Literacy Volunteer Makes Every
Wednesday Tutoring Night
Suburban News, Wednesday, March 27, 2002
Elizabeth- For Juan Fernandez of Elizabeth, Wednesday night is "tutoring night." Every Wednesday Juan meets with 6 adults from Columbia, Uruguay, and Ecuador in the Elizabeth Public Library to help them with their English skills. Juan has been a Literacy Volunteer's tutor for almost 8 months and says, "I have come to the conclusion that to be an effective tutor one must be willing to walk at least one mile in our students' shoes and experience life from their perspective." Well, according to his students, Juan has walked 100 miles in their shoes. Hernando Valencia of Elizabeth wrote, "Our class is very good. The tutor is excellent teacher and my job I have to speak English, this program is been very helpful to me."
When someone first arrives in the United States learning English can be challenging. Juan has been helping his students learn survival skills such as how to go shopping and how to use the train. Says Elizabeth Gloeggler Executive Director for Literacy Volunteers Union County, "Juan is a fantastic tutor! He is making a real difference in his students' lives."
Literacy Volunteers of Union County is a non-profit organization which provides free tutoring for adults in the community who are learning to read or to speak English as a Second Language. In Union County there are more than 200 individuals who are waiting for a tutor. If you would like to learn more about becoming a tutor call (908) 518-0600.
