Life experiences guide agency's new director to help others

The new director of Meadows Community Services knows firsthand the difficulties immigrants face as they start a new life in the U.S.

Julio Mayorga was a young man in 1967 when he and his mother arrived in Melrose Park from Guatemala, not knowing English.

"When I came, the bilingual program at the schools wasn't even around," he said. "There was no help at all that I was aware of, and I didn't know the language and culture."

Since he couldn't enroll in school, he found a job and slowly learned English from a co-worker who gave him rides.

Mayorga's goal now is to make sure immigrants in the Northwest suburbs don't repeat his experience and are able to get the services they need to thrive.

"What moved me to apply for this position is the opportunity it presents to be a real service to the community," Mayorga said. "Because of my experience I know how to teach people how to do things like look for a job, go shopping and take the bus."

Mayorga has been a pastor in Waukegan, Milwaukee and, more recently, Rolling Meadows, for the Spanish-speaking Sembradores congregation. Since starting his new job a few weeks ago, he has been catching up on paperwork; the organization has been without a director for more than a year.

Meadows Community Services supplements government aid to immigrants and low-income residents who need help paying bills. It also offers counseling and immigration services and a variety of classes. Translators are available in any language, Mayorga said.

The agency is located in the basement of Meadows Baptist Church, 2401 Kirchoff Road, since it was started in the 1980s. Mayorga plans to open a satellite office in Mount Prospect by fall and someday hopes to move the organization into its own building.

Funding comes mostly through donations from churches and residents, though it also receives assistance from surrounding townships. If you'd like to help, cash donations are appreciated, or just drop off a spare ream of copier paper or a $10 Jewel gift card. For more information visit www.meadowscommunity.net.

Water pressure: Have you checked your March city utility bill? It's probably a little plumper than usual.

Rolling Meadows purchases water from Chicago, which recently raised its fees. That led to a 37-cent rate increase here, meaning that for every 1,000 gallons used, we'll pay 37 cents more.

According to the city, the average household uses 7,000 gallons a month. I'll do the math for you: If you're average, you'll pay an extra $2.59.

Hey, it's still less than a gallon of gas.