Juan Guerra Passes the Baton

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ACLAMO Family Centers Newsletter

Providing our community with the services and skills for success

JUNE 20151

In This Issue

Please Touch Museum

Important Visitors

From War to Peace

Quick Links

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

An Indelible Mark

I can recall my first day at ACLAMO on a chilly morning in 2008 when I parked on West Marshall Street in Norristown.

As I prepare to move on to new opportunities and challenges, I think back on all these years together and realize that much has happened at ACLAMO.

We expanded programs to serve a rapidly growing Latino community, while withstanding what has been called the "Great Recession." We saw months where the future of our organization seemed to hang on our faith and the promise of a better tomorrow. We welcomed new staff and board members and said goodbye to many friends. We were inspired by the courage, tenacity and hard work of our families who braved almost impossible odds, learned a new language and culture. We were moved and energized by their selfless dedication to finding a better future for their children. We marveled at our amazing staff members who labored tirelessly for the love of their work and dedication to the community.

We witnessed the expansion of our Board of Directors, and saw them work to advance ACLAMO's mission. We made progress in the difficult transition of moving from dependence on public funding to more diversified and sustainable sources. We held special events that brought much needed funding, and enabled us to meet so many of you firsthand. We were the recipients of countless donations and thousands of hours of volunteer time from so many; retired professionals to high school and college students. Through their passion and generosity, they enriched the lives of our young students, and encouraged them to achieve a brighter future through a

commitment to education. Together, we accomplished all of this and so much more. For this, I am eternally grateful.

In life there are those encounters that are brief and passing, and those that leave an indelible mark, a gift that we take with us always. Such has been my experience at ACLAMO Family Centers, and I will never forget our time together. It has been an honor and privilege to serve as Executive Director. So, as my time at ACLAMO comes to an end and I look forward to new opportunities, I offer you the following three phrases: hasta luego, muchisimas gracias, y Que Dios te bendiga - until later, many thanks, and may God bless you.

- Juan Guerra

TRANSITION TO NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

When members of the ACLAMO board of directors learned in March that Juan Guerra would be leaving at the end of June, they began an immediate search for a successor.

Board members were pleased when a strong candidate emerged and accepted the position of executive director. Preparations are now underway to provide for a smooth transition.

In a few days, a special issue of the ACLAMO newsletter will provide more information about the new executive director, who will take over at the beginning of July.

AFTER SCHOOL STUDENTS ENJOY
PLEASE TOUCH MUSEUM

Jaydanni enjoys tea with the Mad Hatter.

Educational field trips are an important part of the program ACLAMO offers to families it serves.

Learning shopping strategies.

Thanks to the sponsorship of NBC 10/ Telemundo 62, a total of 42 ACLAMO children, parents and teachers enjoyed a Saturday of fun and education at the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia. Among other activities, they played with boats on a water table, learned how to shop for food, and joined in scenes from Alice in Wonderland.

IMPORTANT VISITORS AT ACLAMO

In any given month, ACLAMO welcomes numbers of visitors to its Norristown and Pottstown locations. Here is a sample of important people who came to ACLAMO recently:

As prekindergarten children look on, Guido Martinelli, Vice President of Business Development at Continental Bank presents Executive Director Juan Guerra with a check for $5,000 from The Continental Bank Foundation.

Montgomery County Intermediate Unit´s Dr. Lois Robinson, Director of Special Education, and Dr. Damian Johnston, Supervisor of Special Education, meet with staff after visiting ACLAMO classrooms.

Norristown Area School District's dental hygienist, Maryfran Cummings, provides mothers with extensive information about dental hygiene, diet, and community resources to help families receive important dental care.

FROM WAR TO PEACE:

ANOTHER MEANING FOR CINCO DE MAYO 2015

For Mexicans, Cinco de Mayo is a holiday celebrating a major victory by the Mexican army over French troops advancing toward Mexico City in 1862.

In 2015, ACLAMO celebrated May fifth by holding a massive clothing distribution event. Melodye Zalapac from the consignment store Startin´ School in Style filled ACLAMO´s large central hall with donated clothing.

Students and teachers spent hours arranging the clothing displays and hundreds of people came from the neighborhood to fill bags with badly needed garments.

ACLAMO Family Centers celebrates its 38th year of providing Latino and low income residents of Montgomery County and surrounding areas with improved access and programs in education, health and social services to foster academic excellence, self-sufficiency and economic success.

ACLAMO stands for Accíon Comunal Latinoamericana de Montgomery County, or Latin American Community Action of Montgomery County. ACLAMO is derived from the Spanish word aclamar, which means "to acclaim."

ACLAMO Family Centers ACLAMO Family Centers

512 W. Marshall Street 515 Walnut Street

Norristown, PA 19401 Pottstown, PA 19464

610-277-2570 610-970-2134

aclamo.org