AVANCE mother recognized by Literacy Texas

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Melissa Mireles, Media Relations 210-230-9663 MMireles.nat@avance.org

Rocio Barajas, recent AVANCE-El Paso graduate, earns Adult Learner of the Year honors

EL PASO – (August 10, 2010) – In an awards ceremony, AVANCE mother, Rocio Barajas received her Adult Learner of the Year Award from Literacy Texas at their annual conference on August 9 in Austin, Texas.

“We are so proud of how far Rocio has come in just two years with our program, and we thank Literacy Texas for recognizing her accomplishments,” said Nydia P. Correa, Executive Director, AVANCE-El Paso.  “With Literacy Texas’ acknowledgment of our services, it shows that our program is truly having an impact on hundreds of El Paso families each year.  Our adult literacy and parenting classes helped more than 650 parents like Rocio this past year alone.  We look forward to continuing to serve the El Paso community as we prepare to kick off the new program year in just a couple weeks.”

Literacy Texas is the statewide coalition for Texas, connecting and equipping literacy programs through resources, training, networking and advocacy. Their mission is to build capacity for established and emerging literacy coalitions, community-based organizations and adult education programs to improve literacy levels in Texas.

Presenting Barajas with her award was Texas Literacy President Gloria Moritz

 A brief excerpt from Rocio’s award winning story:

When first arriving at the AVANCE program, Rocio did not understand or speak any English.  A model student, she attended classes daily and had perfect attendance.  After one year in the classroom, Rocio would have been able to complete her GED in Spanish; however, with the encouragement of her teacher, she studied to take the test in English.  Just last month, she enthusiastically reported that she passed her tests and now has her GED.

At the AVANCE program, most of our students walk through our doors without speaking English.  There are also several who study to take the GED, but there are only a few that are dedicated enough to learn and test in a new language.  By passing the GED in English, Rocio is now on her way to pursue her dreams of becoming a nurse.  She recently enrolled in the local community college to begin her basics and has received a scholarship from a local foundation.

Rocio has a commitment for her learning, but she was devoted to ensuring her fellow students excelled as well.  She served as a cheerleader for her colleagues and encouraged them to push themselves to do better.  The attendance of many of the students was due in part to Rocio’s support.  Rocio’s caring personality has not only helped those in her class, but the Even Start program at the school as a whole. 

Not only was Rocio a huge help in the classroom, but she agreed to assist the AVANCE program by volunteering her time and going out into the community to teach others about the impact the program is having on neighborhoods all over the region.  In speaking to crowd of over 300 people, they were brought to tears when they heard how Rocio and her family fled a violent stricken home and found themselves in a local shelter.  It was when Rocio enrolled her children in school that she learned about the AVANCE program and the benefits it could bring to her youngest child, herself, and her family as a whole.

AVANCE Inc. President & CEO Rick Noriega, Rocio Barajas, Literacy Texas President Gloria Moritz and Literacy Texas Director Debbie Johnson, AVANCE – El Paso Exec. Director Nydia Correa