Spring 2022 - Rosalie Rendu Center
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Rosalie Rendu Center ... where seeds are planted
2345 Pulgas Avenue, East Palo Alto, CA 94303
(650) 473-9522 • https://www.rosalie-rendu-center.org/
Spring 2022
Dear Friends & Supporters,
Advisory Board
Spring is in the air and some days it even feels like summer!
Sr. Trinitas Hernandez, D.C.
Founder and Executive Director I’ve often referred to the Center as a growing garden. It’s a
fitting image now more than ever. Thanks to the lifting of COVID
Sally Falkenhagen restrictions, we’re seeing all kinds of activity flourishing at the
Advisory Board Chair
Center!
Nancy Alvarez
We recently added a Spanish language citizenship class for those
Carolyn Brennan who qualify to take the U.S. Naturalization Test in their own
Sr. Fran Ciluaga, D. C. language. Held at the Center, everyone is masked, fully vaccinated, and boosted — our protocol
Jacqueline Day for all in-person classes.
Debbie Denton Since the founding of the RRC, meeting the needs of our students as they come up has been
Carrie Du Bois important to us. So here I am in the middle of a new class, “Intro to English,” every Wednesday
at 5:30. God sent the students to us and we gladly responded!
Martha Edwards
Karen Engelbart Since the lifting of restrictions, folks are coming forth, looking for ESL classes. The ones who
can be placed into one of our present classes are added to our rolls. What I am doing is more like
Jeanna Essick
“engaging with English” rather than “teaching.” It’s keeping me young and on my toes!
Sr. Paule Freeburg, D.C.
Richard Hutsell Our Language Partners have been busy reading, chatting, and making progress. The more
comfortable the students become with speaking, the more satisfying the Partnership becomes.
Maria Lozano If you have been thinking about partnering with one of our students, please feel free to come to
Sr. Estella Morales, D.C. the Center and visit with us. I’d love to introduce you to our hardworking learners.
Martha Perez This month, one of our new Language Partners enlisted her husband, a very active member of
Bill Somerville the Kiwanis Club, to see what projects they might complete for us. Well, soon our front and back
Jane Stern yards will have inviting and drought-resistant gardens. Watch for an e-News in your inbox in
late May to see the RRC’s new look!
Melanie Yunk
Maria and I are busy planning our summer program. We will have some international cooking
and exercise classes, and tips on how to speak to your doctor. These are just a few of the
workshops we plan on having during the month of July. If you, or you and a friend, have a talent,
interest, or hobby you would like to share with our students, please contact me.
In This Issue Your support has been a blessing to me, personally, and to each of our teachers and students.
• The Importance of Friendships Without your support we would not be able to serve them. Thank you so much for being a part of
in the Process of Learning the fertile garden that is the Rosalie Rendu Center.
• Project Cornerstone Partners I leave with you one last request. Please pray for the protection of our suffering brothers and
with Our Students to Share the sisters in the Ukraine and for peace in the world.
Factors that Create Thriving Happy Spring! And I hope you had a blessed Easter or Passover. The Almighty hears
Families all our requests. I ask that you and your families remain safe and healthy.
• Profile of Sister Cristina, a Model Gratefully yours,
Student
• Stanford Students Spark Love
of Reading with Tips and a Trip Sister Trinitas Hernandez, D.C., Executive Director
to Kepler’s Books
MINISTRY SERVICES OF THE DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL
The Gift of Friendship
A key factor in the joy and effectiveness of learning at the Rosalie Rendu Center
By Carrie Du Bois
Moms who partake in the education Having friends makes us happier and more caring that humans need to thrive in
and activities provided by the Rosalie successful. Friends believe in us when life. When many women first come to
Rendu Center reap many benefits, but the we lose confidence in ourselves and help the Center, they feel very much alone in
development of new friendships might be cheer us on. their communities. To be able to connect
one of the most important. instantly with other students and with our
We also improve our parenting skills when
teachers, new attendees have a reason to
we have close friends. Parenting can be
keep coming back to the Center.
Friends are a very important very challenging at times and friends can
protective factor when it comes help us navigate the stressful times when One of the biggest topics in education
raising children. The Center is a safe place currently is social emotional learning. If
to thriving in life; they also help for sharing stories and frustrations because schools only focus on academics, students
with learning new skills. it is a positive and nurturing place. don’t learn as well or feel as good about
themselves. We are very proud that the
The environment is such that our students
Rosalie Rendu Center has always made
As we all know, the past two years have can just be themselves and not feel
the social and emotional side of learning
been extremely stressful due to the judged. There is always time for sharing
a big priority. So here’s to friendship and
pandemic. Fortunately, the Center never and spirited conversation during our
all of the outstanding benefits of close
stopped working to support our program classes. The Center also builds in many
relationships with other parents.
participants. We continued to hold our opportunities for fun activities and socials.
Zoom classes and, as soon as it was safe, It is during these times that meaningful Pictured above: Families make teddy bears
we opened for in-person learning. conversations between our students take for children at the Rosalie Rendu Center,
place and close friendships are often the an activity that strengthens relationships.
