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HOLA Lakeway is eager to grow in its new facility on East Andrew Johnson Highway in Morristown.

Since December 2020 HOLA Lakeway has been located 2450 S Cumberland, but with the continuous growth and new programs it sought for a new and bigger location.

The leadership team found a new location at 1600 E Andrew Johnson Highway, and the team is excited to bring HOLA’s services to the new facility.

“We are super excited,” said Executive Director Betsy Bonilla Jimenez-Hurst. “We will miss our old home, but it’s really great to have so much more space so we can hold bigger events, improve our current programs and then add new programs to HOLA Lakeway so we better serve the community.

“Having all this space is new to us, so the next couple of months will be a very exciting journey for us.”

With the increase of space, compared to its prior facility, HOLA Lakeway has plans to use it to grow its programs.

HOLA Lakeway teaches two types of language courses. It teaches many in the community either English or Spanish.

It offers four levels of English classes, ranging from beginner to advanced. These classes are designed to prepare immigrants and refugees for the workforce.

It also offers a hands-on Spanish class which allows for students to practice what they learn. Students go to restaurants and stores to practice their Spanish. Students will also attend sobre mesa, where they will sit down with and talk to native Spanish speakers.

Classes are given throughout the week, and the course is ten weeks long.

“Before we had classes for about five to six people and now with this new space we are able to have classes up to 15 to 16 people and have three different classrooms,” Hurst said. “So hopefully in the future, with the new space, we are able to teach around 50 people at one time in the three classrooms.”

However, HOLA Lakeway has several programs catered to the youth of the community.

With its free STREAM summer camp students partake in several STEM activities and will also have the opportunity to expand on their coding, reading, and scientific knowledge.

Its RoboThinKids hopes to inspire minds, plant dreams, and build community leaders. Students use legos and the Plan-Do-Check Act methodology that many Lakeway area manufacturing plants use to train their employees to work at high levels of effectiveness. In order to register for the program a school’s teacher recommendation is required.

“There will be a kid’s area with tables, chairs, books and toys,” Hurst said. “This is the area where all of the kids ‘ programs will be held, such as their STREAM program.”

“With the more space we have we can have a designated space for our RoboThinKids program. We have that space inside the kid’s area.”

La Tiendita is a small emergency food pantry that HOLA has for families who are in need of cultural food items such as Maseca, P.A.N., Tostadas, etc.

HOLA also offers hygiene products for new arrivals to feel welcomed into their new home.

“We also have a bigger space for our La Tiendita (The People’s Store) so we can have more items and a variety of items. This means we will be able to help people in our community more than before.”

However, with the new facility it also hopes to add new programs to its list of services, including a cooking class.

“The new facility came with a kitchen,” Hurst said. “We hope to renovate and improve it so in the future we can host cooking classes and teach people to make cultural foods while also sharing background on where the dish originated and its history.”

HOLA Lakeway, leaders are thankful for the community’s continued support. With the new facility it will need support more than ever.

“I’m proud to lead HOLA Lakeway as we grow along with our community. We started small but now help many,” said Willie Santana HOLA Lakeway, co-founder. “To continue serving more people, we found a wonderful new, bigger building for our programs.”

“Moving is exciting but has brought unexpected costs. Recent storms, like the one earlier this week, have added expenses too. Please donate if you can. Your support helps us keep pace with our thriving community despite storm setbacks.”

“I’m excited to see HOLA Lakeway and Lakeway grow together. But storms remind us we must also support each other during difficult times. Your donation lifts your neighbors in need after storms while also investing in our shared future growth. We’re in this together.”

Santana explained that with the community’s help HOLA Lakeway can continue to grow within the community.

“With your help, we’ll continue growing and thriving for years to come, no matter what storms may come. Our community is resilient when we unite. Thank you for being part of HOLA Lakeway’s journey. Together we can weather any storm and emerge stronger,” he said.

For more information on HOLA Lakeway or to donate, visit its website, send an email to bhurst@holalakeway.org or call 423-621-9065.