Celebrating 20 Years of Volunteering for Literacy

There were speeches, dignitaries, and a buffet with food from 31 different area restaurants at a dinner last Wednesday to celebrate the 20th anniversary of . 

“They’ve lasted 20 years because of the positive results they’ve made in their tutoring,” said Prince William County Neabsco District Supervisor John Jenkins. “I’ve seen them take people that had given up on themselves because they couldn’t read,” he said. “Give them a tutor and pretty soon they’re able to read.”

Jenkins said the program continues to make a positive difference. “It certainly contributes to the community,” he said. “It gives these people the opportunity to work.” For others, Jenkins pointed out, being able to read means getting to read books to their grandchildren.

George Kerr, president of the LVA-PW Board of Directors, said the organization is able to carry on because of its dedicated staff and volunteers and because of grant funding from companies. LVA-PW gets money from private donations and from county funding, but Kerr said 80 percent of the funds come from grants.

Kerr said that the organization has been successful in obtaining grants because it has a compelling mission. “If you can’t read and write, you’re basically living in the stone age,” he said.

Kerr believes said the organization helps enable people to read books, make informed political decisions and manage their money. “The American dream is alive and well in Prince William County today,” he said.

Only three staff members work in the LVA-PW office, running an organization that serves over 600 students. Of those three, only is a full-time employee, though Kerr is quick to point out that Program Coordinator Kitsie Morris and Development Coordinator Vicki Gross also put in many hours.

The organization presented awards at the dinner for volunteer of the year, student of the year and tutor of the year. Wayne Doran and Chris Rosen were co-recipients of the tutor of the year award.

Rosen, a retired teacher with a doctorate degree, has been a tutor with LVA-PW since November of 2008. She has tutored many students, including helping one man who said he could not read, despite the fact that he scored well on reading proficiency exams. Rosen helped him gain the confidence that he needed in his reading ability.

Rosen said she loves to use her abilities to help others. “We get a reward by doing something we love to do every time,” she said.

Doran, who has volunteered with the organization since 2004, has helped students earn GED certificates and improve their computer literacy, which is critical for adults seeking employment. “It is the absolute most fun,” Doran said. “It is so rewarding to see students do well.”