Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester

Providing English language proficiency for Economic Security

In Solidarity

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Dear friends,

We are deeply saddened by the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and countless others before them. We stand with the Black community in mourning. We see you, we hear you, and we are with you. Black lives matter.
We are committed to anti-racist education as a crucial part of our mission. The following is a list of resources that tutors and students can use in their lessons, as many learners have understandably raised questions about recent events.

We are determined to strengthen our leadership and volunteer recruitment practices to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to ensure that our leadership is more representative of those we serve. Over the coming months, we will engage more with students, tutors, teachers, and other stakeholders to better understand your respective experiences as well as seek ideas and input that will ultimately make us stronger as a community.

Conversations about race can be uncomfortable, and we do not pretend to have all the answers, but we are here to listen, talk, and learn together.

In solidarity,
The LVGW Team

Loreta and Crystal

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Loreta and Crystal have been working together since January 2020 after Crystal completed our 18-hour ESOL tutor training program. Here is what they have to say about their time together:

“I am Loreta. I am from Albania. I have 5 years living here in Worcester. I miss the language but with the help that Crystal teacher is giving me, I am feeling something different. I understand sentences, I know how to read short passages, write a little, describe and more! Crystal is a great teacher. She finds my weakest part and works with me until she is convinced that I have learned it. The teacher gives me the opportunity to give my ideas. Thank you for this great job you are doing with me.” –Loreta

“Loreta and I have been in constant communication with one another during this pandemic. We have been video chatting through WhatsApp as well as texting. I’ve also been creating powerpoint slides as lessons for her. That way she can continue practicing how to read and write on her own and then we discuss and have conversation through video chat to review what she’s learned so far. It’s been an amazing experience. Not only are we tutors helping our students grow and flourish in this country, but we are also giving them a voice. The students need the language in order to survive, communicate, and defend themselves in this country. The only way to do this is to break down these barriers.” –Crystal

COVID-19 Updates as of 6/17/2020

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6/17/2020
5/27/2020

In-person activities are still suspended until further notice. Please read this message from Literacy Volunteers of Massachusetts Executive Director Roberta Soolman. Both of LVGW’s offices will remain closed to the public until further notice. When we do reopen, please expect some changes in protocol (such as staggered staff schedules, making appointments to visit the office, and increased cleaning/sanitation of high-touch surfaces), which will help us ensure that our volunteers, students, and staff stay healthy and safe.

We will continue to communicate with you and let you know when we can resume in-person meetings. Thank you for your patience and perseverance with tutoring remotely. Stay well!

5/4/2020
No in-person activities until (at least) May 18, 2020
Thank you for reading, and take care.
4/13/2020

Hi all,

CLICK HERE TO READ AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE from Literacy Volunteers of Massachusetts Executive Director Roberta Soolman detailing an extension of our office closure and cancellation of in-person activities through May 4.
LVGW is just one of 12 affiliates of Literacy Volunteers of Massachusetts, and we have all been affected by the pandemic and state advisories to stay at home. Again, we encourage our tutors to stay in communication with their students via video conferencing, phone calls, emails, and texting – whatever works best. It has been amazing to hear from so many volunteers who are going above and beyond to support their students and LVGW during this difficult time. We couldn’t do this work without our volunteers. Please stay home and stay well.
Best,
Elyse
3/13/2020
Hello everyone,
We have been notified that all in-person Literacy Volunteers activities in all 12 Massachusetts affiliates have been immediately cancelled until April 9. MORE INFORMATION HERE. This is a temporary precaution to help slow the spread of the virus, in line with the CDC’s recommendations for community organizations. Please continue to practice social distancing, regular hand washing, and other good hygiene practices as recommended by the CDC to help keep our community healthy and safe.
The specific implications for Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester are as follows.
  • All in-person one-to-one and group tutoring sessions are cancelled until April 9. Tutors, please feel free to use FaceTime, Skype, Google Hangouts, Zoom, WhatsApp, or simple phone calls and emails to remain in touch with your students. Tutors, please contact your students immediately to let them know of this temporary change. More information about technology resources will be sent next week to tutors.
  • All in-person Literacy Academy classes are cancelled for the remainder of the semester. Some classes will be moved online. Lena will be in touch with the teachers on Monday to help plan the remainder of the semester via virtual learning. Students, please stay tuned for more details.
  • The Rosetta Stone Open Lab is cancelled for the remainder of the semester.
  • The remainder of the March ESOL Tutor Training session is cancelled until further notice. We will try to reschedule the remaining sessions in April or May depending on this evolving situation.
  • The March 20th Tutor Workshop is cancelled until further notice.
  • The March 29th Good Deeds Day Potluck & Cultural Celebration is cancelled until further notice.
  • The April 7th Tutor Orientation is cancelled until further notice.
  • Both LVGW offices will be closed through April 9. Administrative staff will be working remotely starting March 16.
  • You can still contact us. To reach us by phone, please call 508-754-8056 and the following extensions to leave a voicemail. It will be emailed to us and we will return your call as soon as possible.
  • As of right now, the Scrabble event on May 2 is still scheduled. We will continue to monitor the situation and make a decision closer to that date based on the recommendations of the CDC and state and local health officials. We will send updates as the date approaches.
Please remember that these changes are temporary and precautionary to keep our community healthy and safe. We will continue to communicate with you all in the coming weeks. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this unprecedented time.
Together we will get through this! Stay well and take care.
Elyse Waksman
Executive Director
Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester

Spring into Literacy

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“For the first time since I arrived [in the US], I felt part of this community, sharing with people like me,…and that really motivated me to keep growing.” This is how Maya, an English language learner, described her first experience with LVGW’s classes.

