Literacy Volunteers of America, Essex & Passaic Counties, NJ Inc.

January 2025

Volume 13, Issue 1

The Insider

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The Insider, the monthly newsletter of LVA Essex & Passaic Counties, will keep you in the loop on all the organization’s upcoming events.

Alisa Takeuchi has been in Adult Education for over 23 years, and we were so lucky to have her present during our December workshop. She introduced our tutors to an innovative, web-based instructional resource developed to support immigrant and refugee students. Another amazing tool to help us better support our students. We are grateful!

Literacy Volunteers of America Essex & Passaic Counties

90 Broad Street, 2nd Floor, Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 566-6200, ext. 217 or 225

195 Gregory Avenue, 2nd Floor, Passaic, NJ 07055
(973) 470-0039

Cristhian Barcelos        -Executive Director
                                           [email protected]
Jorge Chavez                 -Data Processing Coordinator
                                           [email protected]
Sydnay Eckerling         -Education Coordinator
                                           [email protected]
Valeria Garrido             -Social Media & Newsletter Coordinator
                                           [email protected]
Cheryl Locastro            -Tutor Support Specialist & ESOL Instructor
                                           [email protected]
Marisol Ramirez           -Student Coordinator
                                           [email protected]

Greetings LVA family!

Happy New Year! As we embrace the chill of winter and the promise of fresh beginnings, we’re reminded that the season is not only about cold winds and warm coats but also about perseverance and the warmth of human connection. The start of a new year is a time to reflect on past achievements, set new goals, and celebrate the journeys that inspire us all.

In this issue, we’re proud to share two remarkable stories from our LVAEP community. Giordany, an ESL student, exemplifies determination as he navigates the challenges of mastering English in pursuit of his dreams. His story is a testament to the resilience of learners and the power of education to transform lives. Alongside him, we highlight the journey of Victoria, a devoted ESL tutor, whose compassion and commitment have profoundly impacted her students' progress. Together, their experiences remind us of the critical role education plays in fostering growth and opportunity.

This month, we also bring attention to a pressing topic with our featured story, "The drop in adult literacy is an economic issue too," from Marketplace. The article underscores the urgent need to address adult literacy, not only as a matter of individual empowerment but also as a key factor in building a robust and equitable economy. We encourage you to read this eye-opening piece and reflect on the broader implications of literacy in today’s world.

As you browse this issue, don’t miss our In the News section, where we’ve curated additional articles and updates that shine a light on the importance of literacy and lifelong learning. Whether you’re a student, tutor, or supporter, these stories offer fresh perspectives and insights to inspire your efforts.

Thank you for standing with us as we work together to open doors, change lives, and strengthen our community—one word at a time. Stay warm, stay inspired, and let’s make 2025 a year of meaningful progress!

In the News

Copy and paste the highlighted website into an internet search bar to view the following stories.

“10 of the best books of 2024, according to these experts" PBS. https://bit.ly/40Edsz8

“American adults struggle with literacy, numeracy, international report finds" EdSource. https://bit.ly/40jgvLT

“Mapped: Adult Literacy Rates by U.S. State" Visual Capitalist. https://bit.ly/4g7xHtz

Giordany has been here for less than two years, arriving from Haiti in the spring of 2023. He had studied English in Haiti but found it difficult to speak English on a day-to-day basis. A friend introduced him to LVA, and he dreams of returning to his career as a teacher once his English improves enough.

Tutor Training Workshops

Online Training, by TBD
Platform: Zoom (sponsored by LNJ)
Tuesdays, 9:30 to 11:30 am
Jan. 28, Feb. 4, 11, 18, & 25, 2025

Online Training, by TBD
Platform: Zoom (sponsored by LNJ)
Tuesdays 6 to 8 pm
Mar. 4, 11, 18, 25, & Apr. 1, 2025

Online Training, by TBD
Platform: Zoom (sponsored by LNJ)
Mondays & Wednesdays, 9:30 to 11:30 am
May 19, 21, 28, Jun. 2, & 4, 2025

Tutor Support Workshops

"Comparative Grammar," with Steven Reid
Platform: Google Meet
Wednesday, January 22, 2025, 11 am - 12:30 pm

"Tips & Tricks: Basic Writing Skills II," with Dr. Barbara Trueger
Platform: Google Meet
Wednesday, February 19, 2024, 11 am - 12:30 pm

Coffee Hour with Tutors
with Cheryl Locastro

Thursday, March 13, 2024, at 3pm (General in-person meeting)

http://www.lvaep.org/workshops.html

Getting to Know Us
Giordany, LVA student
by Valeria Garrido

Giordany, a Haitian immigrant, exemplifies perseverance and determination as he works toward mastering English and returning to his passion: teaching. Since arriving in the United States in May 2023, he has dedicated himself to improving his skills, knowing they are key to achieving his professional and personal goals.

Fluent in Haitian Creole and French, Giordany began studying English nine years ago in Haiti. Despite his efforts, speaking the language fluently remained a challenge until he joined Literacy Volunteers of America (LVA). A friend introduced him to the program, and Giordany embraced the opportunity wholeheartedly. “If I can speak and write English correctly, it will help my career and studies,” he says.

