Literacy Volunteer new tote bags are here! Your purchase supports our programs, perfect for carrying books or tutoring materials! For sale at the office for $10. Thank you!
Tutors Answer the Call
Sandy, Judy and Jennifer are three of our dedicated Volunteer Tutors who gave their time, talent and financial support to pilot an under served group of women in Millbury for 6 months this year.
(L-R: Sandy and Judy pictured here )
We thank our shining stars at Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester for their support of English language literacy education!
16th Annual Scrabble Tournament 2017
Thank you to all our supporters, volunteers, board members and staff for gathering at our 16th Annual Scrabble Scrimmage Event this weekend. Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester is proud to help our adult learners reach English language proficiency for Economic Security! Thank you.
Scrabble Event Supports Literacy Volunteers
Teams of three to six players will each be give a Scrabble game board and bag of 100 tiles, and work together during three rounds of play to make as many words as possible.
Join us on Saturday, May 6th, 2017 from 5:30pm-8:30pm at Worcester State University, 486 Chandler Street, Worcester MA.
We hope you can join us for this annual competition for adults of all abilities. Includes prizes, food, beverages, raffle, cash bar prizes and a fun time! Pull a team of 3-6 players together and see if your company can claim first prize over last year’s winner, Bay State Savings Bank! Only $25 per person!
All proceeds for a good cause…English literacy education!
Please contact Sheila McManus at info@lvgw.org for more information, sponsorship or volunteer opportunities!
Our Winter Schedule is here!
Our winter session will run for twelve weeks, starting on January 23. Registration will be held January 3 – 13, 2017 at our Main Office, located on the 3rd floor of the Worcester Public Library. Students may register for no more than two courses. Courses are free, but we suggest a donation of $25 to attend one course, $35 to attend two courses. Weekly attendance is expected. Please see our Winter 2017 Schedule for more information.
Reading Your Local Newspaper: A Course at Literacy Volunteers
New Executive Director and Board Members
We are delighted to announce the appointment of our new executive director and three new board members.
Jolene Jennings was named permanent executive director of the nonprofit after serving in the interim role for six months. Jennings, who has a master’s degree in nonprofit management from Worcester State University, has 20 years of experience in the Greater Worcester nonprofit sector.
We also voted in three new board members for three-year terms: Melissa Depanian, a senior marketing manager at EnerNOC in Boston; Frank Callahan, director of planned giving at Worcester Academy; and Amanda Addeo, a disability benefits specialist at Unum Group.
Save the Date: Holiday Bake Sale and Exchange
Literacy Volunteers will hold their First Holiday Bake Sale and Exchange on Tuesday, December 13th, from 12:30-2:30 pm in the Banx Room of the Worcester Public Library.
Please join us in celebrating the traditions of our diverse cultures this holiday season over coffee and baked goods. Our students, teachers, tutors and all those interested in learning more about Literacy Volunteers are invited.
The Bake Sale table, an American tradition, will also have baked goods for sale to take home. All proceeds benefit Literacy Volunteers programs.
Contact Melissa or Sheila at info@lvgw.org to register to attend, volunteer or bring a baked good.
You can donate individually wrapped baked goods with holiday recipe attached the day before event on Monday, December 12 from 10am-2pm. Drop off at Literacy Volunteers office at the library, Suite 332.
Winter 2017 Registration Dates
Registration for our next English as Second language (ESL) courses will be January 3-13th during regular office hours! Check back on 12.18.16 for our ESL course descriptions for Winter offerings. Each course has 12-weeks of classes which will begin on January 23rd, 2017.
Next Volunteer Tutor Training – January 2017
Our next tutor training session is scheduled for January, 2017. Registration is now open!
The training consists of six sessions totaling 18-hours and will be held on January 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, and 27th, from 3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. This training prepared you to start one-on-one tutoring with our ESL students.
Seating is limited-please pre-register by Friday, January 6th.
If you would like to volunteer and be considered for a tutor position please download and fill out this application and send to info@lvgw.org.
Annual Dinner 2016
Thank you for joining us at the 43rd Annual Meeting for Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester. I and the board of directors were honored to have you at the event.
The goal of the Annual Meeting is to share publicly the state of the organization, vote on new members and present past year’s highlights and accomplishments while enjoying the evening together. This year, we also had the privilege of having Dr. David Jordan, President /CEO of Seven Hills Foundation & Affiliates join us to both educate and motivate our constituents. I hope that the meeting demonstrated the importance of the work that you do in support of LVGW and our literacy services to our community.
Our guest speaker, Dr. David Jordan, shared data highlights from his commissioned research report “The Foreign Born Population of Worcester, Massachusetts: Assessing the Challenges and Contributions of a Diverse Community.” Dr. Jordan’s speech focused on English literacy and proficiency costs and benefits at both a global and local level, solidifying the need for our English language learner (ESL/ESOL) literacy education services. His speech demonstrated the critical need for the services of LVGW and for the work that you do in support of our organization. His research can be found at http://www.sevenhills.org/uploads/ForeignBornStudy.pdf
I hope that you found the meeting informative, inviting and collegial and the board, staff and I look forward to future gatherings. I appreciate your continued commitment to Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester.
Jolene Jennings, Executive Director