DAILY NEWS PEOPLE : ENRIQUE BONILLA.Byline: - Minerva A. Hernandez If anyone can find the time to do volunteer work while holding down two jobs, going to college and being a full-time dad, it is Enrique Bonilla. Enrique was about 10 years old when he came to this country from El Salvador El Salvador (ĕl sälväthōr`), officially Republic of El Salvador, republic (2005 est. pop. 6,705,000), 8,260 sq mi (21,393 sq km), Central America. with his mother, Laura, and brother, Melvyn. At 18, during his senior year in high school, Enrique found out he was about to become a father. He married his high school sweetheart, Angelica angelica (ănjĕl`ĭkə), any species of the genus Angelica, plants of the family Umbelliferae (parsley family), native to the Northern Hemisphere and New Zealand, valued for their potency as a medicament and protection against , and they welcomed a baby daughter. ``Needless to say, it's an experience that's not easy for anyone, especially someone my age,'' he says. But it was because of this experience that he became familiar with Friends of the Family, an organization that advises teen parents. AGE: 20. RESIDENCE: North Hollywood. BORN AND RAISED IN: El Salvador. OCCUPATION: Computer technician/apartment manager. MARITAL STATUS marital status, n the legal standing of a person in regard to his or her marriage state. : Married to Anjelica. CHILDREN: 2-year-old Laura. VOLUNTEERISM vol·un·teer·ism n. Use of or reliance on volunteers, especially to perform social or educational work in communities. volunteerism : ``Volunteering for an organization such as Friends of the Family is all about being there for teen dads. Having been a teen dad myself makes the guys who come to the program feel at ease talking to Noun 1. talking to - a lengthy rebuke; "a good lecture was my father's idea of discipline"; "the teacher gave him a talking to" lecture, speech rebuke, reprehension, reprimand, reproof, reproval - an act or expression of criticism and censure; "he had to me about what's going on What's Going On is a record by American soul singer Marvin Gaye. Released on May 21, 1971 (see 1971 in music), What's Going On reflected the beginning of a new trend in soul music. in their lives; I relate to them, and they relate to me. We share experiences, but mostly I talk to them about getting ahead, continually emphasizing that getting an education is of vital importance, stressing, as well, that fathering another child until they're both financially and emotionally ready for it is definitely not advisable ad·vis·a·ble adj. Worthy of being recommended or suggested; prudent. ad·vis  a·bil . I fully enjoy the experience.''
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED?: ``When I was working at Pacoima Elementary as a computer lab technician See PC technician and software technician. , I was approached by Regina Law (program coordinator for young parents) of Friends of the Family. I didn't really think of it much at the beginning, but I read and reread Verb 1. reread - read anew; read again; "He re-read her letters to him" read - interpret something that is written or printed; "read the advertisement"; "Have you read Salman Rushdie?" the application, and it wasn't long after that I found myself taking the training provided by this organization and became actively involved in it.'' WHY DO YOU VOLUNTEER?: ``In order to help others, you need to help yourself first. I've been down that road and feel that I can make a difference in someone's life. Always expecting positive results, that's what volunteering to me is all about.'' BIGGEST DILEMMA: ``Always trying to live up to the values that were instilled in me by my grandmother.'' MOST DIFFICULT DAILY TASK: ``I find it hard setting aside my personal feelings and performing my job as an apartment manager when I have to hand in notices or collect the rent. Even though I may feel sorry for an individual, I still have to carry on with my duties. I think I'm ready I'm Ready is the double platinum second release from R&B singer Tevin Campbell. I'm Ready yielded the biggest R&B hit of his career the #1 R&B smash "Can We Talk", and produce 3 more successful hits in "I'm Ready", "Always In My Heart" and "Don't Say Goodbye Girl". to move on to something else.'' GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: While he concedes that it has taken a lot of hard work, ``I have to say definitely becoming a father'' has been a major accomplishment. HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?: ``Being able to provide for your family, seeing your children grow up and knowing that you have not been a burden to society, I certainly would call that success.'' FAVORITE VALLEY HANGOUTS: ``I mostly enjoy staying home with my family. On and off, we go out to a good restaurant.'' FAVORITE ACTIVITIES: ``Weightlifting, yeah I like that a lot.'' WHAT WOULD BE A PERFECT DAY FOR YOU?: ``Knowing that I made someone's life easier by something I said or did.'' CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: Enrique Bonilla Andy Holzman/Daily News |
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