Centro Rendu celebrates its graduates, tutors | SLIDESHOW

Hard work and perseverance have brought good things to Elvia Flores and her classmates.

Mayor Suzette Cooke celebrates Elvia Flores’ achievements at the recent Centro Rendu graduation ceremony.

Mayor Suzette Cooke celebrates Elvia Flores’ achievements at the recent Centro Rendu graduation ceremony.

Hard work and perseverance have brought good things to Elvia Flores and her classmates.

Like earning a basic education, finding the resources to succeed in the community and tackling the language barrier.

For 40 Hispanic-American adults, the journey culminated in an official recognition of their academic achievements.

In a program first, Centro Rendu of St. Vincent de Paul celebrated the class of 2015 in a ceremony at Kent Memorial Park on Dec. 19. Students, 21 and older, received graduation certificates – either for fulfilling a primary, secondary, literacy education or other course work – as recognized by the Consulate of Mexico in partnership with the U.S. government. Program tutors and volunteers also were honored at the ceremony.

“Whew … a lot of work,” Flores said of earning her certificates while receiving congratulations from family and friends. “I am happy to (finish) this.”

Centro Rendu, a community-based and Latino-led program managed by St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) of Seattle, King County, provides important services to and a way to communicate with the Hispanic community, including the Kent-Covington area. Centro Rendu’s first community social service center – a hub for many educational opportunities – shares the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store, at 310 Central Ave., Kent.

Centro Rendu provides culturally and linguistically appropriate case management, literacy education, and advocacy designed to increase stability, parent engagement, self-empowerment and civic involvement for Latino families. Last year in Kent, Centro Rendu served 529 individuals with direct services and provided more than 4,500 referrals out into the community.

According to Mirya Munõz-Roach, director of Hispanic Outreach for SVdP of Seattle, King County, graduating is a significant accomplishment. Many Centro Rendu students came from dire poverty, attended classes after work hours, began learning how to read and made various personal sacrifices to be able to complete the course work and earn a certificate.

Munõz-Roach observed that Centro Rendu students have gradually developed the confidence to take on more challenging educational opportunities and have become more engaged in their communities. These investments all started with a commitment to attend literacy classes on a regular basis.

“We feel we are a bridge … We are a place of trust,” Munõz-Roach said. “We have great response and events in the community. We play a role in that engagement. We are very grassroots, and we’re all about education – for (individuals) and their families.”

Mayor Suzette Cooke applauded the effort and welcomed the graduates to play a bigger part in the city they live.

“You are Kent. You are the people who make up this city, and the value that you bring to our community is even greater,” she told the graduates. Cooke has been involved in the development of the Centro Rendu program for several years.

Such a relationship with the city is important to expand the program’s work, Munõz-Roach said.

“Mayor Cooke has been very supportive,” she said.

Ned Delmore, executive director for SVdP of Seattle, King County, said the program works behind strong leadership from many people, notably Munõz-Roach.

“The reason this is special is because of her strength and dynamic energy,” Delmore said. “You need strong people leading this (program) … and she’s just been relentless.”

To learn more, visit http://svdpseattle.org/.




Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website http://kowloonland.com.hk/?big=submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

Courtesy Photo, King County
Prolific tagger faces charges for damage to Kent water tower

Man one of dozens who reportedly tagged properties across King County, including West Hill tower

t
Federal Way man charged in Kent I-5 crash that killed passenger

Documents state that evidence reportedly showed he was the driver, but he blamed the passenger.

The Kent Police Department went all out with their “Moana” themed display - even Maui showed up. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
The Hogwarts Express pulls into Battle of the Badges | Photos

The 2024 Battle of the Badges took over the Renton Technical College on Dec. 14.

Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent Police
City of Kent crime numbers drop in 2024 compared to 2023

Vehicle thefts, commercial burglaries and robberies see big decreases

Courtesy Photo, Kent School District
Kent School District says it ‘will do better next time’ with school closures

Late notifications issued about closures after Dec. 18 windstorm

t
Kent Police arrest pair for downtown robbery of pedestrian

Reportedly used pepper spray to attack Kent man, 56, as he walked on sidewalk Dec. 16

Meeker Middle School, one of six schools closed Wednesday, Dec. 18 in the Kent School District due to power outages from a windstorm. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Windstorm causes closure of six Kent schools due to power outages

Four elementary, two middle schools closed Wednesday, Dec. 18; couple of city roads closed

Volunteers wrap gifts during the 2023 Toys for Joy program. COURTESY PHOTO, Puget Sound Fire
Puget Sound Fire puts out plea for more Toys for Joy donations

Toys needed for children ages 9 to 12; more bikes, scooters requested; deadline is Dec. 20

t
Kent man, 19, faces multiple charges after pursuit near Wenatchee

Driver reportedly fails to stop for state trooper, crashes stolen vehicle along State Route 97

Kent School District Board Director Awale Farah, left, and Superintendent Israel Vela at a high school graduation last summer. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Awale Farah resigns immediately from Kent School Board

Says because of ‘family commitments’ he cannot fulfill rest of his term that expires in November 2025

t
Kent’s Lower Russell Levee project receives John Spellman Award

City, King County Flood District and other partners recognized for historic preservation

Northwood Middle School, 17007 SE 184th St., in unincorporated part of King County in Renton and part of the Kent School District. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Calls about man trying to access Northwood Middle School causes lockdown

Deputies arrest man for investigation of resisting arrest, obstruction at Kent School District property