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Mission helps people move up
By Mike Jeffers
She performed her missionary work within the Spanish-speaking community, but her needs changed when she got married and had her first daughter. Arzate ran into a linguistic wall that limited her ability to work and perform the daily tasks of life in America. Then she found El Buen Samaritano Episcopal Mission in South Austin. "Every day was a struggle because I had to ask my co-workers for help every time a customer said something I couldn't understand," Arzate said. "I dreaded going to work every day because I couldn't understand English, and that was the only reason." El Buen Samaritano is a nonprofit mission whose goal is "to transform lives by engaging the strengths of the working-poor Hispanic families to promote their successful participation in society," according to its Web site. Representatives from U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett's office, Gov. Rick Perry's office, Sen. Kirk Watson's office and the city of Austin attended the mission's 20th anniversary Monday. The mission's philosophy is different than many nonprofit organizations because of its focus on helping underprivileged families move up in the world rather than simply helping them to survive. English as a Second Language education, job readiness skills, social services, health education, leadership training, child day care, organic gardening and emergency food assistance are among the services the mission provides. "We're not a charity; we're a hand up, not a hand out," said the Rev. Ed Gomez, the mission's executive director. When Arzate decided to learn English, the mission offered courses and day care so her children would be looked after while she was in class. Within two years Arzate graduated from the mission's ESL program and passed the General Education Development Test. She is now enrolled in accounting classes at Austin Community College. The Texan strives to present all information fairly, accurately and completely.
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Pastor Rao
posted 12/17/07 @ 7:55 AM CST
To,
Dear in Christ,
Please just few minutes, you may have been receiving several mails from all over the world. But this is deferent LOOK WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE through this ministry. (Continued…)
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