La Luz Center

"Viva La Noche" event for La Luz Center Continued Education Programs

Don't miss the very special evening of great food with a unique taste of Latin flavors prepared by Primaveranueva.

Enjoy music by Carlos Herrera from 6 to 7, then Carlos Herrera and his band will continue playing until 8:30, with dance lessons by dance lessons by Carlos and Sheila from 8:30 till 9:00 and then Sapo Guapo will play until 11:00 p.m.

Place: The Famous Little Switzerland located at 19080 Riverside Dr. Sonoma
Date: Saturday March 13th @ 6:00 p.m.
Cost: $100 per person (No Host Bar).
For: La Luz Center Continued Education Programs

For reservations please call Brenda Serrano at 707-938-5131 ext. 105 or e-mail us.

A Word From Our Director

By Stephen Dale — During these very challenging times La Luz Center is holding strong, with the continued support of our community. Education has become our primary vision, with focus on ESL, GED Adult education and computer classes, along with our Parents Speak Up program. We continue to award scholarships to eligible High School students & to young English language achievers.

We saw 40% more clients this year in our Family Service Program--visits for emergencies, such as rental and utility assistance. Legal aid for domestic violence and child abuse is rising, due to loss of work. In collaboration with Catholic Charities food distribution was busier than ever as was the Mobile Health Van. Our nutritional classes are at capacity, promoting better diets to prevent obesity—and diabetes. This year’s Bi-National Health Fair had over 500 people come for flu shots and wellness clinics, and we distributed almost 500 matriculates and passports working with the Mexican Consulate Mobile.

In our isolated Valley, where transportation is less than adequate, the need for our services is greater than ever—as is the need your support. Muchas Gracias and Happy New Year! ❧   

New Focus on Education

By Paul Martinez — La Luz has recently formed a new committee to focus on education. One of the first tasks was to review and evaluate last year’s high school scholarships to judge their effectiveness. La Luz had awarded 10 scholarships to Hispanic high school graduates accepted to UC Davis, Dominican University, San Francisco State, and others.

One SVHS student, Marcos Rendon, was awarded a La Luz scholarship that helped him attend Cal State University at Chico this fall. Marcos is the first of his family to go to college. He plans on graduating in Music Technology with a minor in business. As he had no formal music background, starting his classes “was like going to a whole different country where they speak a different language,” says Marcos. He is working harder scholastically than ever before, and is fulfilling a long held dream made possible by support from La Luz.

This is exactly the kind of change we want to influence in our community.  We want our Scholarship program to motivate students to think "outside the box" and envisage whole new life paths.  ❧

Best “Noche de Luna” Event Ever!

     By Martha Rosenblatt — As well as serving as president of the Board of Directors of La Luz, I had the pleasure of being one of three chairs of our most successful fund raising event, "Noche de Luna". Even in this difficult year for non-profits, we were able to raise $183,000, more than ever before. It may be because this event is one of the most enjoyable fundraisers in the valley, noted not only for excellent food and great fun, but for making a difference in the lives of so many people. With our increasing awareness of the role education plays in contributing to the success of the community we serve, we intend to focus more than ever before in this area. There is a growing need for more comprehensive computer training, ESL classes, and GED programs , as well as support through scholarships. With your contributions to this effort, I know we will succeed in increasing these programs in the very near future.
I hope all of you who have not attended "Noche" in the past will put the date of September 19th on your calendar for next year. I especially want to thank my co-chairs, Pam Story and Patsy Wynne who enthusiastically gave of their time, labors, creativity and donations. There were also many other volunteers who worked tirelessly, and they were wonderful.

Though we cannot thank all of our volunteers and supporters in this short space, we would like to thank those sponsors who gave $1000 or more. The many others who gave of their time and money will be thanked on our web-site. We couldn't have achieved our success without you!

Vineyard Worker Camps at Capacity

This year’s Migrant Vineyard Worker housing was the most successful in many years. Our temporary housing was 100% full with a waiting list of workers. Twice during harvest season groups left to work further north and their beds were filled the next day.

This was the first year that the Vineyard Worker Housing was provided as a combined effort of La Luz Center and Vineyard Workers Services . Director of Vineyard Workers Services Mario Castillo and his assistant Don Jose Fernandez report this year’s harvest lasted longer than normal, due to the cooler growing season.

Thanks to the continued support of Father Donahue, the project marked its fifth consecutive year at St. Leo's Church in Agua Caliente. There were eight housing units, with separate shower and bathroom facilities. During the Vineyard Workers’ stay, they received dental and physical check ups provided by St. Joseph's Memorial Hospital. La Luz Center also provided the men with daily ESL language classes.

Many of the meals were provided by the local Brown Baggers organization led by Elizabeth Kemp and Sharon Delaney, both board members of La Luz Center.

Imagery Winery Hosts VWS Benefit Party

On October 29th La Luz and Vineyard Workers Services held their annual Migrant Farmworker Camp silent auction at the Benziger Family’s Imagery Estate Winery.

Even with a challenge from the World Series and a late harvest, the event was a great success. Mike was still tending to harvest but sister Kathey Benziger welcomed us all. The Red Grape provided pizzas. Peter Haywood, one of the founders of the Migrant Farm Worker Camps, gave the audience some history followed by a touching video never before shown about the camps.

Heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Mike and Mary Benziger for their continued support of the Farm Worker Camps. The Benziger Winery, one of the few wineries in Sonoma Country that is 100% biodynamic, has a love and passion for the land that supports their family, and a compassion for the Farm Workers without whom they know they would not be able to produce their fine wines.

Special thanks to the Sangiacomo and Robledo Families, Gloria Ferrer and to our VWS Angels—The Vadasz Family Foundation!