Project SPELL
Young D. Yun
SENIOR CUSTODIAN AT DENEVE/DYKSTRA HOUSEKEEPING
YEARS OF SERVICE: 2, FIRST LANGUAGE: KOREAN
"Sometimes they tell me something, and I'm feeling, 'so fast, so fast, what is this? But now, it is something different. I feel I understand, my heart is more open."
Young Chan Lim ’18 had always felt pressured to assimilate into American culture after immigrating to the U.S. from South Korea in 2004. However, the process of rediscovering his Korean identity gained momentum and deeper meaning after he started tutoring Young D. Yun, a senior custodian on the De Neve/Dykstra Housekeeping team. "Simply the act of being around the Korean language helped me be comfortable with myself. Before tutoring Young, I really wasn't comfortable being called my Korean name, Young Chan, but he helped me to start embracing my Korean name. Young was easily one of the best and most memorable parts of my UCLA experience." For his part, Lim helped Yun become comfortable starting conversations and talking with students, an area which had plagued him in the past. "Sometimes they tell me something, and I'm feeling, 'so fast, so fast, what is this? But now, it is something different. I feel I understand, my heart is more open."
Daniel Ortiz
FOOD SERVICE WORKER AT BRUIN CAFE
YEARS OF SERVICE: 1, 1ST LANGUAGE: SPANISH
"I always thought I would go to college growing up, but after I had my son, it kind of took a back seat. Also, to be honest, I was a little nervous about taking that step.”
Just one year after starting his job as a food service worker at Bruin Café, 20-year-old Daniel Ortiz finds himself the recipient of a professional development scholarship from UCLA Staff Assembly and preparing to begin a degree program. He is now a student in LATTC’s Culinary Arts program and living a dream he had doubts about before beginning SPELL. His tutor, Jackie Lopez, exp. ’20, helped him build the confidence he needed to take that next step. "I always thought I would go to college growing up, but after I had my son, it kind of took a back seat. Also, to be honest, I was a little nervous about taking that step.” Lopez and Ortiz, who are the same age, were able to connect over being at similar stages in their lives and gradually became more comfortable together. Lopez encouraged Ortiz to explore his interests and take risks. "He learned a lot about grammar and writing conventions," says Lopez, a rising junior chemistry major. "But the most valuable thing he gained was confidence. With Daniel looking at options for college, he is now looking at a different future for him and his son."
Edwin Cirfuentes
BUILDING MECHANICS WORKER AT ON-CAMPUS HOUSING MAINTENANCE
YEARS OF SERVICE: 12, 1ST LANGUAGE: SPANISH
“She has charisma. She listens and thinks about how she can help. I don’t think any other place has a program like this.”
After more than a decade of working for UCLA, Edwin Cifuentes has become known around his workplace for inspiring those around him to stay positive, persevere and overcome their fear of trying new things. Cifuentes encourages people to make mistakes, as this is the best way to learn something new. His tutor, Ariana Mamnoon, exp. ’19, admires this ambition and optimism. “My learner is such a unique and dynamic individual,” says Mamnoon. “Something most people don’t know about Edwin is that he is a member of SAG-AFTRA.” Cifuentes’s first extra job was on the TV show “Sister, Sister,” and he went on to appear in films such as “The Color of Night,” “CIA 2,” and “Conehead,” among others. “I really like the atmosphere, just doing something that you’re pretending. I’ve always been acting with my daughters and friends. In Guatemala, we wrote and performed a comedy, and everyone was laughing,” says Cifuentes. After he retires from UCLA, he hopes to return to his acting career and take on more speaking parts in English. In the meantime, he is continuing to practice his pronunciation with Ariana so that he will be ready for his close-up when the time comes. “She has charisma. She listens and thinks about how she can help. I don’t think any other place has a program like this.”
Jenifer Tran Xie
FOOD SERVICE WORKER AT FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
YEARS OF SERVICE: 13, 1ST LANGUAGE: CAMBODIAN
“Even as a child, I could feel the prejudice against them whenever we went somewhere and I needed to translate for them,”
When Judy Chheoung, exp. ’20 heard about Project SPELL from her roommate and SPELL tutor Alexandra Shambayate, she immediately jumped at the opportunity to be part of something special, but didn’t know what to expect. At their first tutoring session, Chheoung immediately noticed the kindness and warmth of her learner, Jenifer Tran Xie. Chheoung was impressed that Tran Xie maintained her positive attitude despite having endured so much adversity and change. Throughout her childhood, Tran Xie was forced to move several times around Asia, learning many new languages and lacking consistency and stability. Chheoung, who grew up translating Khmer and English for her mother and grandmother, related to many of Tran Xie’s struggles. “Even as a child, I could feel the prejudice against them whenever we went somewhere and I needed to translate for them,” says Chheoung. “Eventually, my mom learned English, but my grandma still only knew a few phrases.” Knowing she is helping Tran Xie gain the skills she needs to navigate her daily life and speak with confidence – the same skills she helped her parents gain – has been one of Chheoung’s most memorable experiences at UCLA.
