Letters to the editor for Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015

ESL In-Home program needs volunteers

I have been drawn to images of Syrian refugees attempting to flee their war-torn country. I am taken aback to stories my parents told of fleeing their European homeland during the invasion of Hitler and their journey to Ellis Island.

Our country is built upon the ability for all to have an opportunity to be law-biding contributors. Being able to converse in our country’s language opens the door of citizenship, which opens the door to a higher level of employment.

Enter the ESL In-Home Program of Northern Nevada, a nonprofit serving Carson, Washoe, Douglas, Lyon and Churchill counties. Through volunteers, we offer a variety of services, such as ESL tutoring, GED preparation and U.S. citizenship study.

As children have the opportunity to learn English in schools, adults in the child’s family are often left behind. In teaching adults, we provide them with the ability to help their child with homework, school activities and communication with teachers and pediatricians.

Our tutoring style is primarily on a one-on-one basis or in small groups of 3-4.

This week is National Education and Family Literacy, which raises awareness of adult education and family literacy. The ESL In-Home Program has more than 800 adults wait-listed to learn English language skills. I invite you to be a solution that will better a child, a family and ultimately Northern Nevada.

Do you have 1-2 hours/week to spare? Do you want to be a part of a positive change and one that is life changing? Call me at 775-888-2021 for one hour’s training at your convenience to teach English as a second language.

Florence Phillips

Executive director of ESL In-Home Program of Northern Nevada