Happy National Volunteer Month!

April is National Volunteer Month

Our volunteers are so much more than tutors—they’re true superheroes of literacy, community building, and of making a difference in many ways. Here are just a few of the thoughtful names we use to describe them:

🌉 Bridge Builders: Breaking down barriers between cultures and languages, they stand beside students as they courageously connect to new opportunities and, for immigrants, build a sense of belonging in their new country. Take Anne as an example:

When my schedule opened up 17 years ago, calling up Literacy Together was one of the first things I did. My initial motivation was to give back. My grandfather and great-grandparents came to Philadelphia from Poland, knowing no English, and people helped them. I wanted to return the favor. ~ Anne, ESOL tutor

🐛➡🦋 Transformation Agents: Reflecting their students’ determination, they are essential partners in each learner’s vision for a brighter future. They reveal the profound power of meaningful human connection through mutual growth. Martha’s experience says it all:

I learned that once you are ‘adopted’ into an Afghan family, you are accepted, just as you are, and then taken care of. I learned the difference between education as a privilege (to Elaha) and education as a thing to do (for me). What a world of difference and quite different results! I learned how privileged my point of view is and the many things I take for granted. ~ Martha, ESOL tutor

💪🏼 Advocates: With every session, they ignite a sense of confidence and possibility, helping students develop the tools to unleash their potential and turn their goals into reality. Ray and Aimee expressed this beautifully:

Through hard work and perseverance, Iris has accomplished something she thought was impossible: read an entire book. This is only her first goal in building her reading skills. Congratulations, Iris! ~ Ray, Adult Literacy tutor

I love seeing students go from thinking this (English) is a skillset they lack to learning that learning is a skillset they have. ~ Aimee, former ESOL tutor and Literacy Together board member

To all our incredible volunteers: Thank you for your time, energy, and heart. Your dedication changes lives and builds a stronger, more connected community. You’re changing the world, one lesson at a time! 💗