The Hurtado Center

A Community Outreach Program of Jesuit High School

Since 2001, Jesuit High School has been home to an adult education program for people who want to learn English. The Alberto Hurtado, S.J. Center for Learning focuses on adult and youth English language acquisition, U.S. citizenship test preparation, computer literacy, and youth mentoring. Approximately 150 people from the surrounding Washington County area participate in evening ELL classes each year. Students are first assessed and then placed into the corresponding language level class. Classes are twice weekly for a 10-week term, with each class lasting two hours.

In addition to our adult programs, we have a Homework/Mentor component for the children of the Hurtado Center’s students. Family commitments in the evenings often prevent people from taking ELL classes, and it is our hope that providing this support will invite and encourage more members of the community to participate in the center. The Homework/Mentor component will be a time for the Jesuit High School students to provide tutoring assistance and mentoring to elementary and middle school children of the center’s students.

The Hurtado Center is organized and directed by Ms. Chely Castillo. While Chely is present at the evening sessions, the classes themselves are taught and tutored by volunteers. Chely conducts orientation and training sessions for all volunteers regarding teaching methods for working with English language learners.

Get Involved!

The success of this program is directly dependent upon volunteer support. Many community members have generously and selflessly donated their time and knowledge to the Hurtado Center, and we are truly thankful for them. But we are always looking for new people to be involved! We extend the invitation to be a part of the Hurtado Center to faculty, spouses, partners, parents, alumni, and other beloved members of the Jesuit community.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call Ms. Chely Castillo at 503-267-7993 or the Arrupe Center for Justice at 503-291-5496.

Students, please sign up to volunteer using this 2023-24 Hurtado Center Sign-Up Link

 

Here’s how you can be involved: