Growing Talents, Growing Leaders
Published: December 8, 2009
“When I was young, I didn’t think I was smart enough to be a teacher. I thought I could help people not to have a tough time like I did, but not as a teacher. I remember translating for other students when the teacher didn’t speak Spanish. I would gather the students around me. Back then I never thought of it as teaching; it came naturally,” Maria Marquez, LSNA Parent Coordinator and Grow Your Own Teachers candidate.
Parent Tutors Maria Marquez and Gabriela Galvan perform a skit at a workshop on making literacy more engaging for children.
Spend five minutes with Maria Marquez and you’ll wonder why she ever thought she wasn’t smart enough to be anything she wanted. However, Maria’s story is a shining example of the difference LSNA makes every day in the lives of ordinary people gifted with extraordinary – but unrecognized – talents. When her young son was diagnosed with a seizure disorder, Maria started volunteering in his classroom to be nearby in case of an emergency. Her obvious teaching talents caught LSNA’s attention, and she became a Parent Mentor in 2001 and a Parent Tutor in 2005.
Now Maria works fulltime as LSNA’s Parent Coordinator for Ames Middle School – and is working to achieve her dream of a college education and teaching career through LSNA’s “Grow Your Own Teachers” bilingual teacher training program.
Maria credits LSNA with providing the opportunity and support she needed in order to envision herself as a college student and teacher-leader. “LSNA has always been that support for me. When Grow Your Own came along, the folks at LSNA were all ‘Do it! Do it!’ Now I’m working towards my B.A. in Bilingual/Bicultural Education. It’s a challenge to juggle work, parenting, and school, but it’s worth it!”
As a person who regularly gives back to her community, Maria recognizes the role LSNA plays in the neighborhood as well as in the lives of individuals like herself. “I look at LSNA as a foundation for communities to grow on. Without them, we wouldn’t have all this – the Parent Mentors and Parent Tutors, Grow Your Own, or the new [health] clinic here at Ames Middle School.”
Can we count on you to help LSNA Grow Community Leaders by making a tax-exempt donation in fiscal year 2010?
In this period of economic recession, when foundations and corporate funders are cutting back on their giving, LSNA must rely even more on our community donors to provide us with vital unrestricted funds – funds that undergird our work in order for us to run our programs successfully. Please consider supporting LSNA to ensure that the organization that has provided a foundation for neighborhood leaders for over 47 years can continue to do so in FY10! Any amount is greatly appreciated!
Thank you so much,
LOGAN SQUARE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
Nancy Aardema, Executive Director
P.S. There are a number of ways to contribute to LSNA besides donating from your pocketbook. See below for more ideas on how to contribute to LSNA’s Annual Campaign.
Please enclose this stub with cash or check made out to Logan Square Neighborhood Association and mail it or drop it off at 2840 N. Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, IL 60618. Donations can also be made on our website at www.lsna.net. All donations are tax-deductible.
Name:__________________________________________
Address:_________________________________________________________________
Telephone Number:_______________________ Email:______________________________
I will contribute to LSNA by:
? Making a Donation in the amount of $_____
? Hosting a Community Fundraising Event
? Writing LSNA into my will/leaving a bequest
? Participating in my Employer Matching Gift
? Buying Tickets to LSNA’s “Celebration of Leadership” Fundraiser (March 2010)
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