To the Staff of Literacy Council of Brown County:
From:  Eduardo Gara

It is with great appreciation that I write this letter to show my appreciation for what you have done to help me to learn more about the English Language, thus helping me further to complete the Truck Driving Course I completed at Fox Valley Technical College last week.

Special thanks to Ann Dufek, my teacher, who was very patient with me and remained calm with me when I know it was difficult sometimes because I was not moving along as I should. She is a very good teacher and an asset to the program. She went a little further to give my wife tips on how to help me at home.

I am happy to say that today I have my CDL License with Hazzards, Doubles and Tripples, and Tanker endorsements. When I came to Green Bay one year ago I realized that with all that I knew, without English and going back to school to get a certificate in the US, I would have it rough here getting a job. I did not like the way some people treated me when I went on a job interview. When I made the decision to get training, someone recommended that I come in for the program and I am glad that I did. This program helped me and I hope it continues to grow because I am sure there are others out there who would benefit from what you do.

Thanks for all you did and best wishes for the future.

Sincerely,

 

Beating the Odds

John (not his real name) wears a NASCAR jacket and trucker's cap. He bowls in a league and loves deer-hunting and fishing. He is married and the proud grandpa of a new baby granddaughter. He worked for 36 years for the same company -- just a typical 57-year-old guy from Northeastern Wisconsin.

But not really! John has low basic literacy skills and has great difficulty with reading, writing, and spelling. As a child, he had rheumatic fever and was bedridden for five years. When he finally returned to school, he had missed out on essential literacy development. He was sent to a special school until he was 16. His father was able to find him his first job, working for the city as a sanitation worker.

Later, in spite of his low basic skills, John was hired at a local company as a machine operator and worked there for the next 36 years. He advanced though several departments, and like most men his age, he planned to be there until he was 62 years old and could retire. But, that wasn't to be. the plant closed, leaving John upset, unemployed, 56 years old, and unable to read and write well enough to find another job.

John knew that it would be difficult for him to find another job for who would hire him at his age, let alone with his poor reading skills? Fortunately, he was referred the the Literacy Council by his local Job Center and has been working with his tutor (Thank you!) now for 16 months. They try to meet twice a week if possible.

John is grateful that a program like ours exists, where he can get the help he needs and is not embarrassed to do so. Since he has been the in the Literacy Council tutoring program, John has advanced one level in his reading ability, has gained self-confidence, and has found employment on a nearby farm. Congratulations, John!
 

Rafael's Dream

"On one occasion when I was living in Mexico," said Rafael, a young father and English Language Learner at the Literacy Council of Brown County," I went to school with the girl that used to be my girlfriend and now is my wife. We were studying the world map and I commented I would like to live in Wisconsin one day. Later we were given the opportunity to live just in this place. I have been living here for five years, very happy with my wife and daughter."

Fr. Xavier Colavechio and Rafael have been tutoring together since March 2005. When they began their tutoring session, Rafael wanted to improve his English so that he could speak English at home with his 8-year-old daughter, at work with his co-workers, and especially in public places with people in the community.

Rafael said, "When I first go to the mall to buy shoes for my daughter, someone will ask me 'May I help you?' and I did not know what that meant, I want to learn English because it is important for work, for getting a good job, for many things."

Fr. Colavechio said: I see a need in the community for Literacy Council services. The ESL classes are almost always full, so I tell people to try tutoring. I enjoy the satisfaction of seeing Rafael light up when he leans something new. It strikes me that I am learning more about English that I realized I was. After one lesson, I commented to Rafael that we had completed the whole thing. He looked at me strangely, and I finally realized that he was thinking about a hole, like in the ground. I'm glad that I am able to help Rafael in his personal life -- with buying a home or purchasing a car."