Three Ysleta Community Learning Center (YCLC) adult students were selected to have their short stories published in The Change Agent, a national magazine for adult language learners published by World Ed.

YCLC adult students Efren Macias Ojeda, Carolina Salas Reyes, and Hortensia Reza responded to a call for articles on topics of Creating New Community, Access and Advocacy or Your Story Matters.

YCLC adult student Efren Macias Ojeda’s short story “Climate Refugees” is about immigrants moving to the U. S. to find a better life. An electrical engineer from Mexico, Ojeda writes about many immigrants like him move to a new country for better economic opportunities. He has completed ELL levels 1, 2, and 3 and is currently in YCLC's Internationally Trained Professionals course working to gain the English necessary to certify as an engineer in Texas. His teacher is Heidi Nava.

Student Carolina Salas Reyes wrote “Crossing the Bridge, A Mexican Family Works to Send Their Son to a U.S. School.” Reyes, who lived in Ciudad Juarez wanted her son to go to school in the U.S.  When he turned 15 years old, he started at a private school in El Paso. Ultimately, her son graduated from high school and was awarded a university scholarship. Reyes writes, “My dream finally came true when, after four difficult years, he graduated from the university.”  Reyes has completed ELL level 1 at YCLC. Her teacher is Mary Lou Boisselier.

Hortensia Reza’s article “Better Future at Home: There Are No Jobs, The Cities Are Unsafe, and the Rivers are Dry,” writes about coming to El Paso and her desires to become a part of the community. When Reza and her husband arrived two years ago, he worked as a contractor and she cleaned houses.  Reza writes, “I have my GED diploma and I study English. I want to obtain my Microsoft Office Specialist certification in the next six months, and enroll in the Quickbooks certification, because my final goal is to open a small business with my husband.” Her teacher is Heidi Nava.

The Change Agent is published 3 times a year.  Each issue focuses on a different topic relevant to the learners’ lives. The online magazine is designed for English as a Second Language (ESOL), Adult Basic Education (ABE), General Educational Development Test (GED), and adult diploma classes.

The Ysleta Community Learning Center provides classes to adults to help them gain the skills, knowledge, and certifications needed to increase their employment opportunities. YCLC offers classes for the GED, English language, and for industry certifications such as Microsoft Office Specialist, Quickbooks, Bookkeeping and CDL-B with P and S endorsements. In addition, they serve individuals with degrees from other countries to gain the English needed to enter their profession in the US. Classes are free for Texas residents who meet qualifications. Registration is on-going, call 915-434-9400 for more information.