Meet Vero: HOLA’s Parent & Community Resource Director

Veronica Matos, or Vero to those who know her, has been working at HOLA for the past five years and has been in her current position for two years.

“How do you describe what you do?”

I bridge the gap between the educational and cultural world the HOLA kids are living in and what their parents know or are aware of.

“How do you do that?”

In a variety of ways: I provide workshops on different topics or issues of concern to the parents. During the past year we have held workshops on topics ranging from parenting/discipline issues, school choices and health issues and resources. I also connect our families to community resources and I often work one-on-one with our parents when they have specific issues.

“Wow, this seems really cool.”

I have to agree with you. I have been working in the non-profit arena for many years and this is the first organization I have worked at that provides anything close to these resources for our community.

I just want to share with you the words of the grandmother of an HOLA student as she fights back tears:

I would like to make a comment about the interaction with the parents. Honestly, it is truly surprising to me how…the humanity that I feel. I have gone through quite a few difficult problems this year and you have been there. Sometimes I have come here very sad and I have always found a caring word and it makes me feel very happy and I say, thanks for those and thanks for finding this program.