214@100: Learning English paves way to better life

Erika Garcia spoke no English when she moved her family here from Mexico in 2000. But then she discovered the English as a Second Language classes offered through District 214 Community Education. She enrolled in Basic English and soon after took other classes in parenting skills and Spanish GED preparation class.

"My classes helped me a lot," she says. "I feel better about myself and I'm very thankful to all my teachers."

Garcia also enrolled in the Power Reading class, an advanced class, and considers "speaking and writing English well" her next goal.

Fellow ESL student Ana Velasquez also shares a success story: After the rigor of learning English, she picked up additional employment and literacy skills through Community Education's Catherine M. Lee Women's & Children's Center. She's now a business owner, providing notary public services, money orders, bill payment options and more in both the United States and Mexico.

Yoshiko Takahashi, from Japan, says the ESL program is a "sanctuary where students are able to feel safe" - a sentiment echoed by fellow ESL students Tomoko Miyamoto, also from Japan, Bertha Bravo from Mexico, and Reyna Segovia from El Salvador.

The ESL classes offered through District 214's Community Education annually serve 1,200 community residents, preparing them for future success.