For more than ten years, Gene Lang has been a steady, compassionate presence at Catholic Charities Centro San Juan Diego, walking alongside students preparing for one of the most meaningful moments of their lives: becoming a United States citizen. His commitment, shaped by thousands of hours in the classroom and countless stories shared, reflects the heart of volunteer service at Centro— a place where lives are transformed through education, encouragement and community.
Gene’s journey as a volunteer began in 2015 with a simple conversation.
One November afternoon, he found himself talking with longtime civics instructor at Centro, Babu Iyer. Babu shared how the naturalization process works, the dedication he saw in his students and the passion behind Centro’s civics classes. He spoke about the people sitting in those classrooms — their hopes, their hard work and their deep desire to become U.S. citizens. As a naturalized citizen himself, Babu told Gene how inspiring it was to help others prepare for this life-changing moment.
Centro serves Colorado’s Hispanic community by providing culturally rooted education, family support, leadership development and immigration services. Located in Denver’s historic RiNo neighborhood, the center offers adult education programs—including ESL, GED preparation, computer literacy and business skills—alongside citizenship assistance, legal consultations and community resource support. Guided by Catholic social teaching, Centro empowers individuals and families to thrive, grow in faith and build stronger, more connected communities.
Everything Babu described resonated deeply with Gene. Before their conversation ended, he offered to help if Centro ever needed another civics teacher.
Just two months later, the call came.
Babu had launched a new class with nearly 70 students — more than double the usual size — and Centro needed to split the group so each student could receive meaningful support. Gene immediately agreed to step in. After shadowing Babu for a week and receiving materials from the Centro staff, he taught his first class. One class led to another and now, ten years later, he is still teaching with the same passion he had on day one.
When asked why he continues volunteering after all these years, Gene speaks first about his students.
Each seven-week class meets twice a week for three hours, giving him 42 hours to learn each student’s story, struggles and dreams. He sees in them exactly what Babu described back in 2015: determination, courage and a deep love for the country they hope to call their own.
But Gene’s favorite moments come months later — when he receives a text or email telling him a former student has passed the naturalization interview.
“I am filled with pride for my student,” he says. “And I am privileged to share in their joy in becoming a U.S. citizen.”
He also speaks highly of the Centro staff, who empower volunteers to focus on teaching by creating a supportive, well-organized environment. Over the years, he has worked closely with many team members, most recently with Tomasa Rios, a program specialist with the Catholic Charities ministry.
“Centro is an incredible place,” Gene says. “The staff is totally dedicated to the mission. Because of their work, volunteer teachers like me get to devote our energy to teaching.”
In Gene’s classroom, the goal is always clear: prepare every student for a successful naturalization interview. Lessons include reading and writing practice, conversation exercises, review of the Form N-400 application and a deep dive into the 128 civics questions that form the core of the interview. Former students frequently return to share their interview experiences firsthand, giving current students confidence and insight.
For Gene, supporting this process combines two lifelong passions — U.S. history and teaching. But more than that, it connects him to people who are eager to learn, who want to contribute and who are committed to becoming active participants in their new country.
“Becoming a U.S. citizen is life-changing for the students,” Gene reflects. “It is so rewarding to be part of their journey.”
As we celebrate Volunteer Appreciation Month, we give thanks for volunteers like Gene — individuals whose gifts of time, knowledge and compassion strengthen our community in profound ways. His decade of service is a reminder that one person’s dedication can open doors, create opportunities and change lives.
Thank you, Gene, for walking alongside our students with such kindness and commitment. Your service is a true reflection of our mission — and a blessing to the community we serve. To learn more about volunteer opportunities with Catholic Charities visit: ccdenver.org/volunteer.