LCoM Literacy Blog- April 2015

 THE LITERACY CENTER OF MILFORD

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Volunteer Appreciation Month

On April 29 the Literacy Center will be hosting a Multicultural Night for our volunteers and students.   Our small part time staff of two oversees 200+ volunteers and students.  Last year our volunteers donated more than 5,000 hours toward the mission of the Literacy Center.  Simply, we could not survive without them.  Our Multicultural Celebration is just a small way for us to show our gratitude and THANK them for all that they do to support the Center!  Additional celebrations will include anniversaries and accomplishments.

Volunteer to become a Tutor

A wonderful opportunity for you can make a difference in someone else’s life!  Did you know there are more than 25,000 people in Milford, Stratford and West Haven without a high school diploma?  Did you know there are more than 3,400 adults who are not fluent in English and there are 57 non-English languages spoken in these cities?   (Data taken from the Milford, Stratford and West Haven School District Strategic School Profile, 2012-2013)

The Literacy Center of Milford is offering a five-week volunteer TUTOR TRAINING class in ESL (English as a Second Language).  

TUTOR TRAINING classes will be held in Milford at the Literacy Center, 16 Dixon Street in Milford on Tuesdays, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. on April 21, 28, May 5, 12, 19.

There is a $20 fee for course materials. Knowledge of a foreign language is not necessary. All prospective volunteer tutors will be interviewed in advance.  For further information, call The Literacy Center office between the hours of 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at 203-878-4800.

Additionally, if you are interested in working with students preparing for their GED (General Equivalency Diploma) examination, or prefer to help adult students with basic literacy skills, call the Center’s office for an interview.

The Literacy Center of Milford is part of the ProLiteracy network of adult basic education and literacy programs. ProLiteracy is working with its member programs to raise awareness of available ESL services.

Workplace Literacy

In February the Literacy Center was approached by a Milford business who employees many immigrant workers.  They were looking for a better way to communicate with their employees and called the Center looking for some solutions.  We met with Orchid Orthopedic Solutions in March and began two classes at their location every week.  The combined classes of 25 students was broken into two groups for beginners and more advanced students.  They will be working on every day conversation, workplace terminology and vocabulary.  We are very excited for this partnership and look forward to engaging and encouraging our new students to learn the English language and integrate them into American society. 

Below is tutor Barbara Rose teaching a class.

Thank you Rotary Foundation for the District Managed Grant

Lynda Hammond (right) from the District Managed Grant committee presents a check to Executive Director of the Literacy Center, Tami Jackson (left) to strengthen English for adults in our community. The money will be used to support classes and materials for tutors and students.  Devon Rotarian, Paul Otzel looks on.

Milford Rotary and Devon Rotary were matching grant participants with this project. Thank you Rotary Foundation!