Sandra Hopkins |
The ability to read and write English is a basic requirement for holding a job, shopping for groceries or just getting a drivers license, but one in twenty five adults in this country can’t read. One in five have problems with literacy that affect their job. But for those who are willing to learn, Literacy Volunteers of America can help.
Sandra Hopkins, a tutor for the Literacy Volunteers of America in the Mid Ohio Valley, was introduced to the organization four years ago by a friend who was a wholehearted supporter. Soon, Sandy, too, had taken the organization and its participants to heart.
Although many adults who come for help have simply slipped through the educational system or didn’t get the help they needed to become readers, Sandy works with students who are learning English as a second language. “My first student was from Vietnam. It was such a gratifying experience, I kept adding other students.” Right now she has four students, from Syria, India and two from Mexico.
She says, “Literacy and communication go hand in hand. Often these people are in the shadows. We don’t have interaction because we don’t speak to them and they don’t speak to us. Their inability to communicate leads to isolation.” Sandy realized that despite their various cultures, the isolation was something shared by all the students learning English as a second language. “Because of the language barrier, everything was off limits to them. Some are married to area residents, but they have no peer group, they were shut out.”
She had an idea- getting all the ESL students and their families together, to make their own group. “So we started the LEE group, for Let’s Enjoy English. The first meeting, everyone brought a dish from their native country. Now, we get together every few weeks to do something that encourages English, like go to a restaurant and order from the menu or watch a silent movie with captions. When we’re all together, we look like a little United Nations!”
Sandy has helped three of her students get their drivers license and is proud to be helping all four work toward American citizenship. “The next goal is to get their reading and writing skills to an acceptable level for employment.”
Literary Volunteers work with adults, usually for an hour each week, meeting at the library or other public place. Sandy says, “Most students are in their 20’s, 30’s and 40’s, but sometimes we get grandparents. After years of pretense and just getting by, they want to be able to read a story to their grandchild.”
Most tutors have only one student and work with that student until he or she develops the basic skills needed. Sandy has taken on more because, “Bringing people who have lived in the darkness of illiteracy into the light of comprehension is the most rewarding experience I’ve ever known.”
Sandy discovered what it was like to be illiterate a few years ago when she visited her daughter, who was stationed in Holland. “I couldn’t read the phone book, or understand the directions. I couldn’t communicate! I tried to buy butter but ended up with chocolate cream cheese.” It was an unfamiliar sensation for a woman who teaches personal enrichment classes on creativity and writing.
Sandy also serves as a board member of the LVA-MOV and welcomes new tutors. “We have about 25 active tutors who have received video training and worked with a tutor trainer. A lot depends on the persons ability to learn, but we have assisted over 100 people in the area.”
An Erie, Pennsylvania transplant, Sandy came to Parkersburg just after high school, attending WVU-P and Fairmont. In her junior year, she lost the sight of one eye, from complications of what was later diagnosed as MS. Though her vision returned, reading for long periods is still painful, so she organizes her teaching time carefully. Last year, she was recognized for her literacy efforts with a letter of commendation and the Good Neighbor Award of Excellence for Outstanding Community Service. “It was a surprise, but I think I’m the fortunate one to have become part of this organization.”
Between her board member responsibilities, teaching at the Manor, preparing lessons for her students, and the full time care of her mother who recently suffered a stroke, Sandy readily admits, “I’m tired at the end of the day! But, I wouldn’t trade anything for what I have. I see these people going away happier because of what I have been able to put before them.”
The Literacy Volunteers of the Mid Ohio Valley service Wood, Wirt and Ritchie Counties. For help, training or more information, contact 304- 420 4613 or visit the Literacy Volunteers office in Parkersburg/Wood County Library, 3100 Emerson Avenue, Parkersburg. To contact Literacy Volunteers for Marshall and Ohio counties, call 304-233-1882.
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