Although the focus of the Center has
result. Librarians from the Redwood City Main
always been learning, the social and
emotional aspects of the program are what Friends feel happy for your success and Library assist with the fun.
help move our students forward. sad for your struggles. This is a form of
Help us find our next summer workshop!
Our student committee is collecting ideas for summer workshops to make this a fun yet productive
break from classroom ESL learning. Suggestions, so far, include dancing, cooking, and assertiveness
training!
If you have an idea, hobby, or skill that you would like to share with our students and/or their families,
please send them our way at contact@rosalie-rendu-center.org.
The first thing you notice about her is the smile!
Sister Cristina brings light into the rooms of the Rendu Cen
entered her order in Merida, Yucatan in Mexico, where she
years. She is now working with young people at St. France
Project Cornerstone Parent Education Workshop Sister Cristina
Students learned strategies that help children andAfter
youth thrivetwp years in Rome (and mastering Italian!) s
spending
By Karen Engelbart
Alto. Ever exuberant and optimistic, she began taking Engl
Center and enrolled in the citizenship class. Nervous at firs
Project Cornerstone last spring was immensely The RRC students lovedclasses,Jason
the program and Siguera,
the sayschildren
their she “…has sincebeing
every night; grown by lea
popular among the Center’s students who aspect of learning fromshe
one another. Laughter
now a more goodconversationalist,
confident role models, avid readers
but she is also
participated to learn key parental skills and and tears flowed as theyreading
shared and learnedand does
lessons themselves. The children
her homework pick up
too!”
factors that help young people succeed. from both positive and negative experiences. on that.”
Facilitated by Project Cornerstone’s Sister Christina
“It was a beautiful experience,” Claudia says in part aboutTOPICS
WORKSHOP her work: …I want to “ m
coordinator Claudia Unida Garcia, the six-week who speak
reported. “I’m just so grateful only up
they opened English,• and go family
Positive to other places in the USA
communication
workshop held in the evenings at the Center with me and with each other. Even the men!” • Parent involvement in their
focused on what parents can do to help their Oh, and also: She is nowchildren’s
a citizen school
of the
“You can have lovely parents but the children
young people grow up to be healthy, caring and • Instilling a commitment to
United States!
can still head in the wrong direction. Maybe
responsible adults. learning
it's the community or kids at school that can
• Helping children find support
Understanding that there is a measurable steer a child the wrong way. That’s why it’s
from non-parent adults such as
difference in behavior and success among important that we help parents communicate.
aunts and grandmothers
the children whose parents are engaged, the We encourage them to connect with their
• Developing positive values
mothers and fathers who attended the Project children and teenagers by really listening to
such as integrity, responsibility,
Cornerstone workshop developed a close-knit them.”
and good decision making
community.
It’s also important that parents open up about • Constructive use of time
According to Claudia, the exchange among their own challenges so their children will • Building cultural pride
parents — learning from each other what open up to them about theirs, says Claudia. • Helping young people build
works and what doesn’t — is critical. The self-esteem, a sense of purpose,
“We also talked about the importance of the
workshop is a safe place to share experiences. and a positive view of their
parents getting in the habit of reading to
future
Sister Cristina
A bright and diligent student is on her way to U.S. citizenship.
By Jane Stern
The first thing you notice about her is the Carolyn, also an Advisory Board Member,
smile! Sister Cristina brings light into the reports that Sister Cristina is so bright and
rooms of the Rosalie Rendu Center. eager to learn, she makes tutoring a delight.
From Mexico, Sister Cristina was born in Meeting every week, they often work on the
Merida, Yucatan and worked there for twenty- Sunday Liturgical reading. St. Francis of Assisi
two years. After spending two years in Rome Church congregants come from the English,
— and mastering Italian! — she was sent to Spanish, and Tongan speaking communities
East Palo Alto where she is working with of East Palo Alto. Sister Cristina uses her
young people at St. Francis of Assisi Church. English with bilingual youths in her catechism
and Bible classes.
Ever exuberant and optimistic, she began
taking English classes at the Rosalie Rendu “Life in the convent is not boring!” says Sister
Center and also enrolled in the citizenship Cristina. “I think there is no time to think
class. about this word because we are never without
something to do.”
Nervous at first, Sister Cristina has grown by
leaps-and-bounds, according to her teacher, Sister Christina also says about her work,
Jason Sugimura. “I want to make Jesus known to people who
speak only English, and go to other places in
“Not only is she now a more confident
the USA to continue to evangelize.”
conversationalist,” Jason reports, “but she
is also fully engaged in writing and reading Oh, and also: Sister Cristina has passed the
lessons; and she does her homework, too!” citizenship test and is now on her way to
become a citizen of the United States!
Her Language Partner, Carolyn Brennan, is
equally impressed.Stanford Students
Thank You! Instill Love of Books
Thank you to our friends who supported us from April 1, 2021 through March 1, 2022.
