LVGW News for You
Spring 2017
"Our attitude towards immigration reflects our faith in the American ideal. We have always believed it possible for men and women who start at the bottom to rise as far as the talent and energy allow. Neither race nor place of birth should affect their chances." Robert F. Kennedy

Our mission at Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester is providing English language skills to help people thrive. Teaching English language skills to our adult students is the primary educational goal, secondary is cultural norms, civic engagement, traditions, history, humanity and community. We will continue to support this mission, our students and our community and will advocate along with your support to meet these goals. 

16th Annual  Scrabble Scrimmage  Tournament
 Saturday, May 6, 2017 
The Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester Scrabble Scrimma ge Tournam ent will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2017 from 5:30pm - 8:30pm at  Worcester State University . Bring together a team of 3-6  people to compete and challenge our past winners while having a great time in the name of literacy education!

Last year's  first place team, Bay State Scrabblers, would l ike to
challenge your group  for the 2017 title!  A fun night of Scrabble competition, food, pri zes and drawings.
Click here  to learn more or register today. 
Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winning teams but all have a great time!  Click here to learn about Sponsorship Opportunities.

     Our Leadership Sponsor
Welcome to Our Fifteen Newly Trained Tutor Grads! 

Our January 2017 class of new volunteer tutors have completed an intensive18-hours of ESL Tutor training! They are now providing One-to-One English language skills to their new ESL Students! We and their students are very grateful!

The next six-week Volunteer Tutor Training is scheduled for June 6, 8, 13, 15, 20 ad 22nd, 2017, (Tuesdays/Thursdays from 6-9pm.) Space is limited-register early! 

Our student wait list for an ESL tutor is constant. We currently have 40-50 students waiting for a tutor match to help develop their English language skills-especially conversation!  Please visit our  website   to learn more and download an application today. 
Two New Board Members in 2017!
Two new community leaders have recently joined the Board of Directors in 2017. Please welcome our newest Board Members Peter Rawinski of Commerce Bank and Treasurer, Anne Deedy of Mirick, O'Connell, Demallie & Ougee, LLP.  Visit  our website for a complete list of Board of Directors.
Thank You to our Supporters 
Thank you for your support with our recent Annual Appeal this December. Our individual donors, corporations, board members and friends helped us raise just over $3,000. 

THANK YOU to our top five foundation gifts and new supporters in FY17: 
  • Greater Worcester Community Foundation- total of $25,000
  • The Fletcher Foundation - $12,000
  • Albert W. Rice Foundation - $10,000
  • The George F. And Sybil H. Fuller Foundation - $10,000
  • Literacy Volunteers of Mass (DESE) - $6,738 to date ($19k total budgeted if state budget is not cut!) ****  Share your LVGW stories with your state representatives to communicate the need for funding adult literacy education-we need your voice with planned budget cuts in the state budget! Learn more at  Massachusetts Coalition of Adult Education
    and register for updates. 
New Foundation or Community Funders in FY17:
Unum, Westborough Civic Club, Worcester Rotary Club - a combined total of $5,000 to date. THANK YOU!

English as Second Language Courses
Our 12-week winter semester kicked off on Monday, January 23rd with several of the 14 courses near capacity.  Near 50 students enrolled the first day of registration-higher than last year!  Classes that were cancelled due to snow storms will be added onto the end of the semester with a goal of meeting 12 weeks of classes per course-most courses should end the week of April 24th. 

We expanded our teaching staff capability by adding two new teachers, Tom Riordan and Hossam Elsayyad. They both bring international teaching experience and are instructing one course per week. Please welcome them in joining our outstanding teacher ranks at an upcoming event!

Our Summer Semester Registration starts on 
May 15th. Visit the website in April for course listings!
 
Tools for Learning Needed
Education has a price but we know the benefits outweigh the cost-please let us know if you'd like to support ESL adult education with a donation for our needed supplies:
  • Picture Dictionary to help our One-to-One Beginner level Students - $20 
  • Ear buds for Rosetta Stone - $25 class  
  • News to Go Weekly ESL Newsprint subscriptions 10 subscriptions are shared with 600 learners - $36 per subscription 
  • Teacher and Tutor Resources for our LVGW Office Library-$10 or 25 
Hundreds of students each year benefit from our ESL Courses and unique One-to-One Tutoring Program. Six-hundred students were served at Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester thanks to so many of you!

Thank you!

Contact:
Literacy Volunteers of Greater Worcester
3 Salem Square, Suite 332
Worcester, MA 01608
www.lvgw.org ~ info@lvgw.org ~ 508-754-8056