La Luz Center

Monthly Transportation to the Consulate of Mexico, San Francisco

La Luz Center is happy to announce a new service for Sonoma Valley residents.  Monthly transportation from La Luz will now be available for those individuals in need of visiting the Mexican Consulate in San Francisco.  Interested persons may call the La Luz office at 707-938-5131 for details and to sign up for the service, which will be provided on first-come, first-serve basis each month.  Cost is $20.00 per person, and includes gas and parking fees. 

Download Brochure - Descargue el folleto

 

Aug 11: Noche en Casbah!

Jump onto a magic carpet for an Arabian night, as LaLuz transports spirited party-goers to NOCHE EN CASBAH! Imagine gathering on a sizzling desert night, then strolling past bright fabrics and swaying lanterns. After being greeted by a friendly camel, mingle with a vibrant crowd amidst open tents, glittering jewels, sheiks, Sultans, and food bazaars! Enraptured by the evening’s warmth, witness Aladdin’s lamp summon a genie who reveals the CASBAH magic of exotic scents, delicious tastes, belly dancers, sword dancers, and snake charmers! Enchantment will prevail over a colorful evening of entertainment, music, dancing, and dining.

NOCHE EN CASBAH assures a magical event, including an auction and a winner-takes-all raffle, on August 11, 2012!

Buy Tickets

1 Ticket $175.00 USD 2 Tickets $350.00 USD 3 Tickets $525.00 USD

Tickets cost $175.00 each and can be bought online and also through the Casbah Hotline 707-938-5010

 

California Human Development Presentation at La Luz Center

CHD (California Human Development) will be giving a presentation here at La Luz Center in Booker Hall on January 30th, 2012 from 6-7pm.  We are very excited about this presentation since few in the community of Sonoma Valley have much awareness about CHD's wonderful programs and the training opportunities which they provide eligible farm workers, though they have been successfully providing these services throughout Northern California for over 41 years to over 15,000 individuals annually.

In light of the current economy and difficulty for vineyard and farm workers to secure employment, these programs have become crucial for those workers looking to secure better labor opportunities while transitioning out of farm labor, those displaced by lack of available work, and others interested in improving their overall scope of job skills.  Hispanic workers here in the Sonoma Valley have not been very informed about CHDs offerings in the past, and we here at La Luz Center are working hard to collaborate with CHD to bring access to their services closer to this very isolated and under-served pocket of the population in Sonoma County. 

Michele Alba

Community Outreach & Vineyard Worker Services Coordinator

English Classes in Full Swing

Many new students have enrolled in morning English language classes provided by Sonoma Valley Adult School, starting in on their New Year’s resolutions.  There are many levels of instruction going on simultaneously in Booker Hall every Tuesday and Thursday morning, and instructor Kate Willmers makes good use of her five volunteer aides so small groups can learn together and practice their English.  Paulette Ross evening instructor enjoys a more intimate class with a smaller class size of 12 students.

There are 40 students enrolled now, and they carefully juggle their jobs, family responsibilities, and transportation issues to be present twice a week. 

Moises, who has lived in Sonoma for 16 years and works in landscape maintenance, has returned to English classes because, as he says, “Now I have a goal” —to study Landscape Design and start his own company.   He has a steady job and a family, and has now made a commitment to perfect his English.

Berenice, his wife, works as a house cleaner.  She took La Luz classes 12 years ago, but couldn’t fit it in once she had her children.   Now, she too has resumed her studies with a goal:  she wants to be able to communicate with her children’s teachers and be more active in their schools.  “We always listen to the TV news and movies in English,” she says.  “We try to learn at home.  But we need to invite more Latinos to come here.  I was translating for a friend, but then I told her she needed to go to La Luz.   She got a little mad at me!” Nonetheless, this is why it is tremendously important to support and encourage the student that by setting short term goals they can learn English and that is what do here at La Luz Center “states Maricarmen Reyes  La Luz Center Coordinator of Educational Programs.

“One big roadblock we have to overcome, once we find the extra time to come here, is the vulnerability we feel in exposing our lack of English skills,” she explains.  “We are afraid people will laugh at our mistakes even though we know they aren’t meaning to make fun of us.  I think it’s probably a cultural thing, but we need to get over it!” 

In addition at La Luz Center we believe in complimenting  the ESL program with an enriched child care for parents while learning English. The “ Little English Learners” program supports parents access to ESL classes, parents are then able to focus on their goals in learning English besides providing a preschool environment to children whose parents may not have the ability to introduce them to a preschool before kindergarten.

For more information about ESL classes please call 707-938-5131 or email to maricarmen@laluzcenter.org. 

"Día de Los Muertos" 2011 at La Luz Center

From November 4th through the 6th, La Luz Center hosted a traditional Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) observance in Booker Hall. Over 250 visitors were greeted by a visual display of marigolds and symbols associated with this very important holiday in the Mexican community and of course 11 personally constructed altars to remember loved ones who have died.

