Alejandra Munoz Contreras

I am Alejandra, Student Services & Office Coordinator in Literacy Network my responsibility is to provide the public with information about the English classes we offer in our organization, also in case you have other questions we try to refer them to the corresponding organizations. I have worked in Literacy network for almost 4 years and what has driven me to stay here is because I like to help people and my community in what I can

Get to know Alejandra better

How did you come to work at your current organization?

I started as a student with them, then a person who works Literacy network offered me to apply for the part-time position they were offering and explained what the position was about and encouraged me to apply and get the job and now I work full time here.

Why is the work that you do important to the Madison community? Why is it important for you?

Our job is to help the people of Madison and the surrounding area to learn English as it is a basic need in our community to be able to get around and communicate in this country. For me it is important to help, because I, like many people, have to face many obstacles mainly with the language and I had to learn to get ahead and get involved in the community so I understand some people’s needs, it is difficult to learn a new language and new customs in a country that is not ours but with dedication it is possible to get ahead.

What is your vision for Madison?

My vision for Madison is to see it a more united city, helping people when we can, regardless of race, religion, status or language, because together we can do more in our community if we all support each other.

When you look back over your whole life – What experiences have shaped you as a woman? and Why?

One of the most important I think has been my study in learning the language since it is not easy for someone new in this country to learn the language and customs I know it is not impossible but everything takes time to learn something else that helped me is that Thanks to my work I was able to practice the language and this allowed me to be able to get ahead as a woman, mother, and student and be able to develop and be more independent in this country.

What are some of your practices of resilience? Who did you learn this from and how are these helpful in times of challenge?

I think I have learned from all my friends, colleagues and family to get ahead because I have learned that we all have our problems some bigger than others but that most have a solution if you have patience they say in my country: everything has a solution except the death. Another thing that I learned is that people are like the songs there are of different genres so people are different and to understand them to know how to treat them and know how to listen depending on how they are so you can understand the personalities of the people and you can get easier with the people

What are some of the things you enjoy the most in life? What keeps you inspired, re-charged and brings you joy?

What I enjoy most is helping people when they can do it is a feeling of joy when someone says “Thank you” for something you do from the heart and for help they say help without looking at who and it’s nice to do it. Another thing that inspires me is my family my children since I am an example to follow and I would like that one day they will also help without expecting anything in return. So when I can give help I do it from my heart because maybe one day I will be the one who needed help too .. help me that I will help you.

When you think of your life journey unfolding, Who do you see yourself becoming?

The trip of my life would be anywhere, I think that where I could grow mentally, spiritually and professional as a person in my work and community too, to be able to understand people and deal with them when necessary without any conflict and to be able to provide more help whenever necessary. My experience at Amplify has helped me to meet other organizations with different purposes but the same goal to help the community, so it helped me to know more organizations like mine and know that there are more places like where I work to help people around the world.