By Carolyn Boggot

American Association of University Women

Gema Alvarado-Guerrero is one of Austin’s outstanding women leaders.

Currently she is the executive director of the Parenting Resource Center (PRC), a little-known Austin treasure that many towns would envy having in their community.  Starting in this job in October of 2016, Gema now administers the staff and 14 projects of the PRC.  This small but powerful agency owns and operates Catherwood Home Child Care with 24-hour childcare, responding to the need for childcare for those working non-standard hours. Another of Gema’s responsibilities is administering the Michael H. Siebel Family Visitation and Exchange Center, which facilitates the exchange and visitation by and between custodial and non-custodial parents while monitoring and maintaining safety for all participants.  This facility is used by families from far and near, often at the recommendation of the court system.

Gema started working for the PRC in 2013 as a parent educator.  She taught parenting classes to those serving time in jail, to parents struggling to align the interactions of families from diverse cultures with expectations of American culture, and to parents at the Work Force Center in Mower and Freeborn counties.

When asked what brought her to this work, she sites her childhood in poverty. After many moves in the western part of the country, as well as a time returning to Mexico to try to find work there, her family came to Austin with only $300.

She watched her parents struggle to provide financially for their family, as well as to give their children security and discipline.  Since she has a personal understanding of the problems of poverty and living in a new culture, Gema wants to give back to the community that sustained her.  She recalls a special teacher in second and third grade who was so helpful to her, especially when her father died.  She also gives much credit for the person she has become to her mother, who was always available to talk and to go to church with her, despite working full time.

Gema has worked as an “on call” interpreter for the school district since 2011. She also worked for a year as a success coach at Banfield Elementary School. These were roles that also let “help parents help children.”  She found the job at Banfield “too routine.”  She explained that she thrives best when every day is different.

Gema is very proud that the PRC, under her guidance, has been awarded a $25,000 grant for working with recently arrived Karen and Karenni families, including hiring a person with appropriate language skills to help them adjust to life here.

Gema is married and has two sons.  She works hard to balance family life with work. She admires the cultural value of spending quality family time that is a part of her Mexican heritage.

When asked for her words of advice she said “Embrace your ethnicity” and “Choose friends who will make you a better person.”

Austin is very lucky to have this fine young leader contributing to our community!

Thank you for all you do, Gema Alvarado-Guerrero!

Austin Branch of AAUW meets the second Tuesday of the month except for June, July, and August. For specifics on meeting times and places and membership information, contact either program co-chair, Sue Grove sue.grove@riverland.edu or Marijo Alexander marijo.alexander@riverland.edu.