Alejandro Juarez
GROUNDSKEEPER AT ON-CAMPUS HOUSING MAINTENANCE
YEARS OF SERVICE: 2, 1ST LANGUAGE: SPANISH
“His desire to learn is focused on being able to meet new people, hear their stories and tell his own.”
On his days off, you can find Alejandro Juarez at the skate park with his two sons, ages 9 and 11. Skating together is an important bonding activity for the Juarez’s family, and has also provided some unexpected opportunities to practice his English. Socializing with other families at the park in English has helped him overcome shyness and gain exposure to a wealth of new words and phrases. His tutor, Raven Dean, exp. ’19, is proud of the risks he takes in his pursuit of a more fluent, natural speech. “His desire to learn is focused on being able to meet new people, hear their stories and tell his own.” Learning English with Dean has been a transformative experience for Juarez, who is now more connected than ever to his community.
Wilber Cornejo
SENIOR CUSTODIAN AT FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
1ST LANGUAGE: SPANISH
“Wilbur and I would try to include references to rock music and rock bands - either about lyrics, attending concerts with friends, or making conversation with strangers about their music tastes,”
A child to first generation immigrant parents, William Plata-Cortez, exp. ’19 knows firsthand the sense of belonging gained from being able to communicate with those around you. He hoped to help his learner, Wilber Cornejo, feel as much a part of his workplace and community as possible. He also hoped to do this in a creative, innovative way. After a few tutoring sessions, Plata-Cortez learned of Cornejo’s love of rock n’ roll music. “Wilbur and I would try to include references to rock music and rock bands - either about lyrics, attending concerts with friends, or making conversation with strangers about their music tastes,” says Plata-Cortez. Cornejo enjoys learning English through an avenue he is passionate about and as Plata-Cortez puts it, “It was an effective and relatable way to help him improve his English.”
Vilma Cristales
SENIOR CUSTODIAN AT DENEVE/DYKSTRA HOUSEKEEPING
YEARS OF SERVICE: 8, 1ST LANGUAGE: SPANISH
“I want to do something more in my life, not just stay in the same job. I want to learn so I can challenge myself and get new opportunities.”
Before joining Project SPELL as a tutor, Terri Shi, exp. ’20 ran into Vilma Cristales at an elevator in Dykstra Hall. Cristales greeted Shi warmly and wished her a great day. Though a small gesture, Shi felt uplifted by the short conversation. This memory stayed with Shi, who was pleasantly surprised to meet Cristales and remind her of their first encounter. She continues to be proud of how easily Cristales starts conversations and brings a sense of community to those around her. “Her compassion towards people and eagerness to learn and help are unique qualities of hers, and I’m glad to have been able to be her tutor this year,” says Shi. Cristales hopes to advance in her career through improving her English. “I love to learn, but I never had the opportunity in my life to pursue this”, she says. “I want to do something more in my life, not just stay in the same job. I want to learn so I can challenge myself and get new opportunities.” Through working with Shi, Cristales has finally been given this chance.
Canuto Penaloza
ASSISTANT COOK AT RENDEZVOUS DINING
YEARS OF SERVICE: 3, 1ST LANGUAGE: SPANISH
“Growing up in an immigrant household, I became aware of the language barrier many families face. Being a non-native English speaker allows me to connect to my learner because I first-handedly know that learning another language takes time and patience,”
“Que pena!” Canuto Penaloza was expressing his regret over not having learned more English over the years. With seven children, supporting his family was always Penaloza’s priority, but it meant spending time working rather than studying. Although he was shy and hesitant to speak in English at first, he is beginning to come out of his shell and take more risks. Working with his tutor, Silvia Gomez Estrada, exp. ’19 helped Penaloza be more confident and embrace the language learning process. Gomez Estrada relates to Penaloza’s language learning struggles. “Growing up in an immigrant household, I became aware of the language barrier many families face. Being a non-native English speaker allows me to connect to my learner because I know first-hand that learning another language takes time and patience,” she says. Penaloza, an enthusiastic traveler who has backpacked around Latin America with his wife, is looking forward to using his new skills both at work and on his next journey.