Volunteer Board Members

My name is Tori Buerschaper and I am the Executive Director of Community Harvest Project, a nonprofit farm that grows produce for hunger relief, and a Worcester resident. After the 2016 election I wanted to find a way to support the vibrant immigrant population in Worcester and started volunteering with LVGW as a tutor in 2017. I have experience with fundraising in my day job, and was asked to join the fundraising committee and then the board where I now serve as President and Clerk. LVGW students are some of the most driven, interesting, and wonderful people I have met in our city. I am thrilled to lend my nonprofit management experience to such a small but mighty organization to help local English language learners thrive.

  I’m Ilka Kostka, and I’ve been involved with Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester (LVGW)
since September 2022. I was first an English language tutor and then joined the Board of
Directors. I enjoy discussing curricular and programmatic issues, creating and delivering
workshops for students, and working with the Board to carry out the mission of the organization.
I’m currently a full-time professor at Northeastern University in Boston, where I teach a range of
English language courses to undergraduate and graduate international students. I’m so proud to
be part of LVGW and to have the opportunity to use my passion for English language education
to support learners in the Worcester area.

My name is Raquel Mota-Hays, and I have a strong passion for personal growth and community development. I work as a Wraparound at Worcester Public School, where I consistently strive to promote literacy and passionately advocate for ESOL students. I have a degree in law from a university in Brazil and an Associate’s degree in paralegal studies and psychology from Bunker Hill Community College. These qualifications significantly enhance my skillset and enable me to bring a unique perspective to my work. I am honored to serve on  and contribute my expertise to this exceptional team that aims to deliver the best for the Worcester community.

My name is Hilda Rosa Maldonado, originally from Canóvanas, Puerto Rico and currently serving the community of Worcester, MA as Program Director at Green Island Neighborhood Center, a program of Friendly House, Inc. With a background in Education from the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico, my interest in continuing my college studies was born. In 2023 I was able to complete a Human Services Associate of Science Degree from Quinsigamond Community College.

Today, I am pleased to serve on the LVGW Board of Directors, with the purpose of continuing to make a difference in people’s lives to do better. Understanding that my skills and years of experience could be of great benefit to impact others, it’s my desire to be an advocate and voice for this community.

My name is Anyeliny Lamptey, I was born in San Francisco de Macorís in the Dominican Republic, raised in Lawrence MA but call Worcester my home for over 8 years. I am currently a Senior Community Relations Representative at Point32 Health. I graduated from Saint Michael’s College in Colchester VT 2014 with a BA degree in Political Science.

I have recently joined the LVGW Board of Directors with the hopes of using my passion for social justice and community building to help build on the mission.

Volunteer Tutors

I am Rosa Mumbiela, a Spanish teacher living here in MA for her second year although I was living in Texas for 3 more. I’m one of the new tutors of LVGW. I decided to join you because I perfectly understand what it means to be in a foreign speaking country and I wanted to help to anyone who needs it. Thank you for giving me such a great opportunity.

My name is Faith. I visited Worcester in 2005 and I never left. Worcester is a pretty city and there are people from all over the world here which is exciting. I had worked with other ESOL programs in NC, CA and NY, so I decided to visit Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester to see if I could volunteer.  The staff was very friendly and inviting and I felt very comfortable. I joined as a tutor because it is important to me to help others. I also knew from experience that coming to live in another country and not knowing the language was not easy and I needed all the help I could find. Tutoring someone means helping them learn a new language, learn about other resources available for them, and sharing my own experiences. Many times I became friends with my students and we invited each other to our homes, sometimes shopped together, learned about each other’s cultures and changed each others lives. I love tutoring and being part of the family of Literacy Volunteers because it’s one of the best things in my life.

My name is Gary Tuthill and I’ve been working with Bijan Mohammadi since completing my tutor training in the Winter of 2013. I’m retired from computer programming and this is my first tutoring effort. Bijan is a pleasure to work with, and we’ve become good friends. Much of our time together has been conversation, including job application discussions, house buying evaluation and the history, culture and geography of Iran. While already able to handle the basics of life in Massachusetts, Bijan has become much more comfortable and skilled in communication in English.

