ESL on the Backstretch

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Latino Community Advocacy Program (LCAP) is an initiative created by Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council (EOC) in 2007. It provides members of the Spanish-speaking immigrant population in our community with much needed services and support, including education, translation and interpretation, performing tax services, and facilitating access to medical, legal and educational services. One of these educational services is the yearly English as a Second Language (ESL) training that takes place on the backstretch at Saratoga racetrack for any workers interested in learning how to speak English. Classes start up in May, when workers first arrive in the area, and they continue throughout the Meet and on into November. The classes take place in the backstretch recreation hall during the early part of the Spring and then move outdoors to a large tent adjacent to it. The staff consists of four bilingual volunteer teachers and advocates from the EOC. Classes are held twice a week and last approximately two hours. One of the EOC advocates, Joan Odess, talked about the commitment the workers/students make when they sign up for ESL classes, noting that they often work at least one other job, in addition to their jobs at the track. For people who rise every morning between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. to work with the horses and then go on to work at their second jobs as dishwashers or valets, making time to learn English can often be very challenging. However, each year about 40 people sign up for the classes. They range from beginner to advanced and they are broken down into smaller groups to receive training based on their level of fluency. “For lots of these people, studying is a hurdle,” said Odess. “Many of them have never attended school beyond the sixth grade level, and they have never had an opportunity to develop the same kinds of study skills that we take for granted,” she added. The students are rightfully proud of their achievement and grateful for the opportunity. Juan Jose Gonzalez Valdez talked about how costly it is to take classes in his native Mexico, and he said that being able to understand and speak English helps him understand what his trainer wants him to do. He also said that it would help him with future work. Marco Antonio Perez from Mexico and Giovani Quinillo from Guatemala are both first-time track workers who have also been unable to learn English in their own countries. They see this as a great opportunity for them and they plan to continue their studies when they return next year. For Julio Cesar Castro, this is his third year attending classes. He works at the track as a groom. According to Ana Gomez, another EOC Advocate, teacher and a graduate of ESL, Castro is also a talented artist. Castro agreed that he loves anything related to art. He also talked about how grateful he is to the EOC volunteers. He said that he never had to feel ashamed if he made a mistake during a class, and he talked about their kindness and support. “They are great friends and great teachers, and I am so grateful to them,” Castro said in excellent English. These four young men are also participants in next week’s photographic art display and sale, “Vision,” an annual fundraising event to raise money for the EOC. At the start of each season, EOC offers a four-week photography course. Each student is given his or her own camera for use during the course and to keep at the end of the course. Photographs from the students will be on display and for sale at the Saratoga Race Course At The Rail Pavilion Tuesday, August 9, beginning at 5:30 p.m. This event is open to the public and all are encouraged to attend.