"Hispanics find open door: church's ministry offers information and services to growing community"

By Josh Duke

Indianpolis Star

March 24, 2007

When Maria Rivera arrived in the United States six years ago from Mexico, she wanted to provide a better life for herself and her family.

Rivera -- then 16 and unable to speak English -- knew it wouldn't be easy. She worked 10-hour days and spent eight more hours at high school, but struggled with basic necessities until she learned about a Hispanic outreach ministry at John Knox Presbyterian Church near Speedway.

"I believe God is a big person in their heart," Rivera said about the program's staff and volunteers. "It is so hard to come from another country. They don't have to help the people in my community, but they do, and it is so good."

Fabio Socarraz, with the help of 68 Presbyterian churches from Fort Wayne to Indianapolis, started the ministry five years ago after noticing more Hispanics moving into the area.

Socarraz, who was born in Cuba and moved to the United States at age 9, experienced firsthand the difficulties of adjusting to a foreign land. He felt the ministry was his calling, and with support of the Presbyterian churches he quit his warehousing job and began the ministry full time at John Knox.

The outreach offers the large Hispanic population near the church dental care, legal assistance, tutoring for children, leadership development and other benefits. "It is not just about handing out the services, but making them responsible for where they are at and what they are doing," Socarraz said. "They are just looking to provide a better way of life for their families. It feels good to help, to see a smile or hear their gratitude.

"If we all did more things like this, not just for Hispanics but anyone, this world would be a better place."

Lawyers offer the legal services at no charge, while dentists ask for a small fee and donate it back to the ministry. Tutors volunteer in a partnership with School 96 in Indianapolis Public Schools

Deidre Knop, a social worker at School 96, said IPS would have a difficult time meeting the needs of its large Hispanic population without programs like the one at John Knox. She said the biggest benefit for the school and their families is the networking opportunities.

"His focus is to make a connection with the families and provide a place they can go and feel comfortable," Knop said.

Rivera, now 22, has utilized the dental services after struggling to get good health insurance. She said in its first five years the program has earned the reputation of being a friend to her community.

Rivera volunteers as a counselor at the ministry's summer camp at Bradford Woods and hopes to one day give back like Socarraz has after finishing college at Ivy Tech.

"I came (to the U.S.) because I want to be someone in life," Rivera said. "I want to do something important. I couldn't have done that without Fabio and this ministry."