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. 

Kavita Sethi Joins MCAEL's Board of Directors

By MCAEL • February 5, 2026
Kavita Sethi joins MCAEL’s Board after a more than 30-year career in international development. She has extensive experience in developing and leading infrastructure projects in many regions of the world (Africa, Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean) with a focus on urban mobility, institutional change, governance and private participation in service provision. She brings a strong background in collaborating with government institutions, donor agencies, academia and infrastructure development companies across the world, as a transport professional with the World Bank. Post-retirement, Kavita is an active volunteer and board member for local and international non-profits and remains professionally active as an infrastructure and institutional development consultant. She is passionate about the role education plays in opening economic opportunities and empowering marginalized communities. MCAEL’s mission to promote access to language skills speaks directly to her passion for education and first-hand knowledge of the challenges of language barriers. She is excited to support MCAEL as they continue to deliver on their mission. Kavita holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Clark University and a Master's in Business Economics from the University of Delhi. She lives in Bethesda, Maryland, and is rediscovering the joys of hiking, reading, and photography. She is slowly improving her cooking skills and is always on the lookout for new recipes to try!

MCAEL Statement: Our Commitment to Our Community

By MCAEL • February 3, 2026
At MCAEL, our mission is rooted in strengthening our community by supporting adult English learners and the programs that serve them. In moments of heightened fear and uncertainty, it is important for us to speak clearly about our values and our commitment to the people we serve. Deeply troubling reports of immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota and elsewhere in the country have understandably raised serious concerns within immigrant and non-immigrant communities across the nation. So, it is understandable that many residents in Maryland, and Montgomery County specifically, might feel anxious about the possibility of increased immigration enforcement activity in our local area. This uncertainty creates fear, anxiety, and a sense of vulnerability that affects daily life, family stability, and willingness to seek education and community services. We see and feel the impact of this climate every day through our coalition partners, instructors, learners, volunteers, and within our own circle of friends and families. When immigrants are portrayed broadly and inaccurately as criminals or as a burden on public systems, the harm extends far beyond rhetoric. It can undermine trust, erode community well-being, and weaken the social fabric of our community. We must not let it. It is important to restate facts that are well established and supported by extensive research from reputable academic institutions, government agencies, and policy organizations across the ideological spectrum. Immigrants, including those without documentation, are consistently shown to commit less crime than U.S.-born citizens, to contribute billions of dollars in local, state, and federal taxes, and play a vital role in the workforce and small business creation. These findings are not matters of opinion - they are supported by decades of credible evidence. MCAEL supports policies and values that promote trust between communities and local institutions and are essential for public safety, public health, and educational access. We are grateful to live in a county that recognizes these principles and works to uphold them. MCAEL stands with our learners, our partners, our neighbors, our families, and our community. We affirm the right of every person to be treated with fairness, dignity, compassion, and respect regardless of immigration status, language skills, or ethnicity, and to feel safe in their own homes, neighborhoods, and in their daily lives. We remain committed to supporting adult learners and the programs that serve them, and to working alongside our partners to strengthen resilience, trust, and opportunity throughout Montgomery County.

Fiona Glade Joins MCAEL’s Board of Directors

By MCAEL • January 29, 2026
MCAEL is delighted to welcome Fiona Glade to the Board of Directors. Currently interim dean of the Honors College at Montgomery College, Fiona started her career in higher education more than twenty years ago. Since joining the Montgomery College community six years ago, she has led the department of English Language for Academic Purposes, Communication Studies, and Linguistics; directed the Paul Peck Humanities Institute; and served as interim Campus Dean of Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus. She previously served as Assistant Provost at the University of Baltimore, and prior to that as Associate Professor and Vice Chair at the California State University, Sacramento, where she taught undergraduate composition and writing-in-the-disciplines courses as well as graduate courses in the theory and practice of composition, rhetoric, second language reading and writing, and pedagogy. A first-generation college student and immigrant to the United States, Fiona earned her A.A. in English from Antelope Valley Community College; her B.A. in English from the University of California at Santa Barbara; and her M.A. and her Ph.D., with distinction, in Rhetoric and Composition from Washington State University. Fiona believes passionately in the capacity of higher education to be transformative, and she remains fiercely committed to access, high quality, and affordability. She is proud to have spent her career serving students, faculty, and staff at public institutions, where her highest priority is to contribute to academic excellence and lifelong learning, and to support students’ achievement of the goals they have set for their own education pathways. She is excited to continue her work in this area, now as a member of the MCAEL Board. Fiona lives in Silver Spring with her husband, Walt, and their tiny chihuahua, Wilson. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, cooking, traveling, and volunteering.