Improving the Lives of Lebanon County's Unemployed

Maribel Torres knows firsthand the power of opportunity, as well as the costs imposed by its absence. Her mother moved to Lebanon County in 1950 from Puerto Rico and her husband worked for low wages in agriculture. At that time, discrimination in jobs and housing were pervasive, and ESL classes were a distant dream. Maribel accompanied her mother to translate for her medical appointments, among other necessities, so even though both were citizens they were made to feel like foreigners. At times, her mother “felt helpless or not intelligent, even though she was a very intelligent woman,” Torres tells me. “Growing up that way made such an impression on me. I always wanted to help people when they are struggling.”

This means that their client base is considerably poorer than the population of Lebanon city and the county itself. Almost three-quarters of city residents drive to work, while more than 90% of the county does the same. Lebanon city has proportionately more poor people (23%) than the county (11%) as a whole. The lack of a car, as well as credentials, keep these workers from reaching their full potential.

As Torres put it, students who studied to be a phlebotomist or a medical assistant go from low-wage work, or unemployment, to jobs that pay more and can be a career. Those who work for Wellspan, for example, can get additional training provided by their employer.  There’s “opportunity [there], and they have their foot in the door” for more.

Torres points out that medical jobs provide regular schedules, as opposed to warehouses where you’re not sure when you will be able to return home. Suddenly, you have free time to enjoy weekends with your family because you’re on a set schedule.

Tec Centro has garnered positive support from the Lebanon County commissioners and other collaborative organizations. That’s because employers need trained workers and see the logic in the Torres’ perspective. “Your community is only as strong as the individuals that are in it,” says Torres. She adds: “If your individuals and families are struggling, then your community is going to struggle as well.  By helping individuals and families to strengthen, then neighborhoods will improve, and you will have a healthier community.”

Maribel and Rafael Torres also understand the value of improving workers’ self-esteem.  The average age of their students is 35, and few enjoyed the chance to go to college. “So for their families to see them up there … and see that they accomplished something they set out to do is just amazing.  Going back to school, as adults, with families, is not easy. But they stuck with it, and it shows their resiliency.”

The organization and its founders believe in strengthening the community. They organize an annual gala. They also promote Three Kings Day, an important Latino holiday that falls on the epiphany or the twelfth day of Christmas.

The organization is still finding its feet, but this writer can attest that more and more people are making use of its facilities. They’re developing stronger relationships with local community colleges and social services agencies. That is so they can direct people to agencies or non-profits that can help them with their needs.

Maribel Torres points out that “all are welcome at Tec Centro. We just want everyone to have opportunity.”  Her family history and her experiences made her understand that often people are judged by their skin color or their accent. She’s met engineers that work in warehouses because they lack the certification to apply their training to Pennsylvania.  She knows an Emergency Room surgeon that’s unloading trucks. That’s not just the case of barring foreign nationals from job markets, but also Puerto Ricans, who are part and parcel of the U.S.

She hopes that the state looks at decreasing barriers to entry so that educators, engineers, and medical professionals can contribute their talents to our Commonwealth. We are desperately short of these professionals, so outdated policies are denying the state the full talents of its residents.

John Hinshaw is a professor of history at Lebanon Valley College.