Volunteers Stories 2026-27
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.
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.
Jonathan MoreiraWhen Jonathan first arrived at Literacy Volunteers of America in the summer of 2021, he was not looking for a life-changing experience. He was a high school student who needed volunteer hours for graduation and wanted a glimpse of what the working world might feel like.
What he found was a small office carrying a large responsibility. Jonathan returned for three summers, volunteering in 2021, 2022, and 2023. His work was mostly behind the scenes. He sorted files, organized paperwork, and called students to remind them to complete their registration. These were not the kinds of tasks that receive applause, but they mattered. Staff later told him that many of the students he contacted came into the office and completed the process. That was enough to understand that even routine work can change what happens next for someone. He did not work directly as a tutor, but he saw the relief and appreciation of students who were able to register, especially those who received scholarships covering their registration costs. He also watched the staff sustain the organization during a demanding period. At the time, the office team was small, and Jonathan remembers seeing Cristhian, Jorge, and Marisol keep the program moving with limited resources. He was struck by Cristhian’s persistence in seeking grants when earlier funding was no longer available. Jonathan saw leadership not as a title but as a willingness to keep solving problems so that others could continue to receive help. His volunteer experience also carried a personal meaning. After 18 months of quarantine, returning to a workplace helped Jonathan rediscover the rhythm of being around other people. The routine, responsibility, and collaboration eased him back into daily life and helped him regain confidence in his abilities. He shares that the opportunity helped him through a difficult emotional period in early 2021, for which he remains deeply grateful. There were challenges. Calling people who spoke neither English nor Spanish could be difficult, especially when Jonathan was trying to explain registration requirements clearly. Still, he kept making the calls, knowing that each reminder could help someone take the next step toward learning English. Today, Jonathan is no longer volunteering regularly in the office, but he continues to refer prospective students and others interested in the program to LVA. He hopes students and tutors know that he tried his best to support the work in every way he could. His contribution was quiet: a completed phone call, an organized file, a smoother registration process. But organizations like LVA depend on exactly that kind of care. Sometimes helping people begins long before a class starts. Sometimes it begins with someone making sure the office is ready when they arrive. |
|