School On Wheels

Catholic Volunteer joins education program

 

Immokalee—The School On Wheels Program of Catholic Charities, an English as a second language program that is held in the homes of migrant or other disadvantaged women, recently welcomed Kristina O’Hern as the new director.

 

O’Hern is a member of Catholic Volunteers in Florida (CVIF), a volunteer program that requires a full year of service in which the volunteer lives and works in communities with the greatest need throughout the state of Florida.

 

“Prior to joining the CVIF community, I was teaching high school Spanish back home in Minnesota,” said O’Hern. “Teaching is a strong passion of mine and although I was living out that passion, I knew that I was being called to do something more; to work directly with the poor.”

 

After interviewing with CVIF and being accepted into the program, O’Hern was introduced to Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice and presented with the position of Education Director for the School On Wheels program at Guadalupe Social Services.

 

“I knew very little about rural life and the farm-working community in Immokalee and even though there were many uncertainties, I took a leap of faith and trusted that God would lead me to where I was supposed to be,” O’Hern said. “I came to Immokalee with an open mind and open heart, essential prerequisites to committing both my time and talents to a community truly in need.”

 

The women in the School On Wheels program cannot go anywhere else to learn English because they have small children and/or lack transportation. The need for these women to speak English is essential to their survival.

 

Once a week, female volunteer tutors teach needy women basic, survival English during 90 minute sessions. These lessons empower students to take better care of their families, gain employment, talk to teachers or doctors--to become more self-sufficient. The program currently has a waiting list of students because volunteer tutors are desperately needed.

 

“School On Wheels is a response to strengthening families and our volunteers make this goal become a reality,” O’Hern said. Female volunteers are provided with training and support, and do not need to be able to speak Spanish.

 

The goal of the program is to empower women and give them confidence so they can lead better lives.

 

“I have discovered that no act of kindness is ever too small and that when you have faith in God everything is possible,” O’Hern said.

 

For more information or to volunteer for the School On Wheels Program, please call Kristina O’Hern at Guadalupe Social Services of Catholic Charities at 239-657-6242 or email her at schoolonwheels@centurylink.net.

 

Photo: Kristina O'Hern.