2024-25

Volunteers Stories 2024-25

Everyone has a unique story to tell, just waiting to be heard by others. From the front lines in Bosnia to the front offices in Manhattan, LVA’s volunteer tutors come to us with fascinating backgrounds. We are proud to share the stories of these amazing individuals who bring their varied experiences to their tutoring sessions with students.

Enjoy learning about people such as the former missionary who delivered medical supplies to remote villages, retired business professionals, lawyers, healthcare providers, college students and caregivers who balance home life, work and volunteering.

Jordan Fried

Jordan’s journey with Literacy Volunteers of America (LVA) began over 30 years ago in a modest tutoring role. Now serving as the volunteer Board President, he reflects on a path shaped by dedication, tenacity, and a passion for helping others.

Jordan is a recently retired, seasoned professional with over three decades of experience in finance, marketing, product management, and strategy, most recently as a Product Manager for Anti-Money Laundering Solutions at NICE Actimize in Hoboken, NJ. Outside of his career, Jordan's commitment to service is evident in his work with organizations like Bridges Outreach to the Homeless and in his past board roles, including at Temple B’nai Or. Yet, his longstanding relationship with LVA holds a special place in his heart.

Jordan’s introduction to LVA came as a tutor for a Jamaican immigrant whose resilience left a profound impression. Despite limited formal education, his student thrived as a truck mechanic by relying on his hands-on skills and photographic memory. But when his job required administrative tasks, the man sought literacy support. “I was struck by his motivation and courage,” Jordan recalls. He tailored lessons to the student’s interests, such as politics, making their sessions not only educational but personally meaningful.

This initial experience sparked Jordan’s deeper involvement. Recognizing his potential, LVA invited him to join the board, where he spent years strengthening the organization’s financial footing. Over time, he witnessed LVA’s transformation from a small suburban Essex County group into a robust organization spanning Newark, Essex, and Passaic counties. Today, LVA primarily supports English as a Second Language learners, addressing a critical and growing need.

The organization’s expansion, resilience through tough times, and impact on countless lives have been sources of immense pride for Jordan. “We no longer talk about whether we’ll make it until tomorrow,” he says, marveling at LVA’s journey from vulnerability to stability.

As board president, Jordan is focused on enhancing governance, strategic planning, and financial sustainability. “We need to align better to support the organization’s goals while staying compliant and professional,” he emphasizes. Among his concerns are board development and securing stable funding, particularly as LVA relies heavily on government grants.

Balancing these challenges, Jordan finds inspiration in the annual awards ceremonies, where students share their transformative stories. “It makes you feel really good,” he says. This connection to people and their potential drives Jordan, who describes himself as passionate, empathetic, and deeply invested in others' success.

Jordan’s story exemplifies the spirit of LVA: resilience, growth, and an unwavering commitment to literacy as a foundation for opportunity. “I hope I’ve made a contribution,” he humbly concludes—a sentiment echoed in the thriving community he’s helped build.

Kathryn Balistos

Kat, a lifelong resident of New Jersey, has always been driven by a passion for helping others. Her career reflects this dedication, currently working as a consultant for a housing nonprofit, where she addresses homelessness through strategic planning and grant management. Before this role, Kat was an affordable housing planner and a Deputy Chief of Staff for New Jersey legislators, assisting constituents in need. Kat holds a BA in Political Science with a minor in Peace and Justice Studies from Pace University and earned her Master’s in City and Regional Planning from Rutgers University.

Despite her busy professional life, Kat generously volunteers with Literacy Volunteers of America (LVA). She first began teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) in Monmouth County in September 2019 and recently joined LVA Essex and Passaic after relocating to Essex County. “I became involved with LVA because I wanted to give back to my community in a meaningful way,” Kat shares. “My great-grandparents learned English through programs like this, and I wanted to pay it forward.”

Kat is currently working with four students, helping them improve their English skills, but it's the students she taught during her first year that have left a lasting impact. When the pandemic hit in 2020, her classes had to pivot from in-person to virtual, a challenging transition for everyone. “The dedication of my students, many of whom were parents and essential workers, was inspiring. Despite all the chaos, they carved out time each week to continue learning.”

This dedication fuels Kat’s passion for teaching. Her students’ resilience and progress are the most rewarding aspects of her volunteer work. “Seeing their confidence with English grow week after week is incredible,” she says. “It’s a privilege to be part of their language-learning journey.”

However, teaching is not without its challenges. For Kat, explaining English grammar is one of the toughest aspects. “As a native speaker, so much of grammar is second nature to me, and breaking down those rules can be tricky,” she admits. But she quickly reminds her students—and herself—that everyone makes mistakes. “I tell my students all the time that I make mistakes in English, too. Learning together is part of the process.”

Outside of her professional and volunteer commitments, Kat is an avid runner. She has completed four half-marathons and is training for her first full marathon next year! We will be rooting for you, Kat! Balancing it all, she continues to inspire others with her dedication to service, learning, and personal growth.

Wendy Gilbert-Simon

Wendy, a dedicated volunteer tutor with Literacy Volunteers of America (LVA), brings a unique blend of international experience and cultural understanding to her role teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). Having retired from Montclair State University about two years ago, where she worked with international students in exchange programs, Wendy’s passion for language education runs deep. With a degree in Japanese and a three-year stint teaching and studying in Japan, she has a wealth of experience in both teaching and learning across linguistic and cultural boundaries.

After years of working in higher education, Wendy joined LVA in the summer of 2023. For her, it felt like a “natural progression” to continue teaching English to those eager to learn. By September 2023, she had already begun working with her first group of students. Today, Wendy is mentoring two individuals—one she has worked with for a year and another for about six months. Her dedication has already made an impact, with two former students moving on to pursue significant personal goals. One student who had started medical school in Haiti is now enrolled in a medical technician program, and another has successfully started her own restaurant.

