DAILY NEWS PEOPLE : ASTRID FISHBEIN.

Byline: - Sharon Cotal

Every day, people come to America from countries all over the world in search of their right to ``life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.''

Once they arrive, some are fortunate enough to find Astrid Fishbein. She teaches classes in English as a second language and citizenship to help people realize their dreams of becoming U.S. citizens.

In addition to teaching classes, Fishbein also coaches her students all day before their mandated Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) interview. Then she is there to encourage them before the interview and sometimes accompanies them if an interpreter is needed.

An immigrant herself, she knows how they feel.

``I became a (U.S.) citizen about 12 years ago, so I can relate to what they are going through,'' Fishbein said. ``I remember the day of my interview clearly. I remember how nervous I was - and I knew the language.''

AGE: 48

RESIDENCE: Encino

BORN AND RAISED IN: Born in Caracas, Venezuela. She moved to Los Angeles when she was 12 years old and moved to the Valley two years later.

OCCUPATION: Homemaker and mother.

MARITAL STATUS: Married to Michael for 25 years.

CHILDREN: Danielle, 21, and Gregory, 19.

VOLUNTEERISM: Fishbein volunteers for the San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council in its East Valley Immigration and Citizenship Program. She teaches English as a second language and basic American history in a class that meets every Saturday for people who wish to become U.S. citizens.

She is a certified Spanish-language interpreter and serves as a translator when one is required during INS interviews in the Valley.

Fishbein is also a member of the Guild of Hillsides Home for Children, a home for abused children in Pasadena. She is the chairwoman of its ``Adopt a Cottage'' program in which groups provide parties and holiday celebrations for each cottage of children at the home.

She helps organize the home's annual fund-raising fair as well. This year's fair will take place July 17 at Hillsides.

HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED?: ``After I got my ESL (English as a second language) certificate at CSUN, I saw an ad in the paper for a volunteer immigration position. So I started working with Geneva (Ruiz-Hyatt), and she told me she wanted to start a program for people to learn English. We started the classes about a year ago.''

She got invoved at Hillsides about four years ago through a friend who volunteered there. ``I went with her one time, and I was so impressed with the place that I wanted to know what I could do to help.''

WHY DO YOU VOLUNTEER?: ``I've always volunteered my time - even as a young girl. I guess it's because I feel so incredibly fortunate in my life and with what I have, so I want to help others. And it is very rewarding - I feel really good about what I do.''

MOST DIFFICULT DAILY TASK: ``In my Saturday classes, the students are all on different levels, and it's hard to help everyone learn something in one day. If I make it too easy, then the ones who are more advanced don't learn anything. But if I make it too hard, the ones who don't know any English at all get lost. I really need someone to help me so that I could divide the class up and be more effective.''

FAVORITE DAILY TASK: ``I really like working as an interpreter during the INS interviews. I enjoy languages and being someone else's voice - I always try to imitate exactly what they say. Then, if they pass, it's especially nice because I see how happy they are, and I get so excited that I feel like I passed, too.''

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: ``I really want everyone to reach their goal and become a (U.S.) citizen, but it doesn't always work out that way, which is very disappointing. It is such a dream for these people. I can see the want in their eyes, and when they don't pass, for whatever reason, it is just heartbreaking. Sometimes they cry, or they try to fight back the tears. They want so badly to provide a better life for themselves or their families, but they just don't qualify.''

GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: ``When I hear back from someone who tells me what a difference I made in their life, then I know I have accomplished something in my life. The kids at Hillsides are so appreciative of what we do for them that it makes me feel good to know that I had something to do with making good things happen.''

WHO RELIES ON YOU THE MOST AND WHO YOU RELY ON: ``My students rely on me the most, because if I'm on vacation, no one is there and they just miss out. They don't like it when I go away, so I always try to arrange my vacations so that I can still be there on Saturday if I can. And I rely on Geneva, because without her I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing.''

ROLE MODELS: ``I would have to say my husband, because I really admire his strength and devotion. He is a physician and a professor. He does a lot of research for the advancement of medicine, and I think he's incredible - I don't know how he does it.''

VALLEY HANGOUTS: ``I love French food, and the Wine Bistro is one of my favorite restaurants. We've been going there for years, and the food is always great.''

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Photo

Photo: Astrid Fishbein

Gus Ruelas/Daily News