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Charming

September 16, 2020 By Katie Gainer

While many of us saw our daily lives as we knew them come to a halt during this pandemic, Charming’s life only got busier. She was working full-time in a nursing home, taking several evening classes with LVGH on Zoom, and waking up each day at 3 AM to study and then do it all again. As if she didn’t have enough on her plate as a student and employee, she decided to add to the list citizen of the United States of America.

Charming moved to the U.S. from Jamaica in 2010, and was here for a few months before deciding to start Basic Literacy classes at LVGH. She says the hardest part about living here with limited literacy skills was the vulnerability. “I couldn’t do an application without having someone help me, so I was always scared to do applications. When you need to rely on others to read for you- signs, paperwork, anything- you can’t ever be sure that they’re telling you the correct thing.”

“I was a bit insecure starting out”, she admits. “I made the effort because I said “this is for me.” I started attending LVGH two times a week. My tutor encouraged me by saying, “no matter what people say about you, just do you. Coming to LVGH helped me to start feeling like I could do things for myself. Talking with Rose and the tutors at school, it gave me more confidence, it gave me more of me.”

When she passed her citizenship test last month, it really solidified for Charming that all of her hard work had been worth it. “I just felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders,” she said. “Going from working on farms in Jamaica to where I am now in the States- I really never saw myself in this position. I feel so blessed”.

Filed Under: Student Stories

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Student Stories:

“I didn’t realize how helpful LVGH would be. This isn’t the end for me here. I’m going to keep coming back and improve my skills.”

Jackie

“I like how welcoming and encouraging the tutors are. They were able to help me with my dyslexia and push me to reach my goals. I always had a passion for learning and when I came to LVGH I met even more people like me and I felt like I was home.”

Joey

“Since I’ve improved my English skills I am more independent. I can go shopping, visit a doctor or fix an internet problem with a company over the phone, easily; that’s not a big deal for me anymore.”

Kelcillene

“Education helps you realize your potential, which allow you to empower yourself to do more than you thought you could do before.”

Winston

“After joining Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford (LVGH) I feel confident to go out with my children. It changed my life.”

Lila

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Thank you so much to everyone who donated these past few weeks through Birdies for Charity. Thanks to you, we exceeded our fundraising goal and raised over $8,800 for our programs and students! Check out this interview from the Travelers Championship with our Executive Director, Stephen Morris, to learn how your generous gifts will help create a more literate Greater Hartford. ... See MoreSee Less

Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford | The River 105.9 | Community Access

theriver1059.iheart.com

Renee chats with Stephen Morris, Executive Director of Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford.

16 hours ago  ·  

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Last call! Sunday, June 26th is the last day to donate to LVGH via Birdies for Charity to receive a 15% bonus added to your gift. Give now at: bit.ly/lvghbirdies ... See MoreSee Less

6 days ago  ·  

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