Paty Mateo-Ventura

To give in honor of Paty, click here.

An energetic mother of 4 boys, Paty is without a doubt one of the most gregarious and involved members of Centro Hispano’s extended family—a go-getter through and through. Originally from Mexico, she has been living in the U.S. for 17 years. Her husband had a sister here, and they wanted the opportunity to live near relatives and create a better life for their future family. A veteran of ESL and women’s health classes, Paty first discovered Centro 7 years ago when she needed help navigating important paperwork.

She learned about Centro’s ESL classes from her sister-in-law, and quickly jumped at the opportunity to continue learning English. Upon meeting her, it’s easy for anyone to see how smart and driven Paty is—she has an infectious energy of confidence about her. It was no surprise that Paty was one of the very first to enroll when Centro announced the launch of its HiSET Prep Program.

For Paty, earning her high school equivalency diploma in the U.S. is a matter of personal growth—she had already graduated high school and began college before leaving Mexico. And, although she’s quite clear about the fact that she is doing this for herself, what Paty didn’t expect was just how involved her family would be in the process and how special the experience would be. With three sons in distinct stages of their education—her eldest is a student at Maryville College—it wasn’t long before her studies became a family affair. 

Her studies often coincided with the subject matter they were learning in school, and her preparation for the HiSET exams became an opportunity for family discussion and mutual assistance. She helped them, and they helped her. Paty is close to completing the process, and will soon be able to add ‘HiSET diploma’ to her growing list of personal achievements. Simply put, there’s no stopping Paty. And that’s what makes her such a special member of our community. 

Paty's passion for Centro is contagious, and she gives back through volunteering constantly. She frequently reminds us how important the welcoming gathering space and trusted network that Centro has created is for both Latinos and non-Latinos in East Tennessee. “Here they feel safe, and lots of times people don’t do things because they’re afraid or because of the language barrier, but at Centro they can feel comfortable and go outside their box. It’s especially important for women.”

Help us support go-getters like Paty! Please consider making a contribution to Centro Hispano’s HiSET Prep program today.