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This is Chris Redgrave for Zions Bank Speaking on Business.
Father Jerald Merrill wanted a gathering place for his community 47 years ago, and now the Guadalupe School, through generous donations, is getting ready to break ground on a brand new 50,000 square foot building.
The people who lead out at the Guadalupe School see challenges and are addressing them. Vicki Mori, director of the Guadalupe School, said years ago they discovered a transportation problem and now they have three buses to get the kids to school. The adult English language program gives parents who want to learn English the chance to do so, through the support of the 160 volunteers who teach in the evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. In addition, the center also has programs that cover in-home, adult education and progressive preschool, which helps prepare almost 75 young learners, 1 to 4 years old, who face poverty challenges with their families.
You only need to meet the new principal, Ernie Nix, to see his passion for the mission of Guadalupe School and the kids. With his educational background and personal experience living on the West side, his vision is to give his kids hope to get the best possible education and go to college. He is guided by the examples of Abraham Lincoln, Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. Ernie has a strong sense of moral obligation to save lives by breaking the cycle of poverty with education.
The Guadalupe School is serving the folks who need it most with 94 percent minority, 64 percent English learners and 3 to 4 percent homeless. Once again, Utah demonstrates generosity and responsibility to our diverse community as we support cultural integration.
For Zions Bank, I'm Chris Redgrave, speaking on business.
Guadalupe School 340 Goshen St. Salt Lake City, UT 84104 801-531-6100 www.guadalupeschoolsslc.com
