Organization Spotlight: Gaithersburg Beloved Community Initiative

September 9, 2019

For this month's spotlight, I reached out to Georgia Portocarrero and Winanne Kreger (bio below) to share with us about the Gaithersburg Beloved Community Initiative's (GBCI) English Conversation Group. 


Can you describe your ESOL program and how your organization came to be?


The GBCI English Conversation Group was started in 2012 by a group of Asbury Methodist Village (a retirement community in Gaithersburg) residents and two members of the Gaithersburg community, under the aegis of the Gaithersburg Beloved Community Initiative. This is one of a number of programs GBCI has developed to foster collaboration and communication between Asbury residents and members of the surrounding community.

Volunteers from AMV and neighboring areas meet weekly for an hour with second language learners who come from Gaithersburg and Germantown to improve their English conversation skills.  When the group started there were five participants, who spoke very little English. As the group grew, it was split into two levels, one for beginners and the other for intermediate students. 

What are the demographics of learners?

The majority of our participants are women from Central and South America, although we have had learners from Asian countries and for several years the husband of one of our participants was part of the group.  Many of the women have babies and pre-school children who play in a nearby space while their mothers practice English.

For readers who may not be familiar with GBCI and your ESOL program, what are some things you would like them to know about your program?

Currently, the GBCI English Conversation Group meets for eleven sessions in the Fall (September-December) and eleven sessions in the Spring (March-June).  Participants are given a certificate if they attend at least eight of the eleven sessions.  
During each semester, we discuss topics that are generated by the participants and the volunteers.  We also invite speakers from the community to provide information about issues and resources of interest to the group. We have had speakers talk about immigration, gangs, nutrition and food banks, women’s health issues and public library programs, among other topics.
In addition to providing an opportunity for learning English and gaining information about community resources, this class functions as a place for participants to network and support one another.

Can you share a recent success story?

Milagro Rivera Flores, one of the founders of and first participants in the group, was very shy and spoke little English when she partnered with the AMV volunteers to organize the group and become the liaison between GBCI and the Gaithersburg community. Over time her English improved, she developed confidence in her ability to network in the community and started organizing workshops and events for her fellow immigrants. She also started Mujer Fuerza y Coraje (Powerful and Courageous Women), a group dedicated to mutual support and empowerment of women. In 2017 she received the MCPS Board of Education Distinguished Service in Public Education Award. In addition, she has recently received an award as one of the 100 top female leaders in the DC Metropolitan Hispanic community.  

Georgia Portocarrero taught at bilingual schools in Mexico and worked as an ESOL teacher for MCPS.  After retiring, she taught Workplace English for MCPS.  She has been co-leader of the GBCI English Conversation Group since 2015.   

Winanne Kreger worked as an internal organization development consultant and mediator for an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where she worked with individuals and work teams across the United States and in countries around the world until her retirement in 2010.
Winanne has enjoyed working with this group since 2013. This is her first experience working with English as a Second Language learners. 

A picture of Gerard Etienne, MCAEL's new Executive Director. He wears a navy-blue suit.

A Letter from MCAEL's New Executive Director

By Emma Starr • May 21, 2025
Dear MCAEL Community, It is such an honor to be joining you as MCAEL’s new Executive Director. With my many years of mission-driven work rooted in Montgomery County – and as an English language learner myself – I could not be more thrilled to join this amazing staff and network of programs. I’ve known MCAEL for years through my work in the county, both at Interfaith Works and most recently as Chief Program & Innovation Officer at the Jewish Council for the Aging (JCA). But after just two weeks on the job at MCAEL, I’ve gained an even deeper understanding of the breadth of work that we do – and the impact that we have on the lives of so many. Not speaking English affects your life in almost every way, from asking for directions or help in a store to securing employment and an education. I speak from experience. I was a young teenager when my family moved to the United States. Not knowing how to speak the language, I had to navigate not only a new country, but eighth grade in an American middle school (arguably challenging even for native speakers). At a time when some of our learners are afraid to come to class, we need to stand tall and continue to do what we have always done – offer pathways to a better quality of life through English learning, and to support our strong network of programs in doing so. I am excited to take on this work and I look forward to meeting all of you through planned visits to programs, as well as at meetings and community events. I welcome your phone calls, emails, and visits! Please reach out at any time – I would love it. Warmly, Gerard

MCAEL’s First-Ever Learner Celebration

By Emma Starr • May 14, 2025
One hundred and sixty-five people came out for food, performances, resources, and inspiring stories at MCAEL’s first-ever Celebration of English Learners last month. Attendees may have hailed from across the globe, but they shared common experiences as immigrants and English language learners. At the event, they had access to organizations offering services ranging from healthcare to legal advice – and all enjoyed an abundance of international food, and a lively program featuring the personal stories of learners and dance performances by Grupo Folklorico Internacional and CCACC Evergreen Martial Arts Health Dance Class. Representatives from the offices of Councilmembers Jawando and Mink presented a special citation, signed by the Council Education Committee, to Sonia Peñate, long-time volunteer (and former learner) from the Seneca Creek Community Church ESOL program. Kanidiengue Kone, who moved to the US from the Ivory Coast three years ago and currently serves as a member of MCAEL’s Learner Leadership Group, had these words for the crowd: “Today, I want to encourage you: keep going with your classes, even when it feels hard. Growth happens when we step outside of our comfort zone.”
Image of Gerard Etienne, MCAEL's New Executive Director.

MCAEL Welcomes Gerard J. P. Etienne as New Executive Director

By MCAEL • April 16, 2025
MCAEL is delighted to announce the appointment of Gerard J. P. Etienne as its new Executive Director. Gerard brings a depth of experience overseeing and growing large programs, most recently as Chief Program & Innovation Officer at the Jewish Council for the Aging (JCA). He will assume his new position at MCAEL on May 5, 2025. Gerard began his career as a mechanical engineer and then a management consultant for both small and large companies, focusing on intrapreneurship and innovation. He discovered his passion for mission-driven work through years of volunteering – leading him to a position as Director of the Vocational Services Program (VSP) at Interfaith Works, where he worked directly with immigrant job seekers, including non-English speakers, to help them overcome cultural and employment barriers. “Gerard brings a deep personal connection to MCAEL’s mission and a strong commitment to serving vulnerable and marginalized communities in Montgomery County,” said Sean Klein, MCAEL Board Chair. “His record of equity-centered leadership, along with his experience managing multidisciplinary teams and complex programs, make him the ideal choice to lead MCAEL into its next chapter.” ๏ปฟ "I am thrilled and honored to serve as MCAEL'S next Executive Director,” Gerard stated. “As a long-time Montgomery County resident and someone with lived experience as an English learner, MCAEL'S mission is deeply personal to me. It's a privilege to give back to my community and to help expand opportunities for adult learners across our county." Gerard’s family moved to the United States when he was a teenager, and he entered the American school system speaking no English. A Montgomery County resident for almost 40 years, Gerard and his wife raised two sons here. He and his wife are both avid fans of Arsenal Football Club (they never miss a game). They live in Silver Spring with their dog, Doug.