Houston Hero Pays it Forward

Hero: Tomas Rodriguez
By: Marisela Medrano, Plantation, FL

My father, 80 yr. old, Tomas Rodriguez, is my personal hero. A Cuban immigrant, he arrived in the U.S. with his young family in 1961 with $10 to his name. After much anxiety and perseverance, overcoming many obstacles along the way, he had a successful career in Houston, TX.

Throughout his life he has continually helped other immigrants in their transition to the U.S., sometimes even bringing recent arrivals home that he has met at the airport. Mostly, he helps them find adequate housing and jobs, and supplies them with food and clothing that he collects for this cause.

Of special note, for the past fourteen years, 2 nights per week, he has dedicated himself to teaching English to Spanish speaking Houston immigrants; thereby allowing them greater opportunities in this country. He started this volunteer ESL (English as a Second Language) program in 1996 at his church. Since its inception, he has been able to certify hundreds of immigrants in ESL, and the program has grown to having 8 teachers, which he still coordinates today.

He stays in contact with his past students, and helps them whenever they encounter a hardship. The sacrifices in time and goods that my father has given others over his lifetime are his way of “paying it forward” for the generosity that he encountered when he first arrived in this country.

His greatest gift is the gift of joy that he experiences when he looks upon the faces of those he has helped. To his students he leads by example, which follows the teaching of his father “My Education is My Wealth”. Tomas Rodriguez is my personal hero and a personal hero to the many immigrants that he has touched in Houston, TX