Boomerang - Fall 2014

Boomerang

Give something good, and it

will come right back to you.

Fall 2014

www.lvgh.org

Tutor Spotlight: Tajma Haller

Each year, we train and welcome 40 to 50 new volunteers into our LVGH family. This month, we sat down with new volunteer tutor, Tajma Haller, who shared personal insight into her first few months of tutoring. Tajma tutors afternoon classes at the Hartford Literacy Center, focusing on grammar and writing with both Basic Literacy (BL) and ESOL students. She lives in Glastonbury with her husband.

LVGH: What made you decide to become a tutor?

TH: As an avid reader and writer, literacy is very important to me. I was a writer in New York City, and my schedule was really busy, so I never had time to volunteer. But then we moved to Connecticut, and I had more time on my hands. I looked for opportunities in the region, came across LVGH, and decided to apply. From the first meeting with Mark [Briggs, our Program Director], I knew this was the place for me.

LVGH: You began tutoring in the Summer of 2014. What was it like starting out?

TH: Starting during the summer session was a good way to get my feet wet. I was initially interested in tutoring only Basic Literacy students, but there was also a need for ESOL tutors in the afternoon, so I agreed to try that out, too, although I was nervous. Working with both groups of students has turned out to be a fantastic experience! I just had to learn to be more flexible and go with the flow.

LVGH: What has been the best part of your experience here so far? Did anything surprise you?

TH: This experience has truly been as good for me as it has been for my students. It is so rewarding to see those "got it!" moments, when something we're learning finally clicks. I was surprised by how much I came to admire my students - they overcome so many obstacles to be here, and they are still so enthusiastic about learning.

LVGH: What advice would you give to a new tutor?

TH: You will be nervous, but trust that you will know what to do. You will make mistakes, but you can always learn from them, and even salvage something from a lesson that didn't work. If your heart is in the right place and you are basing your lessons on what your students need and are asking for, it will work. You will be proud of what you do!

LVGH Recognized by the Library of Congress

Mark Briggs receiving award from Mark M. Rubenstein

In October, LVGH was recognized at the Library of Congress Literacy Awards in Washington, D.C., for its work to promote adult literacy in the region.

We were one of just fourteen groups worldwide selected for inclusion in the Library's Best Practices Publication, which recognizes model programs using evidence-based practices to promote literacy. Specifically, LVGH was honored for its work addressing social and cultural barriers to literacy. Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra and Congressman John Larson nominated LVGH for the Library of Congress award.

On October 8-9, our Program Development Director, Mark Briggs, joined other honorees from around the world at a ceremony in the nation's capital. To read more, click here.

New Computers and Digital Literacy Classes

This fall, thanks to several generous donors, our Hartford Computer Lab was enhanced with the installation of 30 brand new desktops. Our old "hand-me-downs" served us well for quite a few years, but our upgrade was a welcome improvement!

The upgrade came just in time for the implementation of our new Digital Literacy curriculum, which brings every class into the Lab at least once each week to concentrate on computer skills. Separate workshops on various topics related to computer skills will also be offered.

Help LVGH When You Shop on Amazon!

Love Amazon.com? Now, just in time for the holiday season, you can help your favorite literacy organization every time you shop! All you have to do is click here and sign into your Amazon account. That's it! With every eligible purchase you make, the Amazon Smile Foundation will donate a small percentage of the purchase price to LVGH. Thanks for participating!