By: Amy Leung

 

As she carefully maneuvers herself around the scattered toys on the floor, Nohely Torres, 53, finds a clear path straight to her office. Torres goes to her desk and hears the hum of her computer starting up. As an Office Assistant and Apprentice Volunteer Co-coordinator of New Dream Child Care Center, Torres organizes all the field trips and cultural events the center hosts throughout the year to accommodate children of all ethnicities, specifically Latinos in Eugene, Oregon.

Having immigrant parents from Central America, Torres had a hard time trying to adopt American social standards while maintaining Guatemalan traditions at home growing up in Los Angeles, California. “I knew I didn’t want my kids to experience a culture gap like I did. I wanted them to understand their background and also have better opportunities living in the States unlike their grandparents,” said Torres. Growing up, she felt robbed of the chance to integrate herself with others around her. “My father thought he was giving us a better opportunity by moving many times, but he didn’t realize he was taking away the chance for us to settle, establish a home and try to make friends,” said Torres.

When they finally settled in Eugene, they realized the diversity here was definitely a culture shock. This confirmed Torres’ ambition to avoid the cultural gap she experienced herself growing up for her children. At New Dream, Torres found that this place felt like home because she was in an environment where she still felt her own cultural background and had her own children to think about. Her children and the ethical values that the center stands for has inspired her to begin employment at New Dream.

“There are always immigrant parents who are very sheltered when they first walk through the doors of New Dream. To them, not only are they in an unfamiliar environment, but they are also protective of their child and that’s our job to help them understand this is a safe and welcomed community,” said Torres. New Dream Child Care Center strives to promote diversity in every child should they seek it. The center’s bilingual education program specializes in Spanish because they try to promote cultural competency at a young age. There are different age groups where children learn and speak Spanish to each other. “This center not only makes me feel accepted, but also promotes acceptance and diversity which has been impactful in my work for the past six years I’ve worked here at New Dream,” said Torres.