Two Essex County Residents Honored at Literacy NJ Conference

Two Essex County residents were honored recently for their efforts to advance adult literacy at Literacy NJ’s annual conference.

Literacy NJ -- which provides free adult literacy programs and U.S. citizenship classes in eight New Jersey counties -- presented the awards at its 2017 Literacy for Life Conference at Mercer County College in West Windsor.

The event on April 22 brought together 200 students, tutors, adult educators and board members from across the state for a day of professional development.

“Our annual Literacy for Life Conference is an opportunity for students, tutors, educators and board members to learn new skills, share experiences, and celebrate the success of our students,” Literacy NJ CEO Elizabeth Gloeggler said. “It is always energizing and exciting to spend the day with students and educators who share a common goal: improving adult literacy in New Jersey. Our participants tell us they leave not only with new ideas but also inspired and with a renewed sense of purpose.”

Adult learner Maritza Chang of Belleville received Literacy NJ’s 2017 Student Excellence Award, and Perrine Robinson-Geller of Millburn received the Harry van Houten Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Maritza Chang spoke very little English when she came to the U.S. from her native Peru a year and a half ago. Ordering at a fast food restaurant was a challenge. Now Maritza is an advanced-level ESL student and has gotten a new job.

She accomplished this by attending ESL classes for eight hours each week at LVA Essex & Passaic Counties’ joint program with Berkeley College in Newark, enrolling in Montclair State University’s ESL classes, and meeting with two LVA tutors for four hours a week. It’s not unusual for Maritza to study English until 2 a.m. or later, after her two daughters have fallen asleep and long after her classes end.

Several months ago, the Bloomfield Public Library recruited Maritza to work at the front desk and help patrons borrow books, make inquiries, and obtain and renew their library cards. The job has boosted Maritza’s self-confidence and brought an additional source of income to her family.

Maritza was the driving force behind her family’s relocation to the United States and has helped ease the transition for her children and her husband. Impressed with Maritza’s progress, her husband also enrolled in the LVA program and has two tutors as well. Now with her family settled, Maritza’s long-term plans are to obtain the needed certification to become a child psychologist, her profession in Peru.

Maritza has also volunteered in the LVA’s office, where her knowledge of Spanish and English were helpful in fielding phone inquiries, registering students, and making appointments for tests.

Perrine Robinson-Geller is a devoted advocate of adult literacy services. She joined the board of Literacy Volunteers of New Jersey in 2010 and has generously shared her expertise and her time with the Literacy NJ network.

Perrine served two terms as board president and provided invaluable leadership as the organization began to explore a merger with its affiliates. Perrine never lost sight of the primary goal of expanding and improving services. After the merger, Perrine served as a member of the founding board of Literacy NJ and then as its first board president.

During this transition, Perrine chaired the strategic planning committee and played a key role on the governance committee. Perrine has a master’s in education from Kent State University and 30 years of experience as a program coordinator, instructor, trainer and training coordinator, and researcher.

Other honors at the conference included: the Alice M. Leppert Award for Outstanding Affiliate, which was presented to Literacy Volunteers of Salem/Cumberland; Susan George of Howell received the 2017 Award for Tutor Excellence. An additional 2017 Student Excellence Award was presented to Justin Farro of West Long Branch.

Literacy NJ is grateful to the conference sponsors, including Carpenters Contractor Trust NY/NJ; NJ Natural Gas; NJEA; Withum, Smith & Brown; Thor Labs; Maser Consulting P.A.; and Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters.

Literacy NJ’s statewide network provides free instruction in reading, writing, math and speaking English to more than 5,700 adults each year throughout New Jersey. Founded in 1979, Literacy NJ and its affiliates engage, train and support 2,000 volunteers who offer these services, including one-to-one tutoring and classes in adult ESL, GED, and U.S. citizenship.