The staff at Literacy Volunteers is enthusiastic, helpful and professional. My tutor training was thorough, and I feel well-prepared and supported in my work with Bijan. The organization’s efforts are so important in helping immigrants better cope with our language and culture.

My name is Darrelyn and I have been a tutor for almost a year and a half.  I have always wanted to be a Literacy Volunteer and a few years ago, I finally had the time to devote to it.  I did not have any teaching experience before this, but the training program and the support that is available gave me the confidence to become a tutor.  I meet with Ban, my student, every week and we work on speaking, reading and comprehension, listening skills using different strategies.  Ban has made great progress and she is a motivated and enthusiastic learner.

This experience has been so meaningful and rewarding for me.  Ban is my student but also has become a friend.  She has taught me many things about her culture and country.  She is a wonderful cook and has spoiled me and my family with many delicious dishes!

My name is John Matraia and I have been volunteer with Literacy Volunteers for two years. I am currently working with my third student, Kwabena Boakye. He has been in the United States for five years. We have been working together weekly for several months and Kwabena is making excellent progress, as he is very diligent about his class work.

In addition to working full time, Kwabena also works part time whenever he is needed. Being a member of his Church is a very important part of his life and has helped him to develop a network of friends. His long‐ term goal is to bring his children to America at some point in the future. They are currently in school in Ghana.

My name is Jean Bowker. My student’s name is Janaq Rungollari. I became a literacy tutor almost 2 years ago. As a former teacher of reading and language, I enjoy working and seeing the gains my student has made. I was proud to attend the ceremony and see Janaq become a U.S. Citizen as I tutored him in this area also. Janaq has been a wonderful student and I have learned so much from him.

Literacy Volunteers provides a valuable service to immigrants to give them the skills to become productive and literate citizens. It also provides tutors with a greater understanding of the hardships many of our immigrants face. As tutors we make a difference in more ways than learning, and serve as mentors when there are problems faced by students new in this country.

My name is Bob Laperriere. I tutor 2 students, Durga Khawas from Bhutan, and Tha Shi Wah, from Burma. Both are refugee immigrants with remarkable life stories. I became a tutor last summer. I retired from the postal service in 2012 as a letter carrier and was looking for some interesting things to do so, among other things, I ended up as a tutor with Literacy Volunteers.

I had no idea how much fun it would be to meet these fascinating, gracious, gentle people that I have come to respect and love. I think I get more out of these relationships of learning than they do. I grew up in a poor French-Canadian family surrounded by others from Quebec who had immigrated to Lowell, Lawrence and Haverhill to work in the mills and shoe shops. I remember the struggles I saw my grandparents and my parents made to improve their lives and can really empathize with these new visitors to America.

On Christmas Eve I received the amazing news that Durga Khawas had passed the US Citizenship test. That truly astounded me as I knew the language disabilities he struggles with. His positive, very hardworking spirit and his clever methods for memorizing language were rewarded. I have learned a lot from both of my students.

Volunteer Board Members

My name is Tori Buerschaper and I am the Executive Director of Community Harvest Project, a nonprofit farm that grows produce for hunger relief, and a Worcester resident. After the 2016 election I wanted to find a way to support the vibrant immigrant population in Worcester and started volunteering with LVGW as a tutor in 2017. I have experience with fundraising in my day job, and was asked to join the fundraising committee and then the board where I now serve as President and Clerk. LVGW students are some of the most driven, interesting, and wonderful people I have met in our city. I am thrilled to lend my nonprofit management experience to such a small but mighty organization to help local English language learners thrive.

  I’m Ilka Kostka, and I’ve been involved with Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester (LVGW)
since September 2022. I was first an English language tutor and then joined the Board of
Directors. I enjoy discussing curricular and programmatic issues, creating and delivering
workshops for students, and working with the Board to carry out the mission of the organization.
I’m currently a full-time professor at Northeastern University in Boston, where I teach a range of
English language courses to undergraduate and graduate international students. I’m so proud to
be part of LVGW and to have the opportunity to use my passion for English language education
to support learners in the Worcester area.

