Multicultural Celebration, Volunteer Appreciation and Celebration of Student Accomplishments.
Every year we celebrate in April/May because it is volunteer appreciation month, and we are happy to report that our literacy volunteers are making a huge difference in our student’s lives and helping them to reach their goals.
Through weekly tutoring, many of our students entered into higher education or training, some were able to get a job or improve their career, some received their GED and citizenship, others voted for the first time, received a drivers license, registered for college and became more involved in their children’s activities.
It is because of our volunteers, that Literacy Volunteers is able to exist, grow and continue helping so many people on a regular basis.
When our tutors help adults to speak English, they are allowing parents to talk with their children about their homework. Parents are able to have parent teacher conference with a teacher and follow the progress of their child in school.
Many are teaching adults the English language, so they can interact better with an employer or customers in their place of employment. These skills may enable them to be promoted and communicate better within their work environment.
Some are tutoring Basic English skills and GED skills so adults can move forward in their lives with a diploma and set higher goals for themselves.
And thanks to our Preschool readers, our youth will grow up with memories of weekly visits and the joy it brought them because they read them a book.
The decision to become a Literacy Volunteer has helped thousands of people over the past 28 years of its Incorporation. To the Board of Directors, tutors, fundraising volunteers and Friends of Literacy, thank you for the time and effort you dedicate to others so that they can have a better quality of life.
The City of Milford and Town of Stratford are very diverse. Currently there are 45 different languages spoken in homes and more than 15,000 adults without a high school diploma. We strive to reach out and help many of them.
Our organization simply would not survive without its volunteers. Last year our volunteers donated almost 8,000 hours to the mission of improving Literacy.
It is because of our volunteers that we continue to help people and make a difference in their lives.
We also celebrate with ethnic food, anniversaries and accomplishments during the celebration. Many students write essays and share them with us. For some it is the first time they are speaking English in public.
Read some of their stories!