FOR QUALITY CHILD CARE in Lubbock by the South Plains Day Home Association helps parents with free referrals to licensed or registered day care facilities that are routinely monitored by the Texas Department and Protective Services. Call 796-0606 or 792-1847 for more information.