My name is Raquel Mota-Hays, and I have a strong passion for personal growth and community development. I work as a Wraparound at Worcester Public School, where I consistently strive to promote literacy and passionately advocate for ESOL students. I have a degree in law from a university in Brazil and an Associate’s degree in paralegal studies and psychology from Bunker Hill Community College. These qualifications significantly enhance my skillset and enable me to bring a unique perspective to my work. I am honored to serve on  and contribute my expertise to this exceptional team that aims to deliver the best for the Worcester community.

My name is Hilda Rosa Maldonado, originally from Canóvanas, Puerto Rico and currently serving the community of Worcester, MA as Program Director at Green Island Neighborhood Center, a program of Friendly House, Inc. With a background in Education from the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico, my interest in continuing my college studies was born. In 2023 I was able to complete a Human Services Associate of Science Degree from Quinsigamond Community College.

Today, I am pleased to serve on the LVGW Board of Directors, with the purpose of continuing to make a difference in people’s lives to do better. Understanding that my skills and years of experience could be of great benefit to impact others, it’s my desire to be an advocate and voice for this community.

Volunteer Tutors

I am Rosa Mumbiela, a Spanish teacher living here in MA for her second year although I was living in Texas for 3 more. I’m one of the new tutors of LVGW. I decided to join you because I perfectly understand what it means to be in a foreign speaking country and I wanted to help to anyone who needs it. Thank you for giving me such a great opportunity.

My name is Faith. I visited Worcester in 2005 and I never left. Worcester is a pretty city and there are people from all over the world here which is exciting. I had worked with other ESOL programs in NC, CA and NY, so I decided to visit Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester to see if I could volunteer.  The staff was very friendly and inviting and I felt very comfortable. I joined as a tutor because it is important to me to help others. I also knew from experience that coming to live in another country and not knowing the language was not easy and I needed all the help I could find. Tutoring someone means helping them learn a new language, learn about other resources available for them, and sharing my own experiences. Many times I became friends with my students and we invited each other to our homes, sometimes shopped together, learned about each other’s cultures and changed each others lives. I love tutoring and being part of the family of Literacy Volunteers because it’s one of the best things in my life.

My name is Gary Tuthill and I’ve been working with Bijan Mohammadi since completing my tutor training in the Winter of 2013. I’m retired from computer programming and this is my first tutoring effort. Bijan is a pleasure to work with, and we’ve become good friends. Much of our time together has been conversation, including job application discussions, house buying evaluation and the history, culture and geography of Iran. While already able to handle the basics of life in Massachusetts, Bijan has become much more comfortable and skilled in communication in English.

The staff at Literacy Volunteers is enthusiastic, helpful and professional. My tutor training was thorough, and I feel well-prepared and supported in my work with Bijan. The organization’s efforts are so important in helping immigrants better cope with our language and culture.

My name is Darrelyn and I have been a tutor for almost a year and a half.  I have always wanted to be a Literacy Volunteer and a few years ago, I finally had the time to devote to it.  I did not have any teaching experience before this, but the training program and the support that is available gave me the confidence to become a tutor.  I meet with Ban, my student, every week and we work on speaking, reading and comprehension, listening skills using different strategies.  Ban has made great progress and she is a motivated and enthusiastic learner.

This experience has been so meaningful and rewarding for me.  Ban is my student but also has become a friend.  She has taught me many things about her culture and country.  She is a wonderful cook and has spoiled me and my family with many delicious dishes!

My name is John Matraia and I have been volunteer with Literacy Volunteers for two years. I am currently working with my third student, Kwabena Boakye. He has been in the United States for five years. We have been working together weekly for several months and Kwabena is making excellent progress, as he is very diligent about his class work.

In addition to working full time, Kwabena also works part time whenever he is needed. Being a member of his Church is a very important part of his life and has helped him to develop a network of friends. His long‐ term goal is to bring his children to America at some point in the future. They are currently in school in Ghana.

My name is Jean Bowker. My student’s name is Janaq Rungollari. I became a literacy tutor almost 2 years ago. As a former teacher of reading and language, I enjoy working and seeing the gains my student has made. I was proud to attend the ceremony and see Janaq become a U.S. Citizen as I tutored him in this area also. Janaq has been a wonderful student and I have learned so much from him.

