Get our CREC e-Newsletter:
Helping Students Prepare for the Future
(Hartford, CT) Maribel Cartagena, a single mother of two, came from Puerto Rico to the United States 20 years ago. Her oldest son is currently serving in the U.S. Army overseas. While she is proud of him, it is difficult for her because can’t know his missions. She is always praying for his safe return.
With her children now older, Cartagena recently decided it was time to focus on her own needs, and her first step was to find a class that would improve her English skills, especially her writing.
Cartagena went to America’s Job Center, where she met a case manager who referred her to CREC. After completing her initial assessment, she was placed in a class for advanced English language learners, which has a transition to college component. The class is offered by CREC’s Community Education Division.
For two days each week, Cartagena attended classes at CREC, and for eight Saturdays, she went to Central Connecticut State University for the college preparation component. She exceled in her classes and graduated with perfect attendance. One of Cartagena’s biggest fears is public speaking, but she pushed herself out of her comfort zone, delivered a presentation during CREC’s International Day event, and spoke at her graduation. This was a huge barrier to overcome, and she did so well that she was invited to represent CREC’s Community Education Division during a special CREC 50th anniversary event held earlier this year.
Cartagena did not stop there. She continued to complete advanced English classes and transitioned to Manchester Community College, where she is a student in the medical office assistant program, taking classes in keyboarding, communication skills, and medical terminology. As she completes her course work, she works two part-time jobs. Every day, CREC’s Community Education Division offers classes to adult learners like Cartagena in GED preparation, English as a second language, family literacy, and other career preparation courses. Its many students are from all different backgrounds. For example, CREC enrolled immigrants from 26 countries in its adult education classes last year.
CREC cares about all of its students, and this year, it will hold a voter registration session to help adult education students and the Greater Hartford community.
Anyone wishing to register to vote in the upcoming presidential election can do so September 28 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the student lounge on the second floor of 34 Sequassen Street in Hartford.
To register to vote, you must be a United States citizen and a Connecticut resident, and you must be at least 17 years old and turn 18 before Election Day. If you were previously convicted of a felony, you must have completed confinement and parole to register.
When registering to vote, you must provide your driver’s license number and the last four digits or your social security number. Voter registration forms will be provided in English and Spanish and online, and CREC staff members will be there to help individuals complete the required paperwork.
