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Literacy for Life 2009

Our 2009 Literacy for Life Conference was held on April 25 at the Enterprise Center in Mt. Laurel, NJ. Over 200 adult literacy tutors, instructors, program leaders, board members, and students attended workshops and joined us for our award ceremony luncheon.

Click here to view the conference program.

Congratulations to the 2009 LVNJ award winners!

Donna Sandorse, LV-Union County, was awarded the Harry Van Houten Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Donna Sandorse has worked tirelessly for adult literacy in Union County and throughout NJ. Over the past 20 years, she has served as a tutor, tutor trainer, board member and board president of Literacy Volunteers of Union County, and member of the LVNJ board.  Donna was recognized for her leadership and dedication to improving adult literacy in New Jersey. 
  
 
The Jersey City Library Literacy Program received the Alice M. Leppert Award for Outstanding Affiliate Achievement for their initiative, Project Student Retention. As a result of their ongoing concerns about losing students, they decided to implement strategies to motivate adult learners and to keep them coming back until they achieve their goals. They have not only significantly reduced the drop-out rate, but they have seen an increase in student performance, involvement, and connection with other students.
 
 
Amy DiFilippo, LV-Monmouth County, was recognized with the 2009 Award for Tutor Excellence. Amy is passionate about improving the lives of others by helping them learn to read, write and speak the English language. Amy is a lifelong learner who has demonstrated her commitment to literacy and to her affiliate by tutoring individuals, training groups of volunteers to become tutors, assisting with program curricula, improving the literacy program’s content and curriculum, and volunteering her time and talents wherever she can make a difference.
 
 
Sidney Crumwell, LV-Monmouth County, and Narvis Bent, LV-Plainfield Public Library, received the 2009 Awards for Student Excellence.
 
Sidney Crumwell (left) was recognized for the tremendous progress he has made this past year. Not only has Sidney made great strides with his reading and computer skills, he has demonstrated his leadership skills by being a Student Board Member and actively recruiting adult literacy students. 

 

Narvis Bent received the Student Excellence Award for being a committed student who inspires others.  In 2007, he came into the Plainfield Public Library and asked for help. In these two short years, he has gone up two levels on the BEST test, helped form an English Language Club at the Plainfield Public Library and is teaching (in English) computer sessions for some of his fellow students. His mantra is, “I can share what I know!” 

  

Read about more adult literacy students on our Stories page.

 

 

 

 

 

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