Literacy Volunteers Partner With Somerset County Library To Serve The Community

From Literacy Volunteers of Somerset County: Earlier this year, Literacy Volunteers of Somerset County reported that, in one year, more than 350 students received LVSC free services: 236 adults received weekly tutoring from 184 volunteer tutors; more than 100 students participated in Conversation Groups; and 20 students completed U.S. Citizenship Preparation Classes. In all, volunteers provided more than 8,000 hours of free literacy instruction. And that’s just the beginning.

“There are many adults in our community who are eager to improve their English literacy and become an integrated part of the community,” said Aimee Lam, LVSC executive director. “Each has a different reason to seek literacy instruction: some want financial independence but need better literacy skills on the job, others want to read to their child or grandchild, and the vast majority want to be able to communicate confidently. We are proud to help these hard working individuals and are grateful to our volunteers who commit the time and energy to provide literacy instruction. To meet the local need, LVSC plans to train a greater number of volunteer tutors in 2017 while increasing Conversation Group and U.S. Citizenship Preparation class offerings in county libraries.”

LVSC has announced that the organization will once again partner with Somerset County Library System of New Jersey to provide services to the community. Services will include English Conversation Groups, Become a Literacy Tutor information sessions, and a U.S. Citizenship Preparation Class.

“The English conversation groups and citizenship classes led by LVSC and hosted by our libraries are helping new Americans integrate into our communities,” said Marcela Dunham, SCLSNJ system programming coordinator. “By giving these adult learners the gift of language, they are now better able to communicate with their children’s teachers, as well as successfully navigate doctors’ visits and job interviews. By partnering with LVSC, we’re welcoming new Americans into our libraries, opening a new world of knowledge and opportunity to experience everything the libraries have to offer to them, while creating positive experiences and lasting bonds with tutors, fellow students, and the community in general. We look forward to collaborating with LVSC in 2017 to develop new classes and initiatives to serve the community and help newcomers achieve their dreams of a better life for themselves and their families.”

LVSC programs hosted at SCLSNJ’s library branches:

Become a Literacy Tutor

LVSC invites you to become a literacy tutor and change a person's life! LVSC will be hosting information sessions at:

• SCLSNJ’s Bridgewater Library branch, located at 1 Vogt Drive in Bridgewater on January 9, 10-11 a.m. & January 12, 6-7 p.m.
• SCLSNJ’s Hillsborough Library branch, located at 379 South Branch Road in Hillsborough on January 17, 10-11 a.m. & January 18, 6-7 p.m.

English Conversation Groups

Practice speaking English in a friendly setting. Basic English skills are required. Participate at:

• SCLSNJ’s Warren Twp Library branch, located at 42 Mountain Blvd. in Warren Twp. on Mondays, 10-11:30 a.m. (January 9 - March 13)
• SCLSNJ’s Somerville Library branch, located at 35 West End Ave. in Somerville on Mondays, 6:30-8 p.m. (January 9 - March 13) & *NEW DAY* Thursdays, 10-11:30 a.m. (January 12 - March 16)
• SCLSNJ’s North Plainfield Memorial Library branch, located at 6 Rockview Ave. in North Plainfield on Mondays, 7-8:30 p.m. (January 9 - March 13)
• SCLSNJ’s Hillsborough Library branch, located at 379 South Branch Rd. in Hillsborough on Mondays, 7-8:30 p.m. (January 9 - March 13) & Wednesdays, 10-11:30 a.m. (January 11 - March 15)
• SCLSNJ’s Bound Brook Memorial Library branch, located at 402 E High St. in Bound Brook on Tuesdays, 12:30-2 p.m. (January 10 - March 14) & *NEW* Wednesdays, 7-8:30 p.m. (January 11 - March 15; no class on January 18)
• SCLSNJ’s Bridgewater Library branch, located at 1 Vogt Dr. in Bridgewater on Wednesdays, 10-11:30 a.m. (January 11 - March 15)
• SCLSNJ’s Manville Library branch, located at 100 South 10th Ave. in Manville on Thursdays, 1-2:30 p.m. & 6:30-8 p.m. (January 12 - March 16)
• SCLSNJ’s Mary Jacobs Memorial Library branch, located at 64 Washington St. in Rocky Hill on Fridays, 12-1:30 p.m. (January 13 - March 17)

U.S. Citizenship Preparation Class

This free 16-hour course, taught in two-hour sessions over eight weeks, focuses on the civics, history and vocabulary needed to pass the citizenship test and interview. This class is taught by Literacy Volunteers of Somerset County. All materials will be supplied. Registration required. This program will be held at SCLSNJ’s Bridgewater Library branch, located at 1 Vogt Drive in Bridgewater, Saturdays, January 21 - March 11, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

For more information or to register for these programs, visit SCLSNJ.org or contact your local SCLSNJ library branch.

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