LVGW Quarterly Newsletter

March 2025

Dear friends,

Spring is a time for new beginnings and this year LVGW has a lot to celebrate. We're excited to welcome a new administrative assistant, 2 new board members and 11 newly trained ESOL tutors.

We're grateful to community partners like Holy Cross who continue to provide us with quality volunteers, and we look forward to working with other nonprofits like Catholic Charities to support adult learners in the Worcester area.

Our Spring semester of ESOL classes is underway with over 110 active students, and an additional 10+ students have been matched with a volunteer tutor since the start of the year.

Thanks to the generosity of individual donors and charitable organizations, our teachers and trained volunteers are able to continue providing life-changing educational services at this critical moment.

Ping,

Pingsheng Chen

Executive Director

pchen@lvgw.org

LVGW Spring Field Trip

A Visit to the Museum of Worcester

April 19th from 12pm - 2pm FREE

ESOL Classes & Group Tutoring

Requesting Volunteers for Catholic Charities

LVGW is launching group tutoring for 8 beginner/intermediate students enrolled in a work training for seniors program with Catholic Charities.

We need 2 more tutors to support this initiative! Contact our program manager to learn more: AAndrews@lvgw.org

Where: Catholic Charities (10 Hammond Street Worcester MA)

When: Tuesdays 11-1

Duration: min. 4 months

MIRA Resources ("Know Your Rights")

ATTENTION:

From the Mass. Immigration & Refugee Advocacy Coalition.

Whether you’re a U.S. citizen, a green card holder, a student on a visa, or undocumented,

you have legal rights.

MIRA provides resource for advocates, service providers and allies who want to help ensure that immigrants know their rights in different contexts.

https://miracoalition.org/

Partnering with Holy Cross

Meet Our HC Intern

Maile Sit is a Senior Psychology major and Chinese Studies minor at the College of the Holy Cross. She grew up in San Mateo, CA and recently moved to New York! After graduation, Maile plans to pursue a career in academia researching the relationship between racial disparities and psychological outcomes. In her free time, she loves to watch new movies and crochet!

Meet Our HC Volunteer

Caitlin E. O’Brien is a senior at the College of the Holy Cross, majoring in History and Political Science. With experience in nonprofit development, research, and digital engagement, she has interned with the Norman B. Leventhal Map Center and Alray Scholars and participated in her school's Non-Profit Careers Conference. Passionate about community service, she has volunteered with the Mercy Center and Worcester Public Schools. She can be seen hanging out with her dog, Blue, or reading in her free time!

Welcome LVGW's Newest Board Members

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

"In 1995, my family and I immigrated to the USA. We arrived in Boston, MA and relocated to Worcester. I had a Degree in Literature, but I didn't speak English well. I worked where I could, and began taking English classes. I joined the Worcester Public Library to improve my English language. After working as a teacher for five years, I then applied for a job at the WPL. I studied librarianship and I received my MLS Degree from the University of Rhode Island. I work at the WPL as a Youth Services Librarian."

"My journey with LVGW began as an ESOL student, where I received great support through the ESOL classes and tutoring program. These resources helped me improve my English and gain a better understanding of American culture. Later, I volunteered to assist with the ESOL classes. As an immigrant with limited English communication skills, I understand the challenges that immigrants face and recognize the important role LVGW plays in supporting them."

Celebrating Literacy