Jessica Foster
Staff WriterThere are dozens of storiesónay hundredsóin the Forest Lake Community Education department here.
There are stories of people learning to read and welcoming a brand new life. There are stories of people learning English, of people who were afraid of the water, learning to swim laps.
There are tales of people who needed help, coming back to help others who occupy the shoes they once wore. There are stories of youth finding opportunities and avoiding temptation.
Stories, quite simply, of breaking through boundaries.
This yearís theme of National Community Education Day is ìCreating a Future Without Boundaries.î
The day will be observed Thursday, Oct. 14.
Sitting around a conference table discussing their programs, staff of Forest Lake Community Education list a long list of stories. They tell their stories as if theyíre talking about their friends.
In many cases, they are talking of friends.
Tammy Dunrud of the Family Center talks about Taeko Raczkowskióa young Japanese woman who came to the Family Center with her daughter Michelle for the family literacy program.
The family literacy program is a partnership between Adult Basic Education and Early Childhood Family Education.
ìParents learn along with their children. The program is customized to meet the needs of the families based on the goals they have for themselves,î Dunrud said.
ìItís a very good program,î Taeko said. ìItís a good place to come. You get lots of help from all different areas.î
Taeko now works for the family center. Her daughter Michelle, now in seventh grade, volunteers with the literacy program.
ìI really enjoy working here,î Taeko said. ìPeople are so nice and help each other. I canít believe I work here.î
Given she once benefitted from the program, Dunrud said Taeko is better equipped to help those who use the program.
ìShe truly has a good feel for what people are going through,î Dunrud said. ìShe has a really special way of working with families.î
Sue Griffin works as aquatics supervisor at the Southwest Junior High pool.
She talks of Linda Johanssen and her fear of water. Once afraid to even enter the water, she soon learned to swim.
ìShe was so proud of herself. She could do these skills. Sheís still involved and she can swim laps,î Griffin said.
Talking of a commercial for the YMCA featuring senior citizens in the swimming pool, Griffin said the seniors who flock to her pool really know how to have a good time.
There are about 80 participants in the senior citizenís program here. At the drop-in class several come for a good time and, yes, a bit of flirting.
ìItís not only physical, itís also a social coming together,î Griffin said. ìThis has gone beyond just swimming and exercising.î
90-year-old Earl Harding used to come with his wife, Laura. Actually, Laura started coming long before Earl got out his swimming trunks. It took some convincing on her part but once Earl hit the water he loved it, Griffin said.
ìHe came and he absolutely loved it,î she said.
After the death of his wife, Earl got a new swimming partneróhis son Jim Harding.
These days, they are regulars at the pool.
Judy Preisinger works with the LINK program. Since its inception, Preisinger said people have been breaking through boundaries.
ìOur program really does serve the purpose of what our community does.
LINK assists people with disabilities in a variety of ways including activities, sign language classes, the PACER Puppet program and other initiatives.
Amy Florin is the adult enrichment and recreation coordinator. Community Education, she said, brings opportunities to all residents. From learning a new language to simply taking up a new sport or activity, there are opportunities for all.
ìWe offer a lot of different opportunities,î she said. ìSomeone might want to try something but they donít want to do a huge investment. This gives them the confidence. We offer things you canít get anywhere else,î she said.
At community education, Florin said people feel more comfortable than they might in another venue.
ìThere are some people that try something in community education and it becomes a part of their life,î Florin said.
Programs
Several programs comprise Forest Lake Community Education. Programs include Adult Basic Education, Adult Enrichment and Recreation, Aquatics, Athletics, Driverís Education, Family Center, Ice Arena, School Age Care, Senior Citizens, LINK and Youth Development.
More information
For more information about Community Education log onto www.forestlake.k12.mn.us or call 651-982-8110 or 651-982-8120.
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