Maria Berrospe (Adult Education)
In her home country, Maria was an elementary school teacher for over 20 years. After having attended classes she became a volunteer. In 2018 she volunteered to teach Spanish Literacy to adult women who did not get the privilege to learn to read and write in their own country. Maria brings an incredible amount of skill and passion for Spanish literacy from her years of experience as an elementary school teacher. La Casa is honored to partner with women like Maria who invest in their neighbors to transform lives and our Yakima Valley.
Milly Barreto (ELC)

At La Casa, we believe that every child deserves the right to equal access to early childhood education. La Escuelita is open to children like Millie who would not otherwise have that opportunity. Her mom Rubisela Fombona has been connected to La Casa for over 10 years. Milly has been connected to La Casa since she was literally in her mother’s womb, attending classes with her mom. When Milly was finally old enough to attend La Escuelita at two years old, she quickly acclimated to the rhythm and routines of La Escuelita.
Because of La Escuelita, she was able to develop the social and emotional skills necessary to succeed in kindergarten. Milly is bright, resilient, and ready to take on the world. Fall of 2019, Milly transitioned successfully into kindergarten and her teachers at La Escuelita could not be more proud. Here is what Cecilia (ELC Program Coordinator) had to say about Milly.
“Ella hacía sentir bien a todos los que estuvieran a su alrededor y siempre decía la verdad de lo que pensaba y sentía. Recuerdo una vez que dijo; ” Okay, yo soy amiga tuya, y tuya, y tuya y tuya también, todos somos amigas, y los amigas no se pelean y no se enojan con las amigas de tus amiga, porque todas somos amigas”
Milly está lista y capacitada para navegar en el kinder sin temor. Ella está hambrienta de aprender más y de demostrarlo. Ésta es socialmente y emocionalmente competente, lo que le abre las puertas para aprender y desarrollarse académicamente.”
Ulla Witmont (Volunteer)
