HOLA Lakeway isn’t just for those coming to the Lakeway Area from other countries. Executive Director Betsy Hurst told the Morristown Kiwanis Club Friday that HOLA Lakeway is for everyone. “It’s a good place to start,” Hurst said.
“It makes me happy as an American citizen, as an immigrant because I think this is a place to give a welcome into Hamblen County. I think it is so unique. Not every county has a place that you open to everyone.
HOLA is not just for immigrants, it’s for everyone. “The reason I am here is to help the community,” she said. HOLA Lakeway is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year and so far, so many people have been helped through Hurst and HOLA’s efforts.
In 2020, she became executive director after serving on HOLA Lakeway’s Board of Directors. When Hurst came to America 22 years ago from Costa Rica, she had no one to help her to learn English and the ways of the South. “I spoke English, but didn’t speak it well,” she said.
“I needed to belong to this area so I could provide to my new community. I met my husband in Costa Rica on a mission trip. We decided to get married and he brought me to Grainger County, Tennessee, and it was just me here.
” Hurst leaned on members of her church, who helped her learn English. She carried a dictionary around as well. “I did not know how to write anything,” she said.
“I had to start from zero, my education did count. I have a business degree from Costa Rica. I took my General Educa.
