Literacy Nassau Offers Training Workshops To Nassau County Residents

 (Long Island, N.Y.) Tina Sanacore, Executive Director of Literacy Nassau, invites Nassau County residents interested in helping to change the lives of others to sign up as a volunteer for Literacy Nassau, a volunteer tutoring service that is free for adults in Nassau County who seek to improve their reading, writing, or English speaking skills.

“20% of Nassau County adults struggle with low literacy and daily activities many of us take for granted, such as reading dosage instructions on prescriptions, completing job applications or having a conversation with their child’s teacher,” states Ms. Sanacore. “Through personalized instruction, volunteers help adult learners achieve their goals, assisting their students toward self-sufficiency and personal success.”

Ms. Sanacore notes that finding quality volunteers is the number one challenge faced by Literacy Nassau. Several hundred adults are waiting to be matched with a tutor. Ms. Sanacore continues, “The uniqueness of Literacy Nassau’s program model is the learner-centered approach tutors take with students. Students meet with their tutors at local facilities, such as libraries, for one-on-one or small group sessions, in an effort to provide the best quality of tutorship possible.” Tutors are trained and certified by Literacy Nassau. Volunteers are asked to pay a materials fee of $43 for textbooks provided by Literacy Nassau. For additional information or to enroll in an upcoming workshop, call 516.867.3580 or email mail@literacynassau.org.

2009 SUMMER/EARLY FALL TUTOR TRAINING WORKSHOP SCHEDULE:

DATES: Mondays/Wednesdays – July 13, 2009 through July 27, 2009 (5 sessions)
TIME: 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM (includes 30 minute lunch break)
PLACE: Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock, 43 Shelter Rock Road, Manhasset, NY 11030
FOLLOW UP SESSION: Monday, September 14, 2009, 10:00 AM – Noon at Literacy Nassau Office

DATES: Wednesdays – September 9, 2009 through October 7, 2009 (5 sessions)
TIME: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
PLACE: Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock, 43 Shelter Rock Road, Manhasset, NY 11030
FOLLOW UP SESSION: Wednesday, November 18, 2009, 10:00 AM – Noon at Literacy Nassau Office

ABOUT LITERACY NASSAU:
The value provided to the community, and the success of Literacy Nassau’s services, are best summed up by the organization’s students and tutors:

“I have been doing good. I can read some words. I know how to write my own address. And I know how to write my own phone number.” – Adult Learner Colita

“I feel happy coming here for reading and writing. I have a good time with my teacher. This helps me too. When we meet I use a wipe-off board, picture dictionary, notebook, English workbook and citizenship book. Now I know more. I read with my children. I am not afraid to try now.” – Adult Learner Leticia

“Upon retiring from a long and happy teaching career, I joined Literacy Nassau (then LVA) in January 1990… thinking about these last 19 years, I am pleased to have been part of Literacy. I have had the pleasure of helping to prepare other adults for tutoring, and the self-satisfaction of helping individuals rise to a better functioning level. Moreover, there is the distinct pleasure of having found many wonderful friends and co-volunteers throughout the years, for which I am profoundly grateful!” – Tutor Mary Koenig

PHOTO: Left to right: Baldwin resident Joyce Deitch, 2009 Volunteer of the Year/ ESOL Testing Coordinator and Tina Sanacore, Literacy Nassau Executive Director