MAKING A DIFFERENCE- A CHAIR FOR GUILLERMO GONZALEZ
To know Guillermo is to see God’s work at hand. Guillermo was raised in a migrant farm worker family traveling from Mexico through Texas, and homesteading in Immokalee.
Encouraged to reach his full potential, Guillermo was the first in his family to graduate high school and attend college –Florida State University.
While in college Guillermo volunteered endless hours to help migrant students and families learn English. He also became one of the first Americorp members in this area to serve migrant families – always giving back to his community.
His dream of becoming a teacher, working with migrant and ESL students became a reality immediately following graduation.
Working during the day was not enough to satisfy his urge to help farm workers realize their dreams of learning English. Guillermo worked by night teaching farm workers English.
It was on his way to teach the evening class that he suffered a devastating accident that almost claimed his life. Guillermo was not expected to make it through the night but his loved ones’ and friends’ prayers were heard. When the hospital finally wanted to move him to a convalescent home in Jefferson County his willpower of bettering himself caused medical personnel to reconsider his prognosis.
Guillermo, against the odds, taught himself to get onto a wheelchair and regain enough strength to be able to return to teaching English to farm workers. His goal of being self-sufficient, and working part-time to support himself prevents him from getting the government assistance to fund a wheelchair. While others rely solely on government help, Guillermo continues to give to his community.
The chair is a great help to Guillermo who is now able to get around his home without banging and tearing his hands with his old chair. Generosity has once again prevailed in helping a caring young man continue to help himself as well as the hundreds who count on his daily dedication of teaching English in the farm worker and migrant community.
A Letter from Guillermo—
Dear Christmas Connection:
Thank you for your generous donation of the motorized wheelchair to Panhandle Area Education Consortium (PAEC) to Guillermo Gonzalez. Your contribution will make it possible for Guillermo Gonzalez to be a self-sufficient and independent contributor to society. Thanks to organizations like yours who are out there helping those that are in need
Sincerely,
Guillermo Gonzalez.
ESOL Instructor