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 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 non-profit 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. Humility is the the key ingredient and the ability to be without pride or arrogance and it is a main character that should be seen in those who decide to serve others. 

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

Since I have been involved as Instructor for Budgeting Classes 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 lives in ES, Uruguay and Switzerland. 

Fun Fact

I’m terrified of snakes

Live in Wyoming.  Spent 41 years teaching overseas, 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 organization.  And I love to golf

Fun Fact

I have visited over 50 countries.

What is your favorite vegetable and/or snack from Steve?

I love Alambre, a Mexico City specialty. Check Wikipedia if you do not know.

I am Manuel Lara I been an ESL instructor since August of 2017. I feel that it’s been a great experience working as a volunteer at RPM. I was in El Salvador. I left my country at the beginning of the civil war in 1980.  Grand Rapids is been home since. I understand very well the cultural shock that my community goes through. I am ready to help all the students and the community at large.

My name is Emily, and I attend Calvin University where I amstudying English Secondary Education, Spanish, and ESL. I originally started volunteering as an ESL instructor at RPM for a class assignment. However, I stayed because I loved it. This place is filled with beautiful people who are wholeheartedly devoted to their work here. The staff is incredibly generous with their time and resources, going the extra mile with every single person who walks through these doors. They are inclusive and Christ-like in their actions and words, and it’s an honor to volunteer here.

As an ESL instructor, I have learned more from my students than I ever expected to. As we go through the class, I am improving my Spanish and learning how to be a better teacher. In the classroom, it often feels like the students are the teachers because they are constantly helping each other so that no one is left behind. Volunteering here has renewed my passion for teaching and has ignited an interest in teaching ESL in particular in the future.

My advice to potential donors or supporters of Roosevelt Park Ministries is to get involved. You will be missing out on so much if you don’t let your contribution extend beyond the checkbook. RPM is an amazing place with amazing people, and you would be lucky to be a part of the community here. And if you can’t give your money, then give your time or other resources because you will be supporting a compassionate and Christ-centered cause.

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. At the moment, there is only one class on Tuesdays from 5:30 pm -7:00 pm, but if there are enough people interested, there is a possibility of adding additional classes.