February 2, 2006

San Juana Maldonado

To Whom It May Concern:

I write this few lines with the whole purpose of supporting all the adult education programs in Arizona. These programs have helped me to reach some of my dreams. I arrived here in the year 1985; I was 17 years old and ever since I have been working to help my parents and now my own children.

Now my dream is to become a citizen of the U.S.A. and to continue my studies in order to help my children with their own studies. If these educational programs are removed, we will be lost. I ask you to please consider the people like myself that need these services; we are people who come to this country to work and make a better life for ourselves without becoming a burden to anyone.

February 2, 2006

Hi, my name is Elvira Martinez. I am a permanent resident and since I came to the United States my first purpose was to learn English in order to obtain a better job. Thanks to the help of Friendly House I was able to learn English. I started in the basic beginning class four years ago with Gene Moran as my instructor. I learned good English, I have a good job and now thanks to them I am able to attend citizenship classes. The citizenship classes are very important to me because I will be able to help my family and the community. I would like to continue attending these services, please think about us, we need these services in order to be a better example to others.

February 2, 2006

Yanet A. Storm

When I arrived in this country, I came in with a lot of dreams and hopes of progressing in this great country of opportunities. I came in without speaking or understanding a single word in English. But now thanks to programs like Friendly House I have slowly come ahead. I now speak and understand some English. Now my goal is to become a citizen of the United States with the help of adult education programs such as Friendly House I know I can do it. If these programs are no longer available in the future, it would be so difficult for me to continue my dream since I wouldn’t be able to afford them. I believe that this country is the land of opportunities and that these adult education programs are the key for our children and us to succeed.

February 2, 2006

I have seen many successes stories throughout my years as a citizenship teacher. However, I would like to share one special story that I will never forget.

Ibrahim had been a permanent resident for six years. He comes to the United States with his wife and two children. The family had opened a restaurant and worked long hours to get it established. In addition to the many hours he worked at his business, he still found time to attend citizenship classes. Ibrahim studied hard and became a U.S. citizen. His hard work and determination is a fine example of the American spirit. I look forward to working with more students like him.

Sincerely,

Gene Moran