Welcome to The Literacy Letter, LVSC’s E-Newsletter 

This year LVSC turns 40 and we will be celebrating all year long! Our
40-year history is possible because of you: our amazing volunteers, students, partners and supporters, past and present. We are grateful to all of you and hope you will celebrate with us throughout the year. Stay tuned for emails, Facebook posts, and events (virtual and hopefully in-person) to commemorate the life-changing work we have done, are doing, and will continue to do together. Thank you.
LVSC History: New Tutors Then and Now
In February 1981, LVSC hosted its very first tutor training workshop at the Community School for Leisure Learning. Founded by retired school teacher, Alma C. Liotta, our organization was initially called Literacy Volunteers of the Somerville Area. At that time, one-to-one tutoring took place in three libraries.
This February - 40 YEARS LATER - 21 new tutors completed our tutor training workshop on Zoom. In 2021, tutoring is conducted by video chat, email, and phone. In addition to one-to-one tutoring, services include English conversation groups and U.S. citizenship preparation classes. When we resume in-person programming, it will be in 10 local library branches.
While much has changed in 40 years, our mission of providing student-centered literacy tutoring for adults remains the same.

Do you have an LVSC story to share? The older the better! We'd love to hear from you: please give us a call (908-725-5430) or email today.
Student Spotlight: Meet Nadezda
My name is Nadezda. I previously lived in Moscow, Russia before immigrating to the U.S. 14 years ago. I have never studied English in Russia. Before moving, I attended 2 months of accelerated courses, then I began learning the language on my own. 3 years ago I found LVSC courses. After a few months of study, I was able to pass the citizenship test.

The advantage of taking LVSC courses is that you gain the ability to learn the language with native speakers. It helps you to understand the language by sound, which helps to correct your pronunciations.
 
It is also important that teachers offer real-life situations when learning a language, which allows students to expand their vocabulary and then use it in everyday life. I especially enjoy learning the idioms that are widely used colloquially by Americans.
 
I am impressed by the acquaintance with American history, culture, and traditions through people born in the USA.
 
In addition to what I previously said, I would like to share my experience with the atmosphere of the classes. The teachers manage to create a comfortable environment for all students, one in which they are less exposed to stress, which allows students to more easily absorb information and take an active part in the learning process.
 
With gratitude to all LVSC volunteers, Nadezda
Sandra's Journey to Citizenship
As told to tutor Tammy W.
“Grandma, come on, time to study!”

I came to the United States from Costa Rica with my daughter on April 16, 1999. I joined my son who was a citizen. I needed to work very hard to support my family and did not have time to learn English.
 
Two years ago, I decided it was time for me to become a citizen. I knew I needed to improve my English so that I could pass the test. I took the beginner’s class with Susan P. in Bound Brook and then worked with my tutor, Tammy, until the pandemic closed the library last March.

I work full-time, but I would study every chance I could. I took citizenship classes in Somerville and Flemington at night. I listened to a citizenship CD while I was driving. My family helped me on the weekends. My grandchildren would say to me: “Grandma, come on, time to study!” We would sit down at the table and they would help me every Saturday and Sunday.

It took me 18 months of taking classes and studying before I was ready to take the test. I was so nervous—my hands were shaking. The immigration officer was so nice, and I understood everything he said!

I am so happy to be an American citizen. Last month I needed to return to Costa Rica to help my mother, and it was so easy to go through immigration with my new passport. But the most important thing for me as a U.S. citizen­: I can vote next time for president! 
Virtual Tutors Report on Student Progress
H. joined Morristown Hospital as a medical technician right before COVID hit, and has been a frontline worker. We worked on a lot of medical terminology to help her at her job. She recently got her first performance evaluation – very high marks!

F. made a doctor’s appointment on the phone without asking for her daughter’s help.

L. is working towards becoming a server at the restaurant where she currently busses tables. She is improving her conversation skills, vocabulary, and familiarity with the menu.

M. learned how to join a Google classroom and opened and wrote on a Google doc.

N. prepared a resume and found employment!
Welcome to Snehal Batra, LVSC's Newest Board Member
Snehal is an Indian-American attorney with a passion for immigration law which derives from being an immigrant herself. Having immigrated to the U.S. as a child, Snehal understands firsthand the many difficulties and challenges that immigrants commonly experience while engaged in the U.S. immigration process. She says, “I am excited to join the LVSC Board as we have many common synergies. My desire is to carry out the board’s mission to assist individuals effectively communicate in English so they can participate fully and engage in our community.”

Snehal is a Managing Attorney at NPZ Law Group, PC, located in Raritan, NJ; she is an immigration attorney licensed in New Jersey since 2001. Snehal earned a Juris Doctorate (JD) from Rutgers University School of Law in Newark, NJ and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) with Honors in Political Science from Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ. An active member of the community, Snehal belongs to several legal associations as well as the Branchburg Rotary and Somerset County Business Partnership. Snehal is married to her law school sweetheart, Rajiv Batra, and they have two daughters and a dachshund named Juno.
Virtual Webinars Teach English and Pop Culture
LVSC tutor Dennis and daughter Denise are lifelong football fans. LVSC students, tutors and staff enjoyed their webinar, Football 101, where we learned the rules, the rivalries, and how to participate in America's unofficial holiday, Super Bowl Sunday. 

After the big game, Denise shared her expertise during the webinar Conversations about Commercials. We learned about marketing and advertising and then watched and discussed six of this year's top Super Bowl Commercials. 
Virtual Book Clubs
LVSC tutor-student book clubs are going strong. This ambitious tutor-student pair read The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Many thanks to Steve & Deb Cummins who donated an assortment of new books at the start of the pandemic: what a wonderful gift. Says one LVSC student, "I can feel my English is coming along nicely because of all the reading I do. I really do love reading...It's like dreaming with my open eyes or traveling without leaving the house."
Make an Anniversary Donation
Your donation to our year-long celebration honors LVSC's 40-year history and helps to secure our future. All proceeds benefit LVSC's free adult literacy programs.

Benefactor: $5,000
Partner: $2,500
Champion: $1,000
Patron: $500
Supporter: $100
Friend: Give What You Can

Donations can be made as a one-time gift or throughout the year as a monthly donation. You can also honor a special volunteer or student
with a tribute gift. Thank you.
Thank You to Our Anniversary Donors

Benefactor: The Luis and Maria DaSilva Charitable Fund
Patron: Aubrey Flanagan