March Boomerang

A Letter from CJ Hauss

Twenty-four years ago a friend approached me at a cocktail party. “I’m leaving my job next month,” she said, “you should apply for it.” She was the Development Director at LVGH.

At the time, I knew nothing about Literacy Volunteers. Nothing about Hartford’s adult literacy crisis. The idea that in this country there were adults who could not read - I wasn’t buying it. Maybe that was the case in Mississippi, certainly not here in Connecticut.

But I was bored in my current position raising funds for a well-resourced private suburban school and anxious to get back to an urban setting. I was curious to learn more about an issue that loomed just 10 miles west of me that I knew nothing about. One that sits at the very heart of so many social and economic injustices.

My career at LVGH began that year. From those first years in development to being appointed Executive Director in 2005, what a rewarding, enlightening, joyful experience my 24 years here has been. This is a community of learners, whether students, tutors, volunteers, Board members, supporters or staff, this is a place that attracts people looking to stretch their minds, hearts and spirits. Together we have created a space where no matter where you begin, you will leave knowing more, and not just more language, math or job skills, not just how to teach a class, navigate Zoom, or pass the Citizenship test. You leave knowing you can do things you never dreamed you could. You leave knowing you’ve got a community to support you every step of the way – and one that will be there to pick you up when you stumble.

I’m retiring this year, and I, too, am leaving knowing all those things. This community has given me and LVGH the chance to grow in ways we never imagined back in 1998. As I move on to my next adventure, it’s fun to imagine in what ways this dynamic organization will continue to grow. And hard to find a way to express how truly grateful I am to have been given the opportunity to be a part of this amazing community and the work we have done together.

Thank you, my friends, for everything,
CJ

Student Story
"A welcoming community is needed in a country that is not the one of origin.”

After moving to the United States from Chile, Carolina visited her local library to research schools teaching English to adults and came across Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford. She was just getting by in conversations and was determined to improve her English.

“Since I started classes, I have more confidence to speak in English and even to express my ideas in English. The practice has already helped me improve so much.” Carolina explains that a big part of learning a new language is teaching yourself to think in that language with the voice inside your head, rather than constantly translating before you speak. “When I communicate with my teachers in English, it forces me to try to express myself in different ways to make myself understood, so that little by little, I translate less and think in English more.”

“I really like that the educational and administrative community are always available to help,” Carolina says. “They have the empathy of being more than a teacher. They have a desire to help the community, which is highly valued since a welcoming community is needed in a country that is not the one of origin.”

Carolina is excited about the progress she’s made since attending classes, and looks forward to getting better each day. She says her next goals are “to continue expanding my vocabulary, have grammatically correct communication, improve my fluency, and finally be able to think in English.” We’re so excited to support Carolina as she reaches those goals!

Exciting News!
Stop & Shop Community Bag Program

We are so excited to share that LVGH
has been selected to be a part of the Stop & Shop Community Bag Program, which is designed to make it easy for customers to contribute to their local community while supporting the environment.

For the month of April, each time a $2.50 reusable Community Bag is purchased at the Stop & Shop located at 1235 Farmington Avenue in West Hartford, $1 will be donated to LVGH, unless otherwise directed by the customer through the Giving Tag. This is a great way to raise awareness, support the environment and fundraise for our cause.

To learn more about this program, please visit: stopandshop.bags4mycause.com.