Throughout the past few months, we have remained committed to our students, and we have transitioned to distance learning for both classes and tutoring.

We need your help to sustain these vital services.

Hear from volunteers and students, including Maya, about what LVGW means to them:

Read more.

We’re Going Virtual!

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Over these past few weeks, we have been inspired by the creativity and compassion of our community banding together while remaining physically apart. Our tutors, teachers, and staff have been working hard to ensure a smooth transition to distance learning for all of our 600+ adult learners.
To ensure the health and well-being of everyone, we have made the difficult decision to cancel our in-person Scrabble Tournament, which had been scheduled for May 2. But don’t worry! With our virtual fundraiser, you will still be able to support our mission of helping people thrive, and you may even play some word games while you’re at it.

Read the update about our virtual fundraiser here.

 

Scrabble Tournament on May 2, 2020

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Join us for our annual scrabble game night. Form a team of three to six players and we’ll teach you the LVGW way to play scrabble! Admission includes dinner and participation in team-based mini-games. Cash bar, silent auction items, prizes, and gift baskets available. 

Register today!

 

Interested in volunteering at the event? Email info@lvgw.org
This event is a fundraiser for Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester. Proceeds support English language and literacy education. 
 

CANCELLED. Cultural Celebration & Potluck Lunch

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UPDATE: This event has been cancelled as of 3/12/2020.

Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester is hosting a Cultural Celebration & Potluck Lunch for our students and their families in collaboration with the JCC on Good Deeds Day!

Share food and learn about other cultures. We will have conversation activities for students to practice speaking. Please feel free to bring a dish for the potluck lunch! View the flyer here.

Sunday, March 29, 2020

LVGW Classroom, 90 Madison St. Room 303A

11:00am-1:00pm

Olivia and Joan

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Olivia and Joan speaking at the Meet & Greet at Redemption Rock Brewing Co.

Who we are:

Olivia: I’ve lived in Worcester for about one year. I am from China and I came here for school many years ago. I am thirty years old and I signed up for tutoring to improve my English speaking skills. I have been with my tutor, Joan, for about six months.

Joan: I am a retired lawyer and I became a Literacy Volunteer a few years ago. I wanted to work with people trying to find their place in a new country and community. Because that is a huge challenge, I thought students would be very motivated, positive and interesting individuals. And I was right!

What we have learned from tutoring:

Olivia: As I learned more cultural things and as my English has improved I have more confidence. I’m not afraid to talk with anyone now. I went to yoga class last week and introduced myself to a few people before class. When I went skiing I talked with people next to me in line and on the lift. I think understanding the culture is very important.

Things we have enjoyed doing together:

  • Reading aloud and discussing books written for children or young people. These books have easier vocabulary, plot lines, are shorter than adult books and are fun.
  • Reading and discussing newspaper articles about China and about American politics. This is difficult but rewarding.
  • Finding and discussing unfamiliar vocabulary and idioms as we read and talk together.
  • Talking about the similarities and the differences between China and America.
  • Sharing some details about our respective cultures.
  • Meeting in different places for weekly lessons. This gives us new topics of conversation and the chance for Olivia to practice conversation with other people. We have been to different coffee shops and the Courthouse where Joan used to work. We even spent one lesson talking about the American judicial system.
  • Olivia was invited to speak at a Library Foundation event. She practiced her talk several times with Joan as the “audience”. We attended the event and Olivia did exceptionally well!

Favorite moments:

Both: When we have a conversation and are able to share our experiences in our families, our upbringing, and our different cultures with each other.

Olivia: Knowing I have the support of my tutor makes me happier.

Joan: Getting to know Olivia is a pleasure and having the opportunity to help her grow in her conversation skills and confidence is very rewarding.

Seetha and Carol

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Seetha and Carol

Seetha shared the following story in a room of over 40 people. We are so proud of her accomplishments, including this speech.

My name is Seetha. I live in Shrewsbury and I come from India. I am working at Reliant Medical Group in Westborough. I am teaching religious scripts for small kids through conference calls on weekday evenings. In the future I am planning to volunteer at a hospice once a week.

In my community, I am surrounded by highly qualified people like doctors and engineers. One day I was frustrated at work trying to reply to emails. Most of my replies were one-word answers like yes, okay, no, and thank you. I asked my coworkers for help. One of my coworkers recommended Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester, and I signed up for tutoring.

Carol and I have been working together once a week for about 2.5 years. I have learned a lot from Carol. I have more confidence with my friends, in the workplace, and in the community.

Every week I look forward to my class. I book a room at the Shrewsbury Library. Carol brings a lot of interesting materials for my weekly class and homework. We discuss readings and sometimes laugh at the stories. I also learn English idioms from Carol. Those are my favorite moments.

I am thankful to the Literacy Volunteer group who introduced Carol in my life. She finds out what I need and how to improve my English. She patiently corrects my mistakes and teaches me how to fix the mistakes. She always encourages my work. Before I joined the program, I asked my kids to help me fix all the emails and text messages. Sometimes they would help, sometimes they would make faces. Now I reply to my emails with more confidence.

I was promoted from part time to full time at the front desk for lab and x-ray at Reliant Medical Group in Westborough.

I have improved my understanding of English reading comprehension.

I have more self-confidence.

I have increased my yearly test scores.

Finally, I accepted the invitation and spoke today.

This is my first English speech. Thank you for supporting me to learn English.

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