LCoM Literacy Blog- December 18, 2014

 THE LITERACY CENTER OF MILFORD

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Dear Friends:

    2014 was a banner year – We celebrated our 20th Anniversary! We could not have existed for 20 years without YOU – our loyal supporters, our friends of literacy.
    What programs were new or continuing in 2014? Of course we continued our one-on-one tutor training in Milford, and are expanding that program into West Haven and Stratford with enthusiasm from local organizations, the media and the libraries. Thanks to the Deluca Foundation we were able to add two new computer classes.  Our Books for Babies, Toddlers and Birthdays program has been greatly strengthened through the generosity of Barnes & Noble. We also continue our reading to 150 preschoolers every week at local pre schools. Lastly, the Superstar for Literacy program for middle school students has gotten rave reviews, and we continue conversations with the school system to find new ways to eradicate illiteracy in our local communities.
    We received several grants during the year to support a part-time Program Administrator, who also crunches the numbers to validate our success and find areas in which we need to improve (no organization should ever be satisfied!). We held our famous Leprechaun Leap in March, and our inaugural Neon Night Run in July – and that was one colorful and bright event with over 400 participants running or walking. Our October Masquerade Ball was fantastic – attendees danced the night away to the great music of Ruby and the Diamond Kings Band. A list of our community and private supporters can be found on our web site.
    Although we have thousands of hours clocked by our many, many volunteers, we still need support from individuals like you. On average, it costs over $100 to educate a student for a year – books, computers, programs, tutor materials, administrative and office costs all add up. And our expenses will increase as we help others in our surrounding communities.
    In the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” Jimmy Stewart gets to see how life would have been without him. As you read the student success stories we have included here, KNOW that you made a DIFFERENCE in a person’s life – a new job, a driver’s license, a promotion, owning a business, and becoming part of a community. We know that you value your past investment in our efforts – you have given time and dollars. We hope that we can count on you to support us as we enter our 21st year, and hope you will give generously to a cause that positively changes people’s lives forever. If it weren’t for you, there could be no “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

We thank you in advance for your support!

Sincerely,

Monica Foran
Chair, Development Committee

$500 Buys the Challenger Book Series for 5 students
$250 Supports the Computer Class     
$100 Buy Pre School Books   
$50 Buys Books for Baby    
$25 Buy a Book for a Student  

You can make your tax-deductible gift to: 
Literacy Center of Milford, Inc.  16 Dixon St, Milford, CT 06460

Give the Gift of Literacy.

Our Student Stories

Life in the United States

“I like Milford, and Milford is special to me because the people are very nice. For the rest of my life, I will never forget the Literacy Center of Milford. They help me learn English, and the teachers are very nice people. I want to say thank you to the teachers who help me. I like spring in Milford because I like to grow pretty flowers, delicious vegetables, and mint.  I like the different seasons. Another reason I like Milford is because it is a safe and quiet place. Milford is my favorite place to live in the United States. Thank you for the teachers who help me so much. I will never forget them.” Savun Zander.

Savun came to the United States in 1983 from Cambodia.  “I met Savun in 2012 when she came to the Literacy Center looking for English classes,” says Tami Jackson, Executive Director.  “Her accent was very strong and I had a hard time understanding her, but assured her that we would find a tutor for her and that her English would improve.”  Savun began working with a one on one tutor.  But that was not enough.  She wanted to join a class held at Meadowside School.  But that was not enough.  She wanted to join another class held at the Literacy Center.  But that was not enough!  She also joined the computer class that we began this year with the support from the DeLuca Foundation.  Savun has been a very hard working and determined student in our program, shining in many ways.  She received her US Citizenship earlier this year and she read her essay, above, at our annual Literacy Awards night in September.  She is also in the beginning stage of studying for her GED.  We are very proud of the accomplishments Savun is making and glad to be helping her along the way.  

Savun is currently looking for a job.

Thank you for
Giving the Gift of Literacy.

What Milford Means to Me    

Milford Literacy Center was started in 1994 in Milford, for people who wish to learn the English language: reading, writing, speaking, and math. The teachers help us to improve in these skills. This center is for people who come from different countries.
 
I myself, Tenzin, Lhakpa, am from Tibet, and this was my first visit to the United States. In my country, I used to talk in my own language, but in the U.S., we have to speak English. For that reason, I want to learn English writing and speaking.

When I came to this country, I felt new here. All the people were strangers to me because I didn’t know their language. One day, I was communicating with my sister-in-law. I asked her how I could improve my English language skills. Finally, she found out about the Milford Literacy Center for me. I joined that center. I met a good tutor, who teaches us all the English skills. Sometimes, she does group activities with us, and it helps us a lot.
 
The Literacy Center is very helpful for me, and I am very grateful. I learned many new things here, and I love the tutors because the teachers are volunteers. They spend their precious time with us. May the Literacy Center live long and always help people like me. I want to say thank you, and I will never forget this place.

Student: Tenzin Lhakpa, Country: Tibet, Tutor: Martha Salmon