Dear Friend,
On any given Saturday, stop by the farmers market at IX Park, and you will see Literacy Volunteers’ students hard at work growing their businesses. Gizem, of Mila Cakes and Bakes, is one of them. The line at her stall of homemade cakes, pastries, and pies grows longer every week. While her baking and business acumen are strong, she knows that improving her English is the key to taking her business to the next level.
“Tutoring helps,” Gizem says, “because I speak in English all Saturday. [After tutoring], I am more confident in speaking.”
Her tutor Erin agrees, “Just practicing, saying things is important, and I’ve seen her get more comfortable talking. She’s just lovely. Even if we weren’t working together, we’d hang out.”
The two easily laugh and smile. It’s clear they love having conversations together. “I thank Erin for everything because she doesn’t just teach me English. She helps me with everything about the USA or in Charlottesville. For example, if [I need help with] kitchen things, I ask Erin, and she helps me.” She continues, “I think this is a perfect match.”
This is what Literacy Volunteers does: the bonds formed from one-on-one tutoring fosters literacy empowerment. Learning comes best when it comes from a place of trust. After all, it’s easier to ask questions, to try something new, or to show up to learn when you do it with a friend.
It takes courage to open a new business in a new country. It takes courage to speak with customers in a new language. Students like Gizem believe in their hope for a better future, and they know that future success is dependent on literacy. The work that they do at Literacy Volunteers is a critical step in building the business of their future.
From now until Giving Tuesday on December 2, Literacy Volunteers is hoping to raise $3,000. This amount of money will support two students for an entire year. Your support today helps students like Gizem continue to thrive.
“It’s fun to get to know a new person,” Erin says. “It’s fun to see Gizem’s confidence grow. It’s amazing to see her business absolutely take off.”
