At the Children’s Aid Salome Ureña Campus in Washington Heights, adults are never too old learn English language skills and the intricacies of the American education system. The school is holding its 6th Annual Parent Summer Camp from July 7-29. According to Community School Director Migdalia Cortes-Torres, the camp serves to educate parents who are first-generation immigrants on a range of topics that will empower them to make informed decisions for their family.
“In order for us to impact a child’s life academically and socially, we have to touch their parents,” said Migdalia. “Many parents believe that because they are uninformed about this country’s language or education system, they can’t contribute to their child’s day-to-day life. We provide workshops that teach skills like public speaking, financial literacy, college readiness, and how to negotiate resources for children in the school system.”
Migdalia expects that about 45 to 50 parents will attend the workshops. In addition to familiarizing these parents with all the services that Children’s Aid provides (including adult education and prep for GED courses), she hopes to raise what she calls their “emotional intelligence.” By this, she means improving their knowledge of the range of options available to contribute to their child’s well-being.
Parent Coordinator Lidia Aguasanta, who teaches a workshop on social justice to immigrants, mostly from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, emphasized that these workshops have the capacity to be transformative.
“The lessons we teach here allow these parents to be a real positive force in their community,” said Lidia. “It’s all about exposing them to things they wouldn’t ordinarily be involved with [for example, trips to the United Nations and New York County District Attorney General’s Office].”
Thank you to Migdalia, Lidia, and all the educators involved with the Parent Summer Camp. You are helping to ensure that these parents are able to do right by their family.