Wendy’s students come from diverse backgrounds, and one that stands out is her medical technician student who writes beautiful essays in English, despite French being his first language. Wendy also fondly recalls the restaurant owner, who graciously tried to help her reconnect with a mutual acquaintance from Wendy’s time in Japan. “It was very sweet of her to try and find this old friend of mine,” she shares.

Wendy’s time with LVA has provided her with many memorable moments, but one in particular stands out: helping a Spanish-speaking student overcome a linguistic challenge—adding an “eh” sound in front of words beginning with “S.” These small but significant language lessons have left a lasting impression on Wendy, who values the personal connections she builds with her students.

Teaching comes with its challenges, however. Wendy notes that different students come with varying levels of English proficiency. For example, she teaches a Ukrainian student whose experiences and language skills are vastly different from her Latin American students. Yet, these challenges are what make her work rewarding. She values the resilience of her students and their drive to succeed, despite cultural and language barriers.

Outside of tutoring, Wendy has discovered a new hobby that brings her joy—playing Renaissance music on the recorder in a community band. She even had a student attend one of her concerts. “I was a lifelong dancer, but as I got older, I still wanted to enjoy music,” she says. Wendy’s love for learning and teaching is evident in everything she does, making her an inspiring presence at LVA.

Dorothy Warner

Dorothy began her journey with Literacy Volunteers of America (LVA) in 2017, spurred by a desire to support immigrants in the wake of a politically charged atmosphere. Since then, she has become an indispensable tutor, guiding students from diverse backgrounds, including Haiti, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and Liberia. But her most remarkable success story is that of a young man who, despite being passed through the Newark Public School system, could not read when he first met Dorothy. Under her patient guidance, he made astonishing progress, eventually reading a full-length adult book—a triumph that left his mother in disbelief.

Dorothy's approach to tutoring is deeply influenced by her background as a children’s librarian, though she initially hesitated to use children’s books with adult learners. A fellow tutor and Dorothy questioned this method, only to discover that children’s literature could indeed be a powerful tool for adult education. Dorothy treasures the volunteer setting, where she can tap into rich children’s collections to satisfy her students’ curiosity. Whether it’s biographies of American icons like Benjamin Franklin or historical accounts of pivotal events like the American Revolution, Dorothy has a knack for choosing materials that resonate with her students’ lives and goals, particularly those studying for U.S. citizenship.

Flexibility is another cornerstone of Dorothy's teaching philosophy. She always arrives with a well-prepared lesson plan but is equally ready to pivot when her students bring pressing concerns to the table. She recalls that one snowy day, all her plans were set aside in favor of impromptu discussions and writing exercises about snow—a technique she learned from a wise school principal. Another day, when personal troubles weighed down her students—one had faced police action, and another had lost a friend to an overdose—Dorothy found solace and connection through a Dr. Seuss book, "Horton Hatches the Egg." These moments of spontaneity, she believes, often provide the most meaningful learning experiences.

LVA's support has been vital to Dorothy's success. She speaks highly of the resources and workshops available, particularly the "News for You" website, which she uses to assess reading comprehension through engaging articles and quizzes. Over the years, Dorothy has honed her skills in understanding her students' needs by truly listening—a lesson she first learned while volunteering with a migrant community in Tucson, Arizona.

For Dorothy, tutoring is more than just teaching English; it’s an education in life. Her students, who navigate immense challenges with perseverance and resilience, constantly inspire her. Dorothy quickly acknowledges that her role as a tutor is as much about learning as it is about teaching. "Helping them along the way," she says, "is the least we can do."

Anne Henry

Anne’s journey to becoming a volunteer tutor with Literacy Volunteers of America (LVA) is a testament to her resilience, passion, and dedication to education. Born in Haiti, Anne moved to America at the age of 16. She attended high school in Brooklyn, New York, and later pursued higher education at Hunter College, initially aiming for a career in nursing. However, a fainting episode during a practical nursing class made her reconsider her path.

Anne pivoted to a secretarial school, driven by an ambition to work at the highest levels within a company. She achieved this goal, securing positions at prestigious companies like Prudential and Novartis Pharmaceutical. Despite these professional successes, Anne’s journey was far from straightforward. After getting married and raising four children, her husband discouraged her from continuing her education. It wasn’t until her children were grown that Anne found the courage to leave her husband and return to school, eventually earning her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Caldwell University.

Anne’s love for teaching was ingrained in her upbringing, having been raised by nuns who instilled in her the value of education. This passion led her to discover LVA in 2016. “LVA prompts me to pursue more goals,” Anne says. “I love being able to do ESL instruction and want to use that to finish my Master’s in Adult Education. I want to use my master’s to help Haitian immigrants.”

She cherishes the moments when her students achieve breakthroughs, finding it incredibly rewarding when they grasp complex idiomatic expressions and other challenging concepts.

One student stands out in her memory. During a meet-and-greet session, Anne asked him about his aspirations. He replied that he wanted to be a great person, which Anne understood as a desire to achieve the American dream. She encouraged him by emphasizing the importance of hard work and persistence.

Anne’s strict yet supportive approach is rooted in her own experiences. “I am behind them 100%,” she says. “I will help you until you achieve your goals. I am a resilient, very proud woman with the best interest at heart. I will do my best to make sure your needs are met.”

Outside of tutoring, Anne has a vibrant personal life. She loves poetry and drama and has a history of putting together plays for her church. Anne also has a musical side, having played the horn in an orchestra back home. Additionally, she is a motivational speaker, known for her ability to elevate and inspire others with her words.

Anne’s journey, filled with twists and turns, exemplifies the spirit of LVA’s mission and the impact we can all have with a genuine will to help others and to use our experience as our strength.