FeedsStudents’ trip to Detroit teaches powerful lesson
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Raquel Calderon, and her four daughters prepare for Santa Claus to make his rounds. Calderon has participated in the Adopt-A-Family program since 2003.A response to a plea for assistance has turned into one of the most popular educational events at the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park.
More than 110 students from Plymouth-Canton—along with several Spanish teachers and parents—traveled to the Latino Family Services (LFS) offices in Detroit recently to deliver gifts of holiday cheer and goodwill in exchange for a better understanding of Latino and Mexican culture.
Alicia Maturen, a Spanish teacher from Plymouth High School, said the meeting allows students to use their Spanish-speaking skills in a practical setting and to ask questions about Mexican life. The students also learn the importance of community service and assisting others.
“This is an excellent opportunity to help people in need,” said Maturen who along with Laura Vela-Wolan, LFS outreach director, developed the program to bring Spanish-speaking students together with natives and descendants from Spanish-speaking countries.
“I have students that come to me in the beginning of the school year asking if we are going to sponsor a family,” she sai
In 2003, Vela-Wolan sent a letter to 50 greater Detroit area schools asking for donations and assistance in filling their food bank. LFS provides services for more than 8,000 people a year and relies on donations to function. Plymouth-Canton was the only school system to reply. Maturen, along with other teachers, decided even more could be done than just providing eatables to the food bank.
That year, Plymouth-Canton teachers and students adopted 13 families for the holidays. In 2006, the program has grown to service more than 44 families. As part of the adoption process, students write introductory letters in Spanish informing them of their sponsorship. The families then complete a “wish-list” of items. Oftentimes instead of toys or video games, the families ask for coats, clothing and diapers.
Besides their request for necessities, the teachers and students purchase fun items for their adoptee. Vela-Wolan said the program allows families to receive gifts for their children they couldn’t afford.
“You would have to see it for yourself to see the smiles on the parents and children faces when the students come,” she said
Raquel Calderon, a mother of four young girls, has been a part of the adoptee program since it began. Calderon said she is humbled by the genuine concern the teachers, students and parents of Plymouth Canton students have for their families.
“The time and dedication the students give to us show us that they care,” said Calderon. “You think that no one else cares about us. They make us feel like we’re important.”
She said she supports any endeavor to help people learn about Mexican culture. “It’s important that students learn and share with the Hispanic community.”
Maturen said the lessons of learning, sharing and community service are what makes this endeavor so special. The program shows her students that they can make a positive difference in other lives, she added.
“We have times in our lives when we are in need, and times we can provide,” said Maturen. “This is a time to provide.”