Literacy Volunteers provides a valuable service to immigrants to give them the skills to become productive and literate citizens. It also provides tutors with a greater understanding of the hardships many of our immigrants face. As tutors we make a difference in more ways than learning, and serve as mentors when there are problems faced by students new in this country.

My name is Bob Laperriere. I tutor 2 students, Durga Khawas from Bhutan, and Tha Shi Wah, from Burma. Both are refugee immigrants with remarkable life stories. I became a tutor last summer. I retired from the postal service in 2012 as a letter carrier and was looking for some interesting things to do so, among other things, I ended up as a tutor with Literacy Volunteers.

I had no idea how much fun it would be to meet these fascinating, gracious, gentle people that I have come to respect and love. I think I get more out of these relationships of learning than they do. I grew up in a poor French-Canadian family surrounded by others from Quebec who had immigrated to Lowell, Lawrence and Haverhill to work in the mills and shoe shops. I remember the struggles I saw my grandparents and my parents made to improve their lives and can really empathize with these new visitors to America.

On Christmas Eve I received the amazing news that Durga Khawas had passed the US Citizenship test. That truly astounded me as I knew the language disabilities he struggles with. His positive, very hardworking spirit and his clever methods for memorizing language were rewarded. I have learned a lot from both of my students.

Volunteer Board Members

My name is Tori Buerschaper and I am the Executive Director of Community Harvest Project, a nonprofit farm that grows produce for hunger relief, and a Worcester resident. After the 2016 election I wanted to find a way to support the vibrant immigrant population in Worcester and started volunteering with LVGW as a tutor in 2017. I have experience with fundraising in my day job, and was asked to join the fundraising committee and then the board where I now serve as President and Clerk. LVGW students are some of the most driven, interesting, and wonderful people I have met in our city. I am thrilled to lend my nonprofit management experience to such a small but mighty organization to help local English language learners thrive.

  I’m Ilka Kostka, and I’ve been involved with Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester (LVGW)
since September 2022. I was first an English language tutor and then joined the Board of
Directors. I enjoy discussing curricular and programmatic issues, creating and delivering
workshops for students, and working with the Board to carry out the mission of the organization.
I’m currently a full-time professor at Northeastern University in Boston, where I teach a range of
English language courses to undergraduate and graduate international students. I’m so proud to
be part of LVGW and to have the opportunity to use my passion for English language education
to support learners in the Worcester area.

My name is Raquel Mota-Hays, and I have a strong passion for personal growth and community development. I work as a Wraparound at Worcester Public School, where I consistently strive to promote literacy and passionately advocate for ESOL students. I have a degree in law from a university in Brazil and an Associate’s degree in paralegal studies and psychology from Bunker Hill Community College. These qualifications significantly enhance my skillset and enable me to bring a unique perspective to my work. I am honored to serve on  and contribute my expertise to this exceptional team that aims to deliver the best for the Worcester community.

My name is Hilda Rosa Maldonado, originally from Canóvanas, Puerto Rico and currently serving the community of Worcester, MA as Program Director at Green Island Neighborhood Center, a program of Friendly House, Inc. With a background in Education from the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico, my interest in continuing my college studies was born. In 2023 I was able to complete a Human Services Associate of Science Degree from Quinsigamond Community College.

Today, I am pleased to serve on the LVGW Board of Directors, with the purpose of continuing to make a difference in people’s lives to do better. Understanding that my skills and years of experience could be of great benefit to impact others, it’s my desire to be an advocate and voice for this community.

Volunteer Tutors

My name is Faith. I visited Worcester in 2005 and I never left. Worcester is a pretty city and there are people from all over the world here which is exciting. I had worked with other ESOL programs in NC, CA and NY, so I decided to visit Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester to see if I could volunteer.  The staff was very friendly and inviting and I felt very comfortable. I joined as a tutor because it is important to me to help others. I also knew from experience that coming to live in another country and not knowing the language was not easy and I needed all the help I could find. Tutoring someone means helping them learn a new language, learn about other resources available for them, and sharing my own experiences. Many times I became friends with my students and we invited each other to our homes, sometimes shopped together, learned about each other’s cultures and changed each others lives. I love tutoring and being part of the family of Literacy Volunteers because it’s one of the best things in my life.

