2008 Woodie Awards
The Language of Community: The Hispanic Apostolate
Rachel Horst
Issue date: 2/9/05 Section: Features
Even though Goucher is but a short ride from the city of Baltimore, it can sometimes seem a world away. For the car-less of the student population, transportation can be tough to coordinate and efforts diminished by the everyday workload and preoccupations of campus life.
Yet there are a variety of ways in which this student body can further connect itself to the urban center that sits just a few exits down the highway, which can benefit both Goucher and Baltimore itself.
While the distasteful logistics of a night of clubbing might be enough to turn heads away from the city, the truth remains that there are needs in Baltimore that can be met in a fulfilling way by students on this very campus.
The members of CAUSE, Goucher's community service organization, recognize this, as do a number of service-oriented courses offered at Goucher that work to integrate coursework with outside learning experiences. One of these opportunities for that off-campus learning experience is the Hispanic Apostolate.
Offered as an option for students in embedded or full-time service courses, that is, courses that require some type of local community service as part of the class, as well as those just interested in doing a couple of hours a week of service, the Apostolate is part of a whole list of agencies under the umbrella of Catholic Charities, a non-profit service organization.
The aim of the Hispanic Apostolate is to provide support for the local Hispanic community through family, immigration, language, and health services.
Typically, Goucher students volunteer at the Apostolate as English tutors, as there are a great number of Spanish speakers who utilize the organization's free and flexible language training program.
There are also opportunities to provide assistance in health and mentoring programs. In all cases, volunteers at the Hispanic Apostolate interact directly with community members and are given the opportunity to individually work with them.
For students learning the Spanish language, be it those enrolled in the basics of Spanish 110 or those exploring the rigors of a 300-level literature course, this is a perfect example of the application of skills acquired at school to concrete purposes. It is the most beneficial way to improve one's speaking and grammar skills through regular use of the language in a constantly changing, conversational setting.
Many people who utilize the Hispanic Apostolate's English program already have a strong command of the language, and simply wish to become fluent and more at ease with their everyday use of English.
Others have barely any fundamental knowledge at all. In either case, this personal setting, often with one-on-one training, is an excellent way to build confidence on the part of the individuals who come to the Apostolate as well as the students. It is an environment where both sides can encourage each other and learn more about sometimes distant communities.
Working at the Hispanic Apostolate is truly an educational and enlightening experience, an ongoing effort to become both more aware and more involved in the community Goucher shares. The program is open to all students, and the Hispanic Apostolate needs volunteers more than just one day a week.
The most common time for students to go is on Thursdays from 7-9 pm, or Saturdays from 10-12 am.
Best of all, there is a solution to the eternal burning question, "How can I get there?" One of Goucher's infamous "vans" is available for this purpose, and departure times will vary according to the number of students interested.
For more information about the Hispanic Apostolate, visit their website. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Rachel Horst to discuss times and dates.
Yet there are a variety of ways in which this student body can further connect itself to the urban center that sits just a few exits down the highway, which can benefit both Goucher and Baltimore itself.
While the distasteful logistics of a night of clubbing might be enough to turn heads away from the city, the truth remains that there are needs in Baltimore that can be met in a fulfilling way by students on this very campus.
The members of CAUSE, Goucher's community service organization, recognize this, as do a number of service-oriented courses offered at Goucher that work to integrate coursework with outside learning experiences. One of these opportunities for that off-campus learning experience is the Hispanic Apostolate.
Offered as an option for students in embedded or full-time service courses, that is, courses that require some type of local community service as part of the class, as well as those just interested in doing a couple of hours a week of service, the Apostolate is part of a whole list of agencies under the umbrella of Catholic Charities, a non-profit service organization.
The aim of the Hispanic Apostolate is to provide support for the local Hispanic community through family, immigration, language, and health services.
Typically, Goucher students volunteer at the Apostolate as English tutors, as there are a great number of Spanish speakers who utilize the organization's free and flexible language training program.
There are also opportunities to provide assistance in health and mentoring programs. In all cases, volunteers at the Hispanic Apostolate interact directly with community members and are given the opportunity to individually work with them.
For students learning the Spanish language, be it those enrolled in the basics of Spanish 110 or those exploring the rigors of a 300-level literature course, this is a perfect example of the application of skills acquired at school to concrete purposes. It is the most beneficial way to improve one's speaking and grammar skills through regular use of the language in a constantly changing, conversational setting.
Many people who utilize the Hispanic Apostolate's English program already have a strong command of the language, and simply wish to become fluent and more at ease with their everyday use of English.
Others have barely any fundamental knowledge at all. In either case, this personal setting, often with one-on-one training, is an excellent way to build confidence on the part of the individuals who come to the Apostolate as well as the students. It is an environment where both sides can encourage each other and learn more about sometimes distant communities.
Working at the Hispanic Apostolate is truly an educational and enlightening experience, an ongoing effort to become both more aware and more involved in the community Goucher shares. The program is open to all students, and the Hispanic Apostolate needs volunteers more than just one day a week.
The most common time for students to go is on Thursdays from 7-9 pm, or Saturdays from 10-12 am.
Best of all, there is a solution to the eternal burning question, "How can I get there?" One of Goucher's infamous "vans" is available for this purpose, and departure times will vary according to the number of students interested.
For more information about the Hispanic Apostolate, visit their website. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Rachel Horst to discuss times and dates.