Sister Mary Jude
Grow Windham cordially welcomes the Director of the Apostolado Hispano Diocesano, Sister Mary Jude Lazarus, SCMS. Sister Mary Jude has consecrated her life with a total gift to God in her mission as a religious person. Her Christian vocation has been profound, and she has invited us to believe in God and to discover our gifts from God. Sister Mary Jude serves the Hispanic community in multiple ways according to the times, places and forms to help others. She has contributed over time to the improvement of out Christian community. She strives for us to live with dignity, freedom, and solidarity through her profound spirit of love for each family to be happy with faith and the love of God. To walk together with Jesus and with the responsibility inside and outside of the church. –Aida Alavez
Vania Galicia-Bacilio
The first time I met Vania was in 2015, she was a guest at our youth program, working in the garden at Lauter Park. I was struck – by her warmth and composure, and how naturally she gained the respect and trust of those around her. Vania rapidly grew as a leader in the Windham Youth CORE, helping to guide the development of the program, and ultimately winning second prize in a national youth leaders competition. Since then she has become an activist in our community, organizing youth and adults in support of immigrant rights. As if that weren’t enough, she also managed to win a full scholarship to ECSU, where she has just completed her first year. Vania is a true leader – she is dedicated and compassionate, inspires by her example, and holds the community in the center of everything she does. Thank you, Vania – it’s an honor to learn from you. — Sally Milius
Ilda Ray
Ilda Ray has been volunteering at Windham Schools for many years. She went through different trainings with the Family Liaisons – including Common Sense Parenting, People Empowering People, and Parents Supporting Educational Excellence. She has served on PTOs, School Governing Councils and the Parent Community University Advisory Team. She is a major fundraiser for the Windham Schools especially with her success in bringing the Harlem Wizards to Windham Public Schools over consecutive years. Just recently she was elected to, and has been actively serving on the Windham Public Schools Board of Education. In addition she is the newly appointed Chair of the Board Of Education Policy Committee. –Bill Stover
Rose Laurie Field-Santiago
“It’s all about the kids!” “The kids, the families, the community!” These words are what you frequently hear from Laurie Rose as she talks about her involvement through the Healing Community Church where for many years she has been the leader of the Youth Warriors group. Laurie Rose gives herself wholeheartedly as she both guides and is guided by the young people she spends time with. Together they have fund-raised and worked hard to provide community service at the Covenant Soup Kitchen, No Freeze Shelter, Special Olympics Swim Meets, Family and Community Expo, leading their own youth church services, and are always looking for ways to give back to their community. Laurie Rose knows how to draw upon multiple resources to aid youth in finding ways to further their education as well as assisting them with their technology needs. She has an abundance of positive energy and big heart to match. The community is all the better for her many contributions! –Karen Ravenelle-Bloom
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