View photo album in Facebook

The participants were Maritza Barajas, Alicia Barragan, Ana Byerly, Eva Diaz and family, Rose Enriquez and family, Emma Gutierrez with lideres campesinas, Alicia Pizano, Felipa Puente and Julian Puente, Adalinda Sandoval and family, Patricia Thomas and Paco Villasenor.  This group with the addition of Olga and Jorge Arguellas formed the committee who put on the three day event.  Each built an altar to remember one or many deceased loved ones.  The altars contained objects and foods that the deceased had been fond of - from favorite candies to enchiladas to the occasional bottle of beer or wine.  Photos and personal mementos were also included as well as the traditional Dia de los Muertos symbols, the skulls made of sugar (called calaveras) that are seen everywhere in latino communities this time of year.  The altar builders were on hand to share stories about their loved ones with the visitors.  Many of the people who came remarked on the profound sense of solemnity and peace that was created for this very special occasion.

At the end of the observance on Sunday evening all of those who had built altars and their families gathered together for a private dinner to celebrate the lives of their deceased and the memories they had left behind.  Prominent in the meal was the traditional Pan de Muerto - a sweet bread made only at this time of the year - as well as tomales, frijoes, guacamole, ensalada de pollo and hot chocolate. 

View photo album in Facebook

“Hog Heaven” Party – a Benefit for La Luz

Sixty lucky bidders from the Copacabana auction recently enjoyed a Cuban-themed pig roast party at Joshua Rymer and Tim Frazer’s beautiful Glen Ellen home.  Harriet and Randy Derwingson co-hosted the event and managed the 4-hour roasting in a Cuban Chinese Pig Box. 

View photo album in Facebook

There were abundant mojitos and lots of laughter as nearly everyone got up and danced to the Latin music of “Noche Tropical – Los Diferentes del Ritmo.”  Again it was proven:  La Luz supporters love a good party, and “just wanna have fun” while benefiting their favorite cause!

Sonoma Patch: The director of family services at La Luz comes full circle to make a difference

Source: Sonoma Patch

Born and raised in Sonoma, Kara Olness-Reyes is a graduate of Sonoma Valley High School and Sonoma State University, where she received a B.A. in Spanish and International Studies. She first learned Spanish while living in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico and later studied at the University of Seville in Seville, Spain.

She joined La Luz in 2002 as client services coordinator and now leads the Family Services Program.

In 2003, Olness-Reyes was elected to be part of the inaugural Redevelopment Advisory Committee

 for the Springs area, and still serves on it. She is the only bilingual member who has a close connection to the Latino community.

When she’s not working, Kara spends time with her husband Ricardo and sons Joaquin and Benicio, 7 and 3.

Sonoma Patch: You grew up in Sonoma. How has it changed over the years?

Kara:  I'll never forget the first time I learned the quote "the more things change, the more they stay the same."  I was a junior at Sonoma High.  This is how I feel about Sonoma.  Faces change, council members and businesses come and go, but the way we choose to live our lives and fight to keep Sonoma special is the same.

SP: What inspired you to move back?

Kara:  After living abroad for several years, I started to miss all the things that I complained about as a kid.  Like being the daughter of a small town doctor and running into a million people you know every time you go to the store. And I missed family and friends.

SP: You must see families struggling more than ever.

Kara:  There have always been struggles for the working poor in Sonoma. The issues are nearly the same, but it's the magnitude of the problems and the amount of people falling from the middle class almost daily that is challenging to keep up with.

SP: What is it about La Luz that you are most proud of?

Kara:  The individual successes. Watching people who work two to three jobs to make ends meet while learning a new language, and then motivating their kids to be the first in their family to graduate high school or even college. Or someone making the decision to leave an abusive relationship.

SP: What personal qualities make you well suited for your job?

Kara:  Growing up in Sonoma, later living in Mexico and marrying into a Latino family have changed me for the better.  I am sensitive to people's needs, whether they are second-generation Boyes Hot Springs or newly immigrated from a rancho in Oaxaca.

SP: What is your biggest challenge?

Kara:  The feeling that you will never be able to help everyone. 

SP: How does the community work with you?

Kara: We could not do what we do without the contributions of our partner organizations, likeF.I.S.H., Sonoma Valley Community Health Center and Brown Baggers.

SP: How does your international experience influence your work here?

Kara:  I learned the language, but I learned something more important.  The people we identify as "immigrants" in this country have a wealth of knowledge, skills and traditions we can learn from.  I can't imagine a life without having chosen this path.

About this column: Go behind the scenes of the incredible people right under our noses. Every week we'll get into conversation with someone extraordinary who lives or works in Sonoma.

Our Migrant Worker Camp is Open!

It’s grape picking season, and our guest workers no longer have to sleep in their cars or creekside. 

