How long have you been volunteering with TLA?
I have been volunteering for around 10 months now.
Why did you decide to volunteer at TLA?
My mom (Teresita) successfully got her high school equivalency (HSE/GED) diploma at TLA, and she told me that volunteers were needed. I wanted to be able to help others learn English, especially because I know what it’s like to be in their shoes. Spanish was my first language. When my mom came to the U.S., she worked hard to learn English, and I had to adjust to speaking English at school. I know it can be hard to learn a new language sometimes, but I hope I can help people realize that with enough hard work, it’s possible!
What has been the best part of your experience so far?
I think the best part of this experience is getting to practice speaking Spanish/French while also helping students practice their English, just knowing that I’m making an impact on the community is amazing. I also really enjoy hearing about everyone’s stories because the students all come from many different countries and have interesting experiences to share.
Do you have a favorite volunteer role/task with our organization?
I like volunteering in the classroom, I think engaging with the students directly helps me get to know more about them.
What have you learned about yourself and others through volunteering at The Literacy Alliance?
I think that volunteering here has opened my mind to other people’s experiences. I have learned so much about other cultures and languages, and I think that everyone should have the opportunity to gain exposure to the world at some point in their life. I remember we had a culture day once, and students brought food from their countries. I loved trying new foods, it was a memorable experience.
What would you say if you were to encourage someone else to volunteer with our organization?
I would encourage others to volunteer at TLA because you can truly see the impact that you have on students. It makes me proud to watch them make progress. I never would have met such great students if I hadn’t joined TLA!
What is one of your favorite books you would suggest others to read?
I really like The Hunger Games series, and I loved watching the movies growing up. My favorites are Catching Fire and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
Is there anything else you’d like to include?
I’d like to thank TLA for letting me join this team, I love volunteering here!
