Open Door, Open Heart
Marcela Lenox, BA’11 (Metro)
By Kenna Caprio
On Saturdays, Marcela Lenox, BA’11 (Metro), used to carpool with a group of her fellow Puerta Al Futuro students over to FDU’s Metropolitan Campus for class. The friends would meet at a coffee shop and then on the drive, they’d study, review essays and talk about their classes. On their way back home to Dover, N.J., they would often stop for lunch.
“When you first arrive in a new country, and you’re going to university, you feel a little intimidated. Puerta was something I never expected in a college program — in Spanish for people who speak Spanish. It was such a blessing for me,” says Lenox. “The teachers and professors are so committed to the process; the students were friendly and welcoming. The program helped me develop my English-speaking skills and made me feel less shy.”
When Lenox moved from Chile to the United States to continue her education, she lived with a host family, finding community with her host mother and through the Puerta Al Futuro program.
In her role now as executive director of the Morris County Organization for Hispanic Affairs (MCOHA), she and her team provide support to clients in the area.
“The mission is to help everyone who comes to our door with no discrimination,” says Lenox. “We give the community the tools to succeed. We advocate for our clients.”
The nonprofit serves between 13,000 and 14,000 clients per year, including children, senior citizens and low-income families, offering transportation; immigration and legal consultations; translation and notary services; educational and emotional support; weatherization and energy-assistance programs; and other community resources.
“When you’re going through a difficult time, you feel so alone. Maybe you’ve lost a job or a loved one or experienced domestic violence. MCOHA is here — people and organizations do care. We are here to serve our clients, open doors and listen to their needs,” says Lenox.
“I am an immigrant and now a citizen. I came to the United States by myself. I have my children and my husband now, but sometimes I feel sad and lonely that I don’t have my mother, father or a cousin living here to go have coffee or enjoy a meal with any time I want. So, I understand. It makes me so happy to give back to people who are just arriving in this country and give them opportunities.”
HAPPY PLACE
“Spending time in nature, meditating and focusing on my mental health makes me happy,” says Lenox. “I also love barbecues and camping.”
CAMPUS VISIT
Lenox participated in a panel at FDU, “Fearless Trailblazers Making History,” in honor of Women’s History Month 2024. The alumni panelists discussed their careers and FDU experiences.
GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY
MCOHA will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026.