The first graduating class of the “Civics Education: Building Effective Communities” program, or CEBEC, walked across the Student Center stage last Wednesday night to receive certificates for completing the program.

Thirty-eight students made up the class that began in the fall of 2000.

Created by Cerritos College’s Adult Education and Diversity Programs Department, CEBEC is a pilot program that has been put into effect as a way for members of the surrounding immigrant community to better transition into mainstream American society.

This is achieved by attending a series of workshops that include such topics as, civics participation, financial planning, building of self-esteem, and developing a positive attitude.

Bell resident, and CEBEC student Alberta Roacho said that after taking some of the program’s workshops, people’s self-esteem shoots way up.

People who participate in CEBEC are generally immigrants from Latin American countries, who have not yet gotten a very good command of English, and as a result, are hesitant to get involved in matters that concern their communities.

This program strives to give them the confidence and the tools to become active in their communities . . . to become leaders in their communities.

In a video about CEBEC, that was shown at the ceremony, Graciella Velasquez, the director of adult education said that the program was something her organization saw a need for.

Rather than hold all the workshops on the Cerritos College campus, CEBEC sends instructors, members of the community, church members, and council members to various locations out in the surrounding communities to make it easier for people to attend, who otherwise might have too much going on in their lives to be able to make it to the campus.

The requirements for completing the program include attending a series of workshops, regularly meeting with a CEBEC counselor, and pursuing an educational experience related to their community.

During the ceremony, Velas-quez related a story about one particular scholar in the program, who for one of his program projects had to go to Long Beach City Hall to obtain community service information. She said that he had lived in Long Beach for 19 years, and had never set foot in city hall, but after taking CEBEC workshops, he had developed the confidence to go in and get all kinds of information.

There were some very excited people at the graduation ceremony, who felt like they have been given the key to a better future in their adopted home-land.

Roacho’s husband, Guiermo said, “This program has converted people in my community into true leaders. [Before CEBEC], people didn’t speak any English, and wouldn’t try anything, but this workshop has changed things for them.”

The couple, originally from Colima, Mexico has been in the United States for approximately 12 years. They have an American born daughter who speaks English as well as any other eight-year-old American.

The Roachos struggle with the English language, but CEBEC has given them the confidence to practice it in public.

Roacho said, “My daughter likes it when I try to speak the language.”

The CEBEC program is quickly becoming known throughout Spanish speaking communities, with various Spanish language newspapers, as well as television programs following its progress.

CEBEC graduate, Napolean Palacios said he found out about the program through a Spanish language community newspaper.

Palacio is very excited about the program. He said, “When I discovered it was something to help build up our communities, I was interested, and I got involved like a storm. And now it’s impossible to stop me because I have to do things for my community.” The entire ceremony was conducted in English as well as Spanish.