My name is Gary Tuthill and I’ve been working with Bijan Mohammadi since completing my tutor training in the Winter of 2013. I’m retired from computer programming and this is my first tutoring effort. Bijan is a pleasure to work with, and we’ve become good friends. Much of our time together has been conversation, including job application discussions, house buying evaluation and the history, culture and geography of Iran. While already able to handle the basics of life in Massachusetts, Bijan has become much more comfortable and skilled in communication in English.

The staff at Literacy Volunteers is enthusiastic, helpful and professional. My tutor training was thorough, and I feel well-prepared and supported in my work with Bijan. The organization’s efforts are so important in helping immigrants better cope with our language and culture.

My name is Darrelyn and I have been a tutor for almost a year and a half.  I have always wanted to be a Literacy Volunteer and a few years ago, I finally had the time to devote to it.  I did not have any teaching experience before this, but the training program and the support that is available gave me the confidence to become a tutor.  I meet with Ban, my student, every week and we work on speaking, reading and comprehension, listening skills using different strategies.  Ban has made great progress and she is a motivated and enthusiastic learner.

This experience has been so meaningful and rewarding for me.  Ban is my student but also has become a friend.  She has taught me many things about her culture and country.  She is a wonderful cook and has spoiled me and my family with many delicious dishes!

My name is John Matraia and I have been volunteer with Literacy Volunteers for two years. I am currently working with my third student, Kwabena Boakye. He has been in the United States for five years. We have been working together weekly for several months and Kwabena is making excellent progress, as he is very diligent about his class work.

In addition to working full time, Kwabena also works part time whenever he is needed. Being a member of his Church is a very important part of his life and has helped him to develop a network of friends. His long‐ term goal is to bring his children to America at some point in the future. They are currently in school in Ghana.

My name is Jean Bowker. My student’s name is Janaq Rungollari. I became a literacy tutor almost 2 years ago. As a former teacher of reading and language, I enjoy working and seeing the gains my student has made. I was proud to attend the ceremony and see Janaq become a U.S. Citizen as I tutored him in this area also. Janaq has been a wonderful student and I have learned so much from him.

Literacy Volunteers provides a valuable service to immigrants to give them the skills to become productive and literate citizens. It also provides tutors with a greater understanding of the hardships many of our immigrants face. As tutors we make a difference in more ways than learning, and serve as mentors when there are problems faced by students new in this country.

My name is Bob Laperriere. I tutor 2 students, Durga Khawas from Bhutan, and Tha Shi Wah, from Burma. Both are refugee immigrants with remarkable life stories. I became a tutor last summer. I retired from the postal service in 2012 as a letter carrier and was looking for some interesting things to do so, among other things, I ended up as a tutor with Literacy Volunteers.

I had no idea how much fun it would be to meet these fascinating, gracious, gentle people that I have come to respect and love. I think I get more out of these relationships of learning than they do. I grew up in a poor French-Canadian family surrounded by others from Quebec who had immigrated to Lowell, Lawrence and Haverhill to work in the mills and shoe shops. I remember the struggles I saw my grandparents and my parents made to improve their lives and can really empathize with these new visitors to America.

On Christmas Eve I received the amazing news that Durga Khawas had passed the US Citizenship test. That truly astounded me as I knew the language disabilities he struggles with. His positive, very hardworking spirit and his clever methods for memorizing language were rewarded. I have learned a lot from both of my students.

As a volunteer tutor with Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester you have the opportunity to directly change the lives of our students. Our tutors come from all walks of life, but all share in the desire to help a fellow community member learn how to speak, read, and write in English. Here are their stories. 

My name is Darrelyn and I have been a tutor for almost a year and a half.  I have always wanted to be a Literacy Volunteer and a few years ago, I finally had the time to devote to it.  I did not have any teaching experience before this, but the training program and the support that is available gave me the confidence to become a tutor.  I meet with Ban, my student, every week and we work on speaking, reading and comprehension, listening skills using different strategies.  Ban has made great progress and she is a motivated and enthusiastic learner.  This experience has been so meaningful and rewarding for me.  Ban is my student but also has become a friend.  She has taught me many things about her culture and country.  She is a wonderful cook and has spoiled me and my family with many delicious dishes!