UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Chester County’s mushroom farms, which grow 50 percent of the nation’s fresh mushrooms, have been supported by a large influx of Hispanic workers in recent years. Yet cultural differences between the United States and Hispanic countries, present challenges for these workers and their families as they adapt to life in America. So a Penn State Cooperative Extension educator with ties to both worlds is extending a helping hand to the immigrant families.

Maria Navarrete-Olvera, recent Penn State graduate and newly appointed 4-H youth family diversity educator, has returned home to Chester County. Born in Guanajuato, Mexico, Navarrete-Olvera was raised in Kennett Square after arriving at the age of seven. During her childhood and teenage years, Navarrete-Olvera faced many of the issues still affecting Hispanic youth today.

“In many instances, children and teens are split between the traditions of their country upheld by their parents and our expectations in the U.S.,” says Navarrete-Olvera. “Mexican girls, for example, are considered women at the age of 15 and are expected to marry and bear children by 18. This country, on the other hand, views 15-year-old girls as teenagers who should be attending high school and then continuing that education into college at 18. Many Latino parents are unwilling to let their daughters attend college because of the norms established in their native country. We explain college to the parents and talk to them about scholarships, grants and other methods of financing a college education.”

Navarrete-Olvera and other educators develop 4-H educational programs that involve music, academic reinforcement, traditional cultural dances, gardening and the arts to help youth overcome these difficult issues. Since many immigrant parents do not speak English or understand the cultural identity crisis their children can go through during their teenage years, the educators invite parents to participate in the program with their kids.

“Many of my programs cover character education in such areas as respect, self-esteem, sharing and responsibility,” says Navarrete-Olvera. “These are basic life skills that are extremely important to the development of these young individuals, but that may not otherwise be instilled. We build confidence and show youth that future opportunities such as college are within reach.

“Because they face issues relative to their gender, I’m also interested in designing specific programs for girls and boys,” she says. “Hispanic girls who arrive here typically experience higher rates of suicide, teen pregnancy, and school drop-out. Since these are issues that girls face which they may not feel comfortable discussing around boys, specific programs to approach these issues make sense.”

Navarrete-Olvera began working with the Chester County 4-H program in the summer of 2004 during her junior year at Penn State and returned during her senior year in 2005. “What drew me to the program was the hands-on work in the same area where I grew up,” she says. “Going out into various communities and working with entire families appealed to me because of the larger positive impact you can have.”

Along with Navarrete-Olvera’s familiarity with the cultural landscape in Chester County, her dedication and charisma when working with families and youth made her the perfect candidate for her position as 4H youth family diversity educator, says Laurie Sicko-Szoke, associate extension educator in Chester County and Navarrete-Olvera’s mentor.

“Since I met Maria in 2004, we’ve made it our mission to reach out to Chester County’s hidden poor communities,” says Sicko-Szoke. “Her compassion when dealing with youth and her desire to integrate all family members into the program have made her a magnet of magic in these communities. Not only is she in touch with and sensitive towards the needs of Hispanic communities in Chester County, Maria’s program includes all races and financial backgrounds.

“When adults and children alike listen and respect you, that’s a special gift. Maria uses this gift to make a difference in the lives of so many in and around the Chester County area.”

Penn State Cooperative Extension, with offices in each of Pennsylvania's 67 counties, transfers research-based information to individuals, families, businesses and communities through educational programs designed to meet locally identified needs.

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EDITORS: Contact Maria Navarrete-Olvera (mfn112@psu.edu) and Laurie Sicko-Szoke (las7@psu.edu) at 610-696-3500.

Kyle Bohunicky - Writer Gary Abdullah - Editor office 814-863-2708 e-mail gxa2@psu.edu