A Conversation with Hellen Lainez, an Adult ESOL coordinator at CASA.

October 1, 2025

Hellen Lainez is the Adult ESOL Coordinator at CASA, where she leads adult English language instructional efforts and conducts community outreach. Her journey with CASA began in high school, when she completed her community service hours with the organization. As an immigrant who arrived in the United States at the age of twelve, Hellen deeply understands the challenges faced by those seeking support at CASA. Motivated by her own experiences and a desire to give back to her community, she returned to CASA to make a meaningful impact. 

 

  MCAEL: In your opinion, what are some of the biggest barriers immigrants face when it comes to learning English, and how does the “Life Skills ESOL Class” at CASA address those barriers? 


Education. Education is the biggest barrier faced because back home [their native country], needs are different. Somebody who couldn't attend school, and whose primary language is not Spanish but dialect; specifically, Mum, Quiche, etc. from Latin America, tend to have different needs. The “Life Skills Class” helps people address the requirements of daily life, such as filling out forms, applying for jobs, or even applying for an ID. 


  MCAEL: What kind of feedback do you receive from learners, and how does that feedback influence changes or improvements in the curriculum? 


Surveys are given at the beginning of class; every learner fills out a form with their “top 3 goals” which is what they hope to achieve by the end. Instructors are then given surveys to ensure the curriculum is aligned with learner goals. There are also student surveys that provide the instructor with feedback on curriculum.

 

  MCAEL: What long-term impacts have you seen in learners who complete the “Life Skills ESOL Class” or the “Workforce ESOL program”? Are there any specific areas of their lives that you believe have notably improved because of these classes? 

Students have been able to get better jobs and have access to more opportunities as a result. One big thing is that learners can participate in community events and specifically are able to learn where they can go for help. 


  MCAEL: What role do you think English language programs play in fostering integration and belonging for immigrants? 

The "Adult Life Skills" English class is a vital part of fostering integration and a sense of belonging. It equips learners with practical language skills, such as filling out forms, communicating with neighbors, or speaking with a doctor, which are essential for navigating life in the U.S. These skills not only build confidence but also help immigrants develop a sense of belonging. In a challenging political climate, we aim to empower learners to engage fully in their communities. Our English classes are more than language instruction; they are spaces where language becomes a bridge rather than a barrier, connecting learners and making them feel part of a community. 


  MCAEL: What is your most memorable moment/success story from your time working with the “Life Skills ESOL Class” or the “Workforce ESOL program”? 


We have had students enroll in higher education. We have also had students who end up serving the community, helping others as well because they were once in their shoes. We have had learners who had higher education in their home country but the only thing blocking them was the language -- once they took our classes, they were able to continue where they left off. Someone who never had the opportunity to attend school begins to understand why education is so important. From enrolling in English classes to helping others, we are glad to see a full circle all tying back to CASA. 

 

Interview conducted by Kairy Castro Barrios, MCAEL Intern. 

Creating a Safe Space for Latina Women

By MCAEL • September 23, 2026
Like many immigrant families, we arrived in this country with many dreams, hopes, and goals for a better future. However, one of the first and most significant barriers I encountered was language. I began volunteering at my son’s school, where I met other women who were facing the same challenges I was — difficulties communicating, limited job opportunities, and a deep fear of speaking with their children’s teachers. Many of us were also afraid to visit the doctor because we could not fully understand what was being said. We felt frustrated, isolated, and, at times, invisible. These shared experiences inspired me to take action. I decided to create a safe space where Latina women could feel heard, supported, and empowered. In 2010, I had the opportunity to volunteer with GBCI, where I coordinated conversational English classes for a group of mothers. Then, in 2011, we began a partnership with Epworth United Methodist Church, offering morning English classes and expanding our work in collaboration with AABF. For more than 17 years, I have dedicated my life to motivating women to follow their dreams, to believe in themselves, and to recognize their own strength. Today, Mujer Fuerza y Coraje is a nonprofit organization committed to supporting women and their families through a variety of programs and resources. These include Welcome Baby, designed for pregnant women; Los Años Dorados, created for Spanish-speaking seniors; summer arts programs for children and youth; and English classes during the summer. In addition, we provide training sessions, educational and mental health programs, workshops on child abuse prevention, substance abuse prevention for youth, food distribution, and assistance in connecting families with essential community resources. Our mission is to continue expanding our programs supporting more families by providing tools like English as a Second Language classes, helping them access better job opportunities, and strengthening communication within their communities and their own families.  We are working together for a better future. Milagro Flores is the CEO, Founder, and Director of Mujer, Fuerza y Coraje. She’s lived in Montgomery County for 20 years.
Graphic promoting an Executive Director Spotlight featuring Gerard Etienne and his recent blog.

Executive Director Spotlight: It's Back-to-School for Adult Learners Too

By Gerard Etienne • August 25, 2026
I don’t remember my first day of high school very well, or even my first day in college, but I will never forget my first day of 8th grade or how I felt. My family and I had just arrived in the U.S. in late July, and while I had taken a year of English in the French school system, the only sentence I could say with a degree of confidence was “I don’t speak English”! I was enrolled at St. Michael’s in Silver Spring (a K-8 school that closed in 2012), and on that first day, I went up to the teacher before class started and told him, “I don’t speak English.” He said something back to me, but I didn’t understand what he said, and I went to sit back down. For the rest of that day, and many days after that, I did my best to figure out what to do, where to be, and how to navigate my day-to-day. To do my homework, I first had to use an English-French dictionary to translate it, then switch to a French-English dictionary to translate my thoughts to English. As difficult as that experience was, I realize that I was very lucky—I was young, I had a strong academic foundation, no financial responsibilities, no one to take care of, and I was immersed in English every day, all of which allowed me to learn the language relatively quickly. The situation for adults is very different. Many, if not most, have families to support, bills to pay, multiple responsibilities to manage, and have limited time to devote to taking English classes, all while navigating an increasingly challenging climate of immigration enforcement and economic uncertainty. Despite these challenges, thousands of adults across Montgomery County have the courage, perseverance, and determination to take classes year after year. They choose to invest in themselves even when doing so means fitting English around work schedules, childcare, transportation, and everything else life demands of them. I had the incredible advantage of being immersed in English every day and having most of my day devoted to learning. Most adults don’t have that luxury. As children go back to school this fall, it is worth remembering that thousands of adults are also heading to the classroom to improve their English, often after a full day of work or caring for their families. Their determination is remarkable and inspiring. We have the responsibility to make sure that every adult who wants to learn English has the opportunity, support, and access to do so.

Executive Director Spotlight: Channeling Frustration into Purpose

By Gerard Etienne • July 23, 2026
Over the past several months, I’ve found myself avoiding the news, not because I don’t care—quite the contrary—but because the sheer volume and constant stream of “bad” news can feel overwhelming. It’s easy to feel exhausted and frustrated by problems that seem far bigger than any one person can solve. When I’m in that place, I try to remind myself that the work that my team and I do every day, the work that the nonprofit community does in MoCo—which is fundamentally about helping others—is a way to combat the harmful impact of what we see happening in the news and in our community. I may not be able to solve every problem or change harmful policies, but I can choose how I respond. I can help a neighbor, donate my time, work for a cause, advocate for someone, or support my community. Those actions may seem small, but I know for a fact that they can matter a great deal to the people receiving them. And I know they mean a great deal to me.  Helping others doesn’t solve everything, nor does it make the world’s problems disappear. But it can help to channel frustration into purpose. Even if we can’t control all that is happening, we can still have a positive impact on the people around us and on our community.