Labouré ESOL Student Council Fosters Leadership, Advocacy, and Greater Learning

From celebrating fellow students to launching new events to serving as a bridge between the classroom and program staff, the student councils for Catholic Charities Boston’s Labouré Center’s Adult Education program work to enhance the overall learning experience for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students, teachers, and staff alike. 

“This student council is very special,” said Genesis Cepeda, president of the morning student council. “I like to take action anywhere that I am and do things to help make things better.” 

Having a Labouré student council was the brainchild of Manny Reynoso, Associate Director of Youth Services & Adult Education. Ten students comprise two councils, one for morning classes and the other for evening classes. Each councilor, selected by their classmates, represents the five classroom levels. Labouré Student Support Counselors Mayra Diaz and Edith Castillo serve as the student council facilitators. 

“What I wanted to give the students through this initiative was a civic and leadership opportunity, both through learning and teaching,” explained Reynoso. “The students are learning about the importance of everyone’s voice being heard and going back to their classmates for feedback.” 

The student councils meet once a month, and together they have supported numerous initiatives and programs, including creating a space at Labouré to celebrate the student of the month, giving out presents to children in Labouré’s Child Care Center in honor of Three Kings Day, and spearheading a cultural fair featuring different student-created exhibits and performances. 

The councils have also taken on the role of liaison between students and Adult Education staff. Councilors not only bring classmates’ ideas and questions to staff, but they also help explain to students the reasoning for staff decisions. 

“The student council has been a very good experience, being able to be the voice of the students and to share their thoughts with the staff,” said Marianne St Vil, who serves on the evening student council. “It has made us closer to the students and the staff. And it helps us be even more proud of the Labouré Center Community.” 

Reynoso said councilors have become leaders in their classrooms as well, reaching out to fellow students who may be dealing with class tardiness or falling behind with lessons. 

“Serving as that peer liaison has helped a lot and reminds the students of why they are here,” Reynoso added. “A lot of what the student councils do is community building and creating a safe space for all the students.”