In an effort to raise money for Taller De José, the Spanish club is running the concession stand at LT volleyball games.

“It is always a good opportunity for LT to get involved in the community,” Leo Torres, class of 2019 guidance counselor and Spanish club advisor, said.

 The first fundraiser occurred on Sept. 16, and there were more in October, Torres said. The Spanish club hoped to raise $300 to $400 dollars selling various snacks at the LT volleyball games. All of the profits go towards their fundraising effort. Spanish club also plans to continue to raise money for the local organization in the future.

“I think it will be a productive relationship,” Torres said.

Taller De José is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2008 and helps about 1,100 Spanish speaking people in the Chicagoland area find resources that can help them. The organization puts them in contact with these resources and helps them translate and interpret English documents. Volunteers also take them to court appointments, to the dentist or even to the hospital, Torres said. In order to take the people to their appointments, the volunteers have to take public transportation.

Joan Stopka, a retired LT Spanish teacher who now volunteers at Taller De José, said that on average, round trip bus fare normally costs about five dollars, and with so many people requiring assistance, the costs become substantial. In order to help keep the non-profit going, the Spanish club is donating money to them.

“[I was] totally overwhelmed with all of the organizations willing to help people,” Stopka said.

Stopka was a Spanish teacher for 33 years at LT and has been volunteering at Taller De José for six years, normally helping out two or three times a week. She works in the city with people who are barely getting by, even though they work two to three jobs. Stopka said that she truly saw the real world while working at the organization, and it changed her as a result.

“All I see are people who need help, and I can be the bridge,” Stopka said.