Our apologies if we have missed anyone. Please let us know if we missed your name inadvertently. with Reading Tips
Cris Adair Karen O'Leary Chuck and Aaron Chris and Naomi and a Trip to Kepler's
Lucie Marie and Keith Engelbart Jones Peters
Albee Sara Englis Fr. Luigi Juárez Beatrice Peterson By Sally Falkenhagen
Adesola Amos Robert English and Sr. Margaret Keaveney Philanthropic Ventures The Center is fortunate to have had
John and Marlene Anna Zara DC Foundation
seven Stanford students working
Arnold Alain and Rosemary David and Maureen Michael and Lynn with us again during winter quarter.
Susan A. Barkan Enthoven Kennedy Pierce
Enrolled in the Cardinal Course
Mary Bartolucci John and Kristine Patty Kenney Jonathan Poe and “The Well-being of Immigrant
Erving Dr. Chang Tony Kim Anne Vitullo
Duane Bay and Children and Youth,” students from
Barbara Noparstak Ray and Jeanna Essick Daniel and Beatrice Glenn Proctor and Stanford have worked on a wide
Cynthia Estrada Kleppner Carrie Drake
Cynthia Beeger variety of projects with our students
Facebook Local William and Donna Purcell Family Fund
Jan Bergman over the years.
Community Fund Krepick Ricardo and
Carolyn Brennan Guillermina Ramos The Center began partnering with
Craig and Sally Mildred Lee
John and Eileen Falkenhagen Shirely Riggio Stanford Professor Amado Padilla in
Brennan Suzanne Legallet
Margaret Feuer David and Sue Riggs the spring of 2016. Cardinal Courses
Michael Burke and Joan L'Heureux
are one of the service pathways
Michelle Scoville Bret and Caitie Field Ron and Marilyn Long Carl and Sarah
Rosendahl offered to students by the Haas
Nancy Carragee Gregory and Penny Maldonado General Center of Public Service.
Gallo Contractor Inc. Melvin and Lois Ann
Victor and Barbara Russi
Carranza The Carl Gellert & Grace Mao Three of the Stanford students this
Celia Berta Gellert John and Kathy winter served as Language Partners
Jennifer Castello Foundation Catherine Mariani Schniedwind providing English conversation
Colin and Kathleen Albert and Barbara Perry Marlon Phillip L. Sheridan opportunities.
Cho Gelpi Dan and Ana Marshall Silicon Valley
Sr. Fran Ciluaga DC Virginia Glockner Sr. Gilbert Martin DC Community After meeting and conversing with
Walter and Anne Clark Foundation the Center’s students about their own
Paul Goldstein and Dennis McBride
Betty Clasey Diane Guinta Deborah Skidmore childhood memories related to books
Lucy McCrary
Franklin and Yalile Bill Somerville and reading, and their children’s
Jody Clasey Patrick and Nancy
Gonzalez attitudes and habits, two Stanford
Father Gerald McGaraghan William and Jane
Coleman Barry and Claire Goss Stocklin students developed a top 10 tip sheet
Annie Melikian
to encourage reading. They also led a
Robert Cook Robert Grassilli Jon and Danielle Debra Strichartz
workshop on family literacy.
Frederique Dame Peter and Ann Gregory Mewes Carol Tanner
Jerry and Gina Darcy Nicolas and Amika Loretta Mingram Tom and Lisa Tayeri One of the Stanford students’ parents,
Daughters of Charity Guillaume Mark and Elizabeth Sr. Ellen Van Zandt Pamela and David Hornik, generously
Foundation Wendy Haesemeyer Moragne DC donated funds for a shopping trip to
Jeanne DeBagneux Irene Haggerty Terri Muschott Frank and Marian Kepler’s Books in Menlo Park. The
Verlot Center’s students selected books for
Bruce Delagi Connie Hamaguchi Cecile O'Driscoll
Visitacion School – their children and themselves.
De Marillac Academy Richard and Susan John Orcutt and
– Grace Osborne Hancey Martha Edwards Sr. Christena Papavero
It was the first time one of our
Emily Denton Eunice Hawran Franklin & Susan Orr Randall and students had ever been in a
Alexandra Von Feldt
Paul and Deborah Father George Hazler Shafic Oueini and bookstore. She reported “the store
Denton Claire Quesnel Richard and Karen filled with books was so beautiful!”
Stephen Henry Walker
John and Sandra David Hernandez and Thad and Mimi Padua
Catherine Wolff Two Stanford students researched
Dhuey Susan Ward Palo Alto
Amy Wright the topic of student attendance and
Michael Disabato and James Holmlund and Community Fund
Melanie Yunk
retention. They also developed a
Nancy Ponstein Nancy McClenny Palo Alto Weekly student survey, in collaboration with
Gary and Lani Dorff David and Pamela Marc and Ragni the RRC’s Student Committee, that
Grant and Carrie Hornik Pasturel will help guide
Du Bois Richard and Barbara Nicholas and Carmen the planning
Sr. William Eileen Hutsell Pekelsma
for next year’s
Dunn DC Delia Itanen Irene Pepper programming.
Rosalie Rendu Inc./DBA the Rosalie Rendu Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Corporation. The taxpayer identification number is 95-4709944.You can also read
