Where are you from?

El Salvador

When did you first get involved at RPM?

I was waiting in the waiting area for the evening yoga class. The class had been cancelled, and the previous director, Steve, came and talked to me for a while and talked to me about volunteer opportunities. He asked me if I would be interested in office work and I told Steve that I used to work in the past for a German nonprofit organization and various other charities. So it sounded interesting to me when Steve suggested that I volunteer here as his Executive Assistant. And then I began serving in other capacities here as well.

Why do you love RPM? What do you want people to know about RPM?

I love that the work I do not only helps those I immediately serve, but could actually impact social change. The possibilities are so great at a nonprofit and I love having the opportunity to impact the future. Every day is a surprise, there is not a normal day here. One day you may be helping out with fundraising and administration and the next day you may be doing something totally different. You learn to wear many hats.

What do you like to do when you are not at work?

I like to stay up to date regarding ways to improve one’s credit, savings and finances. And I try to spend time with my loved ones. I love to stay connected by phone and by social media with my family who live in Spain, Uruguay, and Switzerland.

Fun Fact

I’m terrified of snakes!

My name is Leeana and I am the Family Worker here at Roosevelt Park Ministries. I was born and raised here in Grand Rapids but my family is divided between Michigan and Guatemala. I have been fortunate to go to Guatemala many times throughout the years in order to visit my family. I attended Calvin College where I majored in Social Work and Spanish. During my time at Calvin, I was also able to study and do volunteer work in Arequipa, Peru and Oviedo, Spain. In every country that I have visited I have fallen more in love with the culture, the food, and the Spanish language. I love being outdoors, spending time with my family and friends, and baking. I love Grand Rapids and am excited to be working with the Spanish-speaking community here in Kent County. 

Where are you from?
I live in Wyoming, Michigan and spent 41 years teaching overseas, the last 10 before retirement (1997 to 2007) in Mexico City.

When did you first get involved at RPM?
2012

Why do you love RPM? What do you want people to know about RPM?
I love the Latino community and want to help them integrate them into life here. RPM is good at this.

What do you like to do when you are not at work?
I volunteer for numerous organizations and I love to golf.

Fun Fact
I have visited over 50 countries.

What is your favorite vegetable and/or snack?
I love Alambre, a Mexico City specialty.

Where are you from?
Grand Rapids.

When did you first get involved at RPM?
June 2014.

Why do you love RPM? What do you want people to know about RPM?
There is something at RPM for everyone in the neighborhood.

What do you like to do when you are not at work?
I like to sing.

Fun Fact
I discovered I could sleep without a pillow.

I was born and raised in Guatemala and moved to the US when I was almost 17 years old. I am currently working on getting my GED while working in the office of my church, where I also play in the worship band. I started at RPM in 2020 as an English student. While taking classes, I realized that RPM is not just helping with languages, but with other social programs and helping the community in many ways. I am drawn to this place because I also love to serve God and help people, so I became a volunteer. I am now assisting in the computer classes because I like to experiment with different computer softwares. I feel comfortable here, and I look forward to volunteering at RPM for a long time.

Hello, my name is Blanca Perez-Chao. I’m from Spain, married, and have two children. I studied electric engineering and I’ve been living in Grand Rapids for a few years because of my husband’s work. I worked as a teacher in Spain for 20 years and teaching is something that I really like to do. Being here made me ask myself: Why not teach Spanish? It would be a good opportunity to help people, meet people, and practice English. So here I am, at Roosevelt Park Ministries, as a volunteer. I think that if you want to learn Spanish, you have the chance to do it here at Roosevelt Park Ministries.