I have been involved with the Orange County Literacy
Volunteers for 15 years. I am the coordinator for the organization and also tutor.
I'm grateful that I had the chance to stay in school for a long time because
a lot of
individuals do not have that opportunity. There is still a large population of
older adults in this area who had to leave school so that they could help to
support their parents,
brothers and sisters.
I would like to tell you about the family that I have been working with for about a year. Their names have been changed as confidentiality is very important to the Orange Co. Literacy Volunteers. Maria and Jose grew up in Mexico and lived in Idaho before moving to Rapidan, VA where they live and work on a horse farm. Maria contacted our organization as she had worked with a tutor in Idaho and wanted to continue to work on her English.
Maria and Jose hope to become US citizens. They have two sons; one in kindergarten and one, 20 months old. They want a better life for their two sons and are responsible individuals who work hard and are devoted to their family.
About once a week I go to their home in the evening to work on reading and writing. I need to add that it is unusual for a tutor to meet in the home of the student, but this works for Maria and Jose and myself. Nick, the kindergartner, is included in the sessions. We sit at the kitchen table and as a family their work on literacy. A typical session starts with our going over correspondence that the family may want explained to them. This includes letters from the school or health insurance issues. The school sends a lot of correspondence. Maria and Jose tell me what they want to work on. Currently, we are spending time on phonics, trying to make sense of what sounds apply and when. We end our sessions by reading a children's book that I have brought along. Maria and Jose read the book to Nick.
We have a good working relationship and we try to give each other space. It is difficult to learn when tired. Maria and Jose work hard throughout the day and I respect that. I have no problem commuting to their home 6 miles from me.
We could not continue our work the Orange Co. Literacy Volunteers without help from the Piedmond United Way. To all who help us to continue to give the gift of reading - thank you.
Written by: Karen Read
Published: Spring 2003