Testimonials

Janet Sorlin-Davis:
My experiences tutoring have been a real eye-opener for me. I have worked with Asian and Bosnian refugees and have been humbled by their life histories, coping skills and determination to become a part of our society. The most interesting part has been that I did not need to be an expert at teaching reading. Just my training and presence alone created a mentoring atmosphere that encouraged life changes in people.

Student M.S.:
LVA-PW has been an answer to my prayers. My tutor, Peggy, has been the best teacher/tutor I have ever had. I have been working with Peggy since Nov 4, 1999. She is so patient with me. I have never felt embarrassed or stupid when I am working with her. She has worked with me on various subjects. During the last year or so, I have been taking some college courses. If it were not for Peggy, I would not have hung in there to completion. She helped me with writing assignments, accounting, and an English course. One reason I originally came to LVA-PW was because my reading comprehension was really poor. Peggy encourages me to read anything. Just read.

Student D.J.:
LVA-PW has helped me a lot. It gave me the opportunity to read on a 7th grade level. When I first started this program I was reading on a 4th grade level. Thanks to LAV-PW. It is very helpful. Thanks to Janet and Laura and everybody that gave all their time and effort. Right now I am trying to get my GED, soon.

Tutor Shanon:
I started volunteering this year for LVA-PW because I feel that everyone should be offered opportunities to learn to read speak and write English effectively enough to gain rewarding experiences in literature, other media and society in general. Tutoring has provided me with a sense of accomplishment through the achievements of my student. In addition, it has given me great satisfaction by realizing the improvement of someone else’s ability to communicate. I truly appreciate the opportunity of tutoring offered through LVA-PW.

Student B.L.:
I love very much the Literacy Volunteers of America classes. I have been in this classes almost 1.5 years. I like this class a lot. The teacher is very patient. All the tutors are volunteers and have a lot of love. My English is much better now than before. It helps me read the book faster and understand better. It also helps in my job and also helps me to go see a doctor and communicate with them. Also helps me to help my daughter with her homework too. It’s just improved my life a lot.

Tutor Susan:
I truly believe in the importance of adult education. In order for adults to be productive citizens and good parents, they must be able to read. In our community, LVA-PW provides that valuable service.

Tutor Carmen:
I am 58 years old, helping a 51 year old learn how to read. I am amazed she has been able to raise 2 children with the reading level she has lived with. I have been very fortunate over my lifetime to have had many opportunities to obtain a wonderful education she has not. And she is one of many individuals in our society.

Carmen’s student "in her words":
She is more confident in reading things. She feels more comfortable when she picks up an article and tries to read it. She does not get frustrated. She tries more and it is helping her. She still needs help with the larger words and sounding them out, but she is determined to keep working.

Tutor Cynthia:
Illiteracy is a horrible barrier. It was not until I started working with my students that I fully understood how the inability to read places barriers on such quotidian activities as filling out DMV forms, applying for a job, searching for a new apartment or simply understanding a newspaper article about your community. Improving the opportunities for motivated Prince William residents benefits us all.

Tutor Judy:
My student is a Russian woman with a 13 year old son and married to an American she met in Russia. She was a trained cosmetologist, but her English was so poor that she rarely left her house. Once she became involved with LVA-PW, she obtained her driver’s license, obtained a part-time job as a shampoo girl, opened her own bank account, worked with a tutor to study for her VA cosmetology license, attended classes at NOVA with homework help from her tutor, learned how to use the computer at the LVA-PW office, passed her cosmetology test and obtained her license, and is now employed in a very upscale hair salon and makes a very good salary.

Student E.D.:
I still can not believe that I passed the GED test. I know if I did it, it was because of the good services of LVA-PW, which through it I found a nice, patient, and very qualified tutor to help me improve my reading and writing skills. That success gives me a lot of confidence, and my children are getting something out of it also. I can read to them without too much difficulties like I use to have. Thank you for your services.

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