Marist Receives $3,000 Grant For Hispanic Education Program

The Catholic Foundation of North Georgia has awarded a $3000 grant to advance the Hispanic Adult Education and Formation Center hosted at Marist School. The support, which was given from the Goizueta Fund, will be used to provide scholarships to Hispanic adults enrolled in the GED program at Marist School.

“This is a tremendous vote of confidence for all of us involved,” said Father Bill Rowland, S.M., executive director of the Hispanic Adult Education and Formation Center. “This grant will help to insure that those Hispanic adult learners who want to obtain their GED and take the first step up the economic ladder but who might shy away from doing so because of lack of funds will now be able to.”

The Hispanic Adult Education and Formation Center at Marist School is the Society of Mary’s response to the desperate need for education in the Hispanic community, the fastest growing body in the Catholic Church. Although initially expected to attract about 100 participants, the GED program has grown to 500 students, 30 volunteer teachers, and 20 Marist School student volunteers.

According to Father John Harhager, S.M., president of Marist School, receiving this grant shows the concern that the local church has for the Hispanic population, particularly recent immigrants who struggle to assimilate to American life.

“By providing the opportunity for young adults to acquire their high school equivalency, this center broadens the Society of Mary's mission in education,” Father Harhager said. “We are grateful to be a part of this collaborative effort with the local church to reach more people in the greater Atlanta area.”

Carlos Vizcaino, academic coordinator of the center and coordinator of the Latino community at Our Lady of the Assumption parish in Brookhaven, said this grant will provide resources that aid Hispanics to better adapt to life in the United States by developing more than just the skills they need to pass the GED test.

“[These students] came to this country wanting to work to support their families and to escape the violence that is often rampant in Mexico and Central America. They come to the center on Thursday evenings after a long day of work and often with lots of family members,” said Sal Arias, business director for the center. “It is wonderful to see them continuing their studies. They want to be ‘makers,’ not ‘takers.’ Their gratitude and work ethic inspire me.”

Father Rowland is hopeful that other parishes and schools in the Archdiocese will offer similar adult education and formation programs for the Hispanic community. “Some of our Hispanic adult learners come from great distances, and I know that they and many others would appreciate having a GED program closer to where they live. Of course, we are willing to share our experience with anyone interested in using our program as a model.”