CIELO – Strengthening the Fabric of Our Community

cielo english class
Raymond Perez works with attentive language students.
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By Mary Ellen Psaltis

south sound trucksThe clock ticked up to 8:00 p.m. and Monday night class was over, but instructor Raymond Perez and his eight adult students took no notice as they continued constructing sentences. Together they were exploring the challenges of English verbs and making the distinctions between ‘having’ and ‘being.’ Learning verbs is tricky in your own language. For this group of native Spanish speakers, it is even harder. This class is but one of the many services provided by CIELO, an organization designed to support the education and well being of the Latino community in our area.

Cielo, a Spanish word, has numerous meanings: sky, heaven, or blue. In Thurston County CIELO stands for Integral Latino Educational Center of Olympia. In 1996, a group of Latino women came together with a vision to be a “participative, multicultural center, where all individuals respect one another, get involved, and find mutual support.” Their mission continues to “promote community, self-sufficiency, and leadership of Latinas/os and the extended community.”

cielo english lesson
Rosario Portaro tutors literacy to willing students.

One of the founders of CIELO was Griselda Perretz-Rosales, PhD. She was joined by Leticia Fernandez de Astruc. Steadfast and tenacious, Perretz-Rosales directed the agency for the first decade and continued as the clinical supervisor for the next 7 years. She was instrumental in making contacts with the State of Washington to contract for services. Educational programs such as teaching English have always been an essential element of CIELO.

Over time many people have been helped with literacy and language skills. Families are linked with government and community groups that provide services. There is facilitation to access education and health care for families and individuals. There is also a popular, long-running sewing class. The “services of Cielo became really precious,” said Perretz-Rosales. She added, “There’s nothing better than that,” referring to being part of people getting their GED, reading English and doing what they could not do before their time with CIELO.

CIELO has faced its financing and staffing fluctuations through the years (like many agencies do). However, it has never lost its heart. Current Educational Program Director Rosario Portaro, herself from Peru, exudes intense commitment and love for all that transpires at CIELO. She is proud of the excellent curriculum and progress being made in areas of math, science, computer skills, language and literacy.

Classes at CIELO are staffed by enthusiastic, dedicated people who love teaching and interacting with their students. Raymond Perez, a graduate of Saint Martin’s University, said this of his participation, “I feel fortunate and blessed to have this opportunity.” He admires and is inspired by the people who come to the classes and notes, “The people who come are truly brave.”

cielo english class
Raymond Perez works with attentive language students.

Wade Cherry is a volunteer working individually with Gustavo Soto, an electrician by trade. Soto is about to complete his GED, which he needs to go on to college. Math has been his challenge. “I am an electrician. I need to learn everything,” says Soto. Topics cover geometry, algebra, exponents, order of operations, and fractions. Cherry, who works with computers by day, gets to practice his Spanish as a math teacher. He truly enjoys his time at CIELO.

Heather Hall volunteers in the English classes. “Teaching is a life goal,” she explains and at the same time she gets to strengthen her Spanish. Another volunteer remarked that after working 40 hours per week he ought to be exhausted, but found that coming to teach energized him.

How do people hear about this organization? People often find out from friends and acquaintances. Some see a flyer at their church or the library or get information at The Evergreen State College, South Puget Sound Community College or Saint Martin’s University. Teachers and students alike are attracted to the energy at CIELO. You can find CIELO in West Olympia. They are hoping to expand their services and welcome volunteers. Childcare is provided as parents take classes.

cielo english class
Wade Cherry tutors Gustavo Soto (at the white board) in math.

It’s hard to imagine living a country where you barely speak the language. Harder still if you cannot read it. Literacy, education and connections are powerful tools for both personal and professional reasons. CIELO bridges the gaps. For nineteen years, CIELO has worked to improve access to services to the Hispanic community in Thurston County. Becoming culturally competent is when the people who were helped become providers, helping the way for the next in line. These are gifts that keep in giving.

For more information about CIELO, click here.

Writer’s Note:

Please excuse my Spanish, but when I looked up ‘cielo,’ I found it used in a number of expressions that allowed me to create this thought:

Out of the blue (como llovido del cielo) someone will show up to be an angel (ser un cielo) and move heaven and earth (mover cielo y tierra) to help others to see one’s way out (ver el cielo abierto.) I must be in seventh heaven (estar en el se séptimo cielo).

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