Kiwanis aids local in career change

If you've lived in Sisters for the last six or so years, chances are you've met or seen Carlos Guzman-McFadden in one of his roles in the community.

He has been a paraprofessional in the Sisters School District and earned his teacher certification in the English Language Learner program, along with a bachelor's and a master's degree in fine arts. He has been a volunteer and paid translator and perhaps best known for helping members of the local Hispanic community apply for and receive health and social services.

Currently, however, due to a shrunken school budget and soured economy, Carlos can be found most days behind the meat counter at Ray's Food Place giving advice and suggestions on the best products available for the day. At the age of 59, Carlos is one of those folks in Sisters whom the economy has taught a hard lesson: you have to adapt to survive. Coming to this realization with help from his pastor, Carlos sought to start a new career in an area he once pursued as a young adult while living in Puerto Rico - truck driving.

Putting his plan into action, Carlos went to Kiwanis about two months ago with an application for the opportunity fund. In his plan, he outlined how he would be able to earn his trucking license with the club's financial support. At the Kiwanis meeting last week, Carlos got a chance to thank the club for the $3,500 he received to be applied to his tuition. Members of the club were thrilled to help Carlos and his family stay in Sisters and continue to contribute to the community.

Kiwanis Career Opportunity Fund provides assistance to start, augment or complete a career that may include (but is not limited to) vocational, technical, artistic, or general fields of study. Since its inception, the fund has provided over $25,000 in assistance to help 16 Sisters-area folks reach their dreams.

The fund is available to qualified residents of the Sisters School District. Applications are available on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kiwanis House (corner of Main Avenue and Oak Street); from the Sisters Habitat for Humanity office; Family Access Network or by calling 541-410-2870. To donate to the Career Opportunity Fund, make checks payable to Sisters Kiwanis with the phrase "COF" in the memo, c/o Sisters Kiwanis, P.O. Box 1296, Sisters, OR, 97759.