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Article: Latinas drawn to Girl Scouts Organization helps immigrants settle in.(News)
- Article from:
- Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL)
- Article date:
- July 24, 2003
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 Paddock Publications. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: Stacy St. Clair Daily Herald Staff Writer
The suburbs threatened to overwhelm Mabel Garcia, but her mother wouldn't allow it.
Rather than let her eldest child sit home and watch television all day, Maria Garcia signed her up for Girl Scouts and prayed it would help the 10-year-old immigrant meet new friends.
She hoped the organization would teach Mabel about American culture and customs. In essence, she envisioned the group as the Guatemalan girl's passport to an easier life in the United States.
And, in many respects, it has been exactly that.
Mabel, now 15, flourished with the Girl Scouts. In her Elgin troop, she ...