Take a drive down Aguacaliente Road from Arnold Drive, and look left at St. Leo’s Catholic Church.  You will see eight pristine blue temporary “houses” (AKA trailers) that La Luz provides every harvest season for our migrant workers.  There is also a mess hall, shower trailers, a laundry area and a meeting space for classes and lectures.

The 32 young men who live in the camp during harvest get up early, pick grapes, and then return to rest in the late afternoon.  The La Luz Brown Baggers provide breakfast and lunch for the men, and dinner twice a week. 

Many nights La Luz hosts English classes for the men, and lectures on health issues.  Together with St. Joseph’s Health System, medical and dental care—including teeth cleaning-- are provided.

“The cost to operate the camps --close to $35,000—is greatly offset by a grant from the Vadasz Family Foundation,” says Maricarmen Reyes-Larios, who coordinates the camps for La Luz.  “These men are a vital part of our Valley’ economy, and we are happy we can provide these services for them.” 

Photo by Robbi Pengelly/Sonoma Index tribune

“Noche en Copacabana” – Largest and Most Successful –Ever!!

“Music and passion” were all the fashion in La Luz Center’s “Noche en Copacabana” party that transformed The Barracks into Havana’s glitzy 1940’s landmark nightclub.  Panama hats, Guayabera shirts, nightclub attire, plenty of bling, and sexy Brazilian dancers made for “the party of the year.”

View Full Slideshow | Read Sonoma Patch Article

Event co-chairs Karen Adelson and Marcelo Defreitas are to be congratulated on creating an event that raised over $300,000, more than double that of last year’s “Noche de Luna.”  Yvonne Hall, La Luz’s Executive Director, called Copacabana “the largest and most successful event we have ever hosted.”

“Carmen Miranda” AKA Sonoma’s favorite chanteuse Sheila Whitney welcomed guests and shook more than her coconuts on the 30 foot stage she shared with auctioneer Ed Vaughn and the 9-piece Cuban “Orquesta La Moderna Tradición.”  Bird of paradise stilt walkers circulated with committee members in their fruit hats as close to 400 La Luz supporters sampled caipirinhas and Elaine Bell’s Cuban-inspired pulled pork and paella.

Ongoing repartee between Vaughn and Whitney kept the audience engaged, laughing and bidding on auction items.  Among the most popular was a luncheon and cooking lesson by Dean Carvalho at Marcelo Defreitas’ home which sold three times for $12,000 total. 

 The La Luz soccer team took the stage for the Fund A Need as Defreitas told of his grandmother in Brazil releasing all her caged birds after a visit to the city.  “We have the chance to remove cages from people’s lives,” he said, with the services La Luz provides the wives, children, brothers and sisters of these men.  

Special thanks go to the hard-working “Noche Machine” volunteer committee: to Patsy Wynne for chairing the raffle that covered all party expenses and more…  to Patrick Jude for creating the 50 stunning jewel-adorned table centerpieces (AND Sheila’s fabulous costume); to Jamie Pandolfo for set design and construction and to Jack Lundgren for making the 15’ tall gold palm trees.  And, again, to William Murray of William’s Automotive on Highway 12, who takes the most wonderful photographs and shares them with all of you.  What a community of support we have!  Thank you all---for your enthusiasm, your time, your checks, and your good will. 

View Full Slideshow | Read Sonoma Patch Article

Felipa and Julian Puente are La Luz's Volunteers of the Year!

¡Felicidades a Felipa y Julian Puente, nuestros Voluntarios del Año!

Congratulations to Felipa and Julian Puente, our Volunteers of the Year!  This award goes to the volunteer (or, in this case, volunteers) who show outstanding commitment to La Luz Center.  Fely and Julian came to La Luz last summer and have been indispensable volunteers ever since.  Both have worked at our front desk, directing clients and answering phones.  Julian and Fely have also both filled in for us as the childcare provider when our staff member was out sick (the kids love them!).

Julian has helped with various projects around the office, lending us his expertise in construction and other areas.  Julian was also a volunteer for La Luz as we participated in the Sonoma Valley Homeless Count, where he got up early in the mornings to count and survey the Valley's homeless.

Fely has become a real leader in the La Luz community.  She is a member of Poder Popular (a grassroots nonprofit that surveys the health needs of the community) and the Sonoma Valley chapter of Líderes Campesinas (a state-wide organization that raises awareness of the issues faced by female farmworkers and residents of rural areas).  Moreover, Fely was trained in the Adults and Children Together (ACT) Against Violence curriculum, and now volunteers as the teacher of the ACT class at La Luz Center.

Besides all of these amazing contributions to La Luz, both Felipa and Julian bring smiles to the faces of everyone they come into contact with.  Greeting the staff with a hug, sharing baked goods, and emitting a wonderfully positive attitude, they are such an asset to our team.  We couldn't imagine an office without them.

¡Gracias, Julian y Fely, por todo lo que hacen para nosotros y nuestra comunidad!