Black Friday. Cyber Monday. Giving Tuesday. The spirit of the holiday season is giving! It's fun to go shopping for holiday deals after Thanksgiving, and we hope you get everything you've asked for, but after all your shopping, #GivingTuesday is a day to have fun giving back. And, what's the best part about honoring the spirit of giving on December 1? It's so easy!

Because we love having fun with the day of giving, Guadalupe School has partnered with a local Rose Park business to make it even easier for you to join the movement and make a difference. Here's where you can shop on #GivingTuesday, December 1, to benefit our programs.

Mestizo Coffeehouse (631 W North Temple) - The coffeehouse will be selling Guada-lattes all day, and for every drink purchased, our school will receive $2. This specialty drink, beautifully named after our school is a 16 ounce latte with rose and amaretto flavoring. YUM!

And, of course, if you don't want to get out in the cold weather on Tuesday, don't live or work near the Rose Park area, or just have a busy day, there are even easier ways to join the giving movement.

Post on Social Media - Probably the easiest thing you'll do all day! Just make sure your friends know about #GivingTuesday and why they should choose Guadalupe School to receive their donation. You can share your personal experiences, or just go straight to our page and share our posts. Just be sure to ask them to donate and pass it on!

Donate - Even if it's just a little, every little bit counts. You can make a #GivingTuesday donation at ​https://www.razoo.com/story/Guadalupe-Center-Educational-Program_

Who's ready for turkey day?? Well, Thanksgiving is about more than just a big turkey dinner with your family and friends, it's about expressing gratitude and finding the joy in life. So, this season, we asked our staff, what are you thankful for? From our work here at Guadalupe School, to our families and activities outside the classroom or the office, it's clear, we have so much to be thankful for this year.

I am thankful to have a job that I enjoy and feel useful at.  I am thankful for opportunities to learn from and collaborate with my colleagues.  Most of all, I am thankful for my hard-working, wonderful students. - Rebecca Amin, Adult Education Instructor

I am thankful for all the people who have made my transition here to Guadalupe School so much easier - especially my third grade colleagues!  I'm also thankful for my third graders, who keep me on my toes and help me see the little things to be thankful for every day! - Susan McGovern, 3rd Grade Teacher

I'm thankful for my wonderful co-workers. They make my workday enjoyable!
My co-workers are: welcoming, friendly, caring, smart, accepting, generous, funny, encouraging, adventurous. - Princess Gutierrez, Development Officer

This year, I am thankful for the love of my family and friends. Having this meaningful job at Guadalupe School is a great bonus to be thankful for! I am thankful that I enjoy my colleagues at work and the adults and children I serve. I am thankful that I derive a real sense of purpose from my work.  - Elsa Borell, Early Learning Center Director

​

Our Adult Education program was the very first program at Guadalupe School, starting back in 1966. Since then, we have seen hundreds of students achieve their language learning goals, graduate from the program, and improve their lives. But, what exactly does it mean to our students to learn English well enough to graduate? Well, we'll let them tell you...

Silvia 
Learning English has been important to me because I have learned how to speak better and have better 
communication.  One important thing I learned was that English is very important.  My advice to other 
students at Guadalupe School is to stay in school and take advantage of the opportunity that Guadalupe 
School offers.

Maria
I have been attending Guadalupe School for these past five years with great pleasure.  I thank all who 
have had so much patience with me.  I have learned to better understand the English language and have 
learned to read and write and to communicate with my everyday community.  Five years have passed, 
and I have learned to be a better person.  I respect each of my teachers and coordinators.  Thanks to 
Linda, Dani, Melanie and Kate; and thanks again Guadalupe School for helping our community to be a 
better place.  Keep helping others be a part of the community.  God bless you.

Susana 
Learning English is important to me because in this country, English is the main language.  If we speak 
English, we can have a better job and we are able to help our children with homework.  We can also feel 
more confident when we have to speak English.  Learning English has been very important for me.   
When I started coming to Guadalupe School I was really shy, but every tutor that taught me English 
lessons gave me the confidence to keep learning and speaking English with a lot of confidence and to 
believe in myself.  My advice to other students is to keep trying and never give up.  If you really want to 
do something and you put a lot of hard work into it, you can achieve your goal.  I also want to wish them 
good luck and best wishes.

Zuly 
Learning English has been important to me because now I feel more comfortable in my personal life.  
Also, it has been helpful as I find work.  Now I understand American culture.  One important thing I 
learned was how to be available to help my daughter with her homework.  I can read, write and talk 
with her.  My advice to other students at Guadalupe School is to tell them how studying English has 
been helpful to me and can be for them, too.

If you'd like to be a part of Adult Ed as a student, or a volunteer tutor please contact Kate Brainerd at kate.brainerd@guadschool.org. 

By Danielle Lankford, Guadalupe School Communications Specialist

Can you believe it? It's already November, which means 2016 isn't far behind! As we begin to wrap up the year at Guadalupe, we reflect on all that we have achieved together in 2015. And, I say together, because without our wonderful students, tutors, volunteers, donors, and community partners - we just wouldn't be able to do it all! Here is a quick run-down of what you have helped us accomplish so far this year, changing educational dreams into goals and plans for the future: