A Word from the Director

The Naperville Cultural Center is a concept language and culture center that has been a long time vision of mine since childhood.  My mother is from Japan, but it was not common when I was growing up to teach your children a second or third language.  It may have even been discouraged.  Now we know the value of language and how it relates to ourselves and how we relate with each other.

When I explored my heritage further, I discovered that my paternal grandparents had a culturally diverse heritage as well.  I will never forget the first time I saw a copy of my grandfather’s immigration papers from what was then Bohemia.  It was documented at the turn of the 20th century over a hundred years ago.

To me that meant there were other countries out there that I had very close ties to yet knew very little about.  When I was old enough to take classes at college I studied Anthropology and foreign language, but finally settled on a business major and achieved my BA in Corporate Accounting from North Central College.  Yet I still dreamt of a way to bring my heritage closer to home.

Years have past, and since then I have become a wife and mother of three.  I have been an accountant during tax seasons, aided in governmental audits in Illinois, taught preschool music, and run a successful home business.

I searched for seven years before I was able to find a Japanese instructor for my own children.  I consider myself so lucky because she is the embodiment of Japanese style and grace.  But I am fascinated by many languages and many cultures, and I am inspired by humanity.  I hope to share that joy by providing a resource to the community.

Finally, on November 29th 2004, Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Illinois Secretary of State.  I chose to create a not-for-profit corporation in order to make language and cultural activities affordable, if not free, for those who longed to learn about the world around them.  Language and cultural activities should be available to anyone and to all ages of people who make that connection, and have that desire.

Everyone is welcome so please come to visit!  And enjoy your stay - it's a place for you and your family just as much as it is for me and mine!

Sincerely,

Michelle LeBlanc