Over the past year, Giordany has made tremendous progress. “It was difficult for me to speak English before, but now I can express myself clearly,” he shares. He continues to focus on improving his spelling and expanding his vocabulary. His favorite book, the Bible, not only inspires him spiritually but also helps him practice reading in English.

Education has always been central to Giordany’s life. In Haiti, he pursued his studies with relentless determination, overcoming significant challenges like illness during university to earn his degree. His hard work paid off—he became a teacher of mathematics and physics, a role he cherishes deeply.

Now working as a Learning Ambassador at Amazon, Giordany uses his English skills daily to communicate with colleagues and support others. He fondly remembers a pivotal moment during his job interview when his ability to answer questions in English helped him secure the position. “Thanks to learning English, everything is easier now,” he says.

Giordany credits much of his success to his LVA tutors. “They encourage me to speak, are very patient, and prepare each lesson well. Thank you so much to my English teachers,” he says gratefully.

Giordany dreams of advancing to a managerial role at Amazon while continuing his studies to eventually return to teaching. He credits his success to the support of his LVA tutors, who he says are patient, encouraging, and dedicated to their students.

For Giordany, learning English is more than just a skill—it’s a pathway to a brighter future. His advice to others is simple: “With determination and discipline, you can achieve your dreams.” His story is a testament to the power of education and persistence in overcoming challenges.

Literacy opens a wide door to life. Help us keep that door open with your donation!

Thanks in large part to you, we can aid hundreds of students each year. Please continue your efforts to improve the lives of others by giving the gift of literacy.

http://www.lvaep.org/donate.html

The drop in adult literacy is an economic issue too

Story by Kimberly Adams, Sean McHenry, and Nicholas Guiang
Marketplace
December 30, 2024

In a survey of 31 countries, adult literacy largely stagnated or declined in the last decade, falling notably in the United States, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development found. And that, said Daphne Greenberg at Georgia State University, could have economic implications.

“The Coalition on Adult Basic Education, for example, cited that low rates of adult literacy actually can lead to a $1.4 trillion loss in gross domestic product,” said Greenberg, who is the director of the Adult Literacy Research Center at GSU.

Greenberg spoke with “Marketplace” host Kimberly Adams about what’s driving the decline and what’s being done to address the issue. The following is a transcript of their conversation.

Kimberly Adams: So a report came out recently that showed adult literacy in the U.S. is decreasing, but first of all, what actually counts as literacy?

Daphne Greenberg: That’s a very, very good question, because most people think of literacy as reading and sometimes they include writing, but we think of it as including a lot more. It includes numeracy, such as math. It includes adaptive problem solving, so that’s being able to use a computer and the internet and so forth to access information. But you know, there’s even a more general definition of literacy, and that is basically whatever an adult wants or needs in order to function to their full potential in the workplace, in society and in their family.

Adams: So how are we doing when it comes to literacy here in the United States compared with other countries, as well as how we did in the past?

Greenberg: Yeah, so unfortunately, we’re not doing as well as many people would think we are. About 28% of adults in the United States are reading at what’s considered Level 1 and below, which is really elementary skills. And we really do rank very lowly compared to other countries, but this isn’t a brand-new problem. We really have not focused enough on the skills of our adults in this country, and as a result, there are a lot of consequences, both for the individual and for society.

For the full story please copy and paste this link on your browser: https://bit.ly/4hiYDrg

Student Resources

Learning a new culture is more than studying a language. Tutoring is more than learning techniques. Our “Resources” webpage covers everything from legal matters, health care, & scholarships for immigrants, to professional development for tutors. Give us a look @: http://www.lvaep.org/students.html

Getting to Know Us
Victoria St. Ambrogio, Tutor
by Valeria Garrido

Victoria’s passion for helping immigrants find their voices stems from her own story. Born into a first-generation family in Essex County, New Jersey, all four of her grandparents immigrated to the United States as adults. This connection to immigrant experiences has shaped her appreciation for the resilience of those building new lives in a foreign land.

After a diverse career that included editing manuscripts, managing senior housing, and even building a geodesic dome house on Cape Cod, Victoria found herself searching for a way to make a meaningful impact. The path led her to Literacy Volunteers of America (LVA) in Essex County, where she trained as an ESL tutor—a role she had dreamed about for years.

“I believe I was the only one in my training class who had never been a teacher,” Victoria recalls. “But tutoring ESL was always in the back of my mind as something worth doing when life provided more time.”

Since completing her training in March, Victoria has been working with three students, each from a different country and with varying levels of English proficiency. Balancing the needs of learners with little or no formal schooling is a challenge, but she embraces it wholeheartedly. She finds joy in witnessing their progress, especially when they hold conversations in English or translate for one another.

One memorable moment came when a student, after collaborating with her to write his personal story, received the finished product. “He was so thrilled. He kept saying, ‘I love this, Teach, I love this so much!’” she shares. Although his work schedule later forced him to stop attending classes, he still keeps in touch, reflecting on his story with pride.

For Victoria, these moments make tutoring deeply rewarding. Helping her students discover their voices and share their journeys is a privilege. “Their stories are inspiring, and it’s an honor to support them in building new dreams and celebrating resilience,” she says.’

Victoria approaches each session with curiosity, patience, and a commitment to helping her students discover their voices.

In Victoria’s classroom, lessons go beyond language, offering students a path to confidence and connection.