Siomara Garcia came from rural Guatemala in 2005 with two bags and an infant son in her arms. She desperately wanted to learn English and become a part of the American Dream, but could not afford to take ESL classes or pay for childcare. One day Siomara was studying in the SF Public Library with her son when she saw one of Good Samaritan’s Promotora Public Library Outreach presentations. At Good Samaritan, Siomara discovered a wealth of programs tailored to her motherhood and her culture needs. She was able to bring baby Jose Javier into the ESL classroom, and excelled in learning English. “I met other people with children which helped me socialize more and made me feel comfortable participating in programs with my child.”

Siomara soon began to participate in other Good Samaritan’s women’s programs like Horas Felices, Aqui entre Nos, and Crianza con Cariño. She is currently attending City College and working at a leading city bank. Siomara no longer has to live in isolation, and has begun to walk the path of her own American Dream: a better life for herself and for baby Jose Javier.