04/24/2026
Then ➡️ Now ✨ Meet our Babies to Two Coordinator, Paola Matute-Arrieta.
Then: A young girl stepping into a new world, leaving behind the comfort of her first language. Growing up in a Spanish-speaking home, moving to the U.S. meant sitting in classrooms where everything felt unfamiliar. Every word, every lesson—it was all in English. It was overwhelming, and the transition wasn’t easy.
But everything began to change with a simple gift: books. Thanks to her aunt, who ordered age-appropriate stories through Scholastic, she was introduced to the playful and imaginative world of Dr. Seuss. Page by page, word by word, she began to understand. Reading became more than learning, it became confidence. As her skills grew, so did her happiness, her voice, and her belief in herself.
Now: Paola stands as someone who turned challenge into strength. What once felt like a barrier became a bridge. Her love for reading didn’t just help her learn a language, it helped her grow, dream bigger, and expand her world.
Proof that with support, persistence, and a good book… everything can change. 📚💫 Help Paola and her colleagues do the same for the families they serve by supporting our Beekman Kids Read campaign! Link in bio or visit ahouseonbeekman.org.
