In Illinois Valley, Sara Escatel, Director of Adult Education at Illinois Valley Community College, is making significant strides in helping immigrants find their place in the community. A daughter of Mexican immigrants, Escatel understands the challenges faced by newcomers. She focuses on providing educational resources and emphasizes the importance of maintaining cultural identity. Her work is not just about language and job skills; it’s about creating a welcoming atmosphere where Hispanic families can thrive while contributing to the local culture and economy. Escatel’s initiatives illustrate a commitment to inclusivity and support that resonates deeply within Illinois Valley.
Escatel didn’t receive bilingual assistance until fifth grade, but by then she didn’t need it. “I went there because it was a social hour for me, and I could help other students.” She loved the school’s single Hispanic aide. “She spoke the language, and I related so well to her!”
That fifth-grade experience gave Escatel a blueprint for her future. “I never saw people like me,” she recalled. “Without that, you feel like you don’t belong.” Helping immigrants feel at home and integrate productively into local society became her life’s mission, and she became a leading advocate in the Illinois Valley.
She is Illinois Valley Community College’s Director of Adult Education, and she has helped create or worked through the Illinois Valley Hispanic Partnership Council and the Valley Immigrant Advocates (VIA).
“The Council is an awareness piece, and the VIA is a legal piece. The Council brings cultural activities and provides scholarships. In the VIA, I know how to get access to services for immigration status, legal help, housing, basic needs, employment, or medical help.”