Diego, Paola and Kastery Barrera: A Son, Daughter, and Mother on an Educational Journey at the Y
Diego Rosario Barrera and his sister Paola are focused on their educational success, taking advantage of all the Y offers in support of their goals.
Diego (13) is an eighth-grade student who loves history and shares that he may want to study History or Business in college. Paola (12) is a seventh-grade student who loves English Language Arts classes.
Diego is in the Y’s Adelante program to develop eighth graders into stronger students. Through the Adelante program, Diego has toured several of the region’s top private schools and is working on applications with the Y’s support.
Diego also participated in the Y’s Summer Connect. “I loved touring Merrimack College. We also have college students and teachers from Merrimack College come to the Y to teach us. I enjoyed their talk about climate change,” he said. Diego’s favorite YMCA program is the CORE 4 Youth Leadership Summit. “I loved it,” Diego said. “The students and teachers were super nice. Everyone was so welcoming. I did paddle boarding and ziplining for the first time. The zip line was really high! But I did it.”
Diego is also a volunteer. He helps at the Methuen Y with the Mobile Food Market and at the Lawrence Y’s food pantry, packing bags and distributing groceries to those in need.
Paola loves YMCA camp. She’s attended Camp Otter and spent three days at Camp Lawrence overnight camp as part of the Y’s partnership with Esperanza Academy. “Our whole school gets to go in September when we move up to a new grade,” she said. “The Y is a very fun place and you get to do a lot of activities you never thought to do before.”
Diego and Paola’s mother Kastery Barrera works at the Lawrence Y as a Welcome Center Representative. “I am so proud of my kids,” Kastery said. “They have had many opportunities to prepare for a good life. They are getting ready for high school and have learned a lot through YMCA programs.”
While taking English classes at the International Institute in Lawrence, Kastery learned about the Y’s food pantry. When she stopped by to pick up groceries, she learned that the Y was hiring. “Working at the Y has helped me improve my English. Working here is a good place to work and help people. People here are always ready to help anyone,” she said.
Kastery and her children feel a strong connection to the Y. “The Y feels like family.” Kastery added, “This is my dream come true. I work here and my kids are learning here.” Kastery has been a valued member of the Y staff team for two years.
