Literacy Volunteers of Chenango County lauds students, volunteers at annual gala
NORWICH – For more than 29 years, Literacy Volunteers of Chenango County (LVCC) has played a key role in helping adults reach their personal goals through literacy.
LVCC students and mentors alike were lauded for their dedication, efforts, and accomplishments Thursday as the organization held its annual recognition dinner at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Norwich. LVCC, a subsidiary of Opportunities for Chenango, is credited for helping more than 1,000 individuals through free, one-on-one tutoring and small group instruction for adults in basic literacy and English for speakers of other languages.
The organization currently mentors nearly 30 students with help from approximately 20 tutors, many of whom were honored at Thursday’s gala with awards on behalf of LVCC as well as certificates signed by New York 122nd District Assemblyman Clifford Crouch.
“Sometimes, students don't get that recognition and tutors don't either,” said JoAnn Kishbaugh, who took over as Director for LVCC last winter. “It’s nice to bring them together in one place because it's not often they have that opportunity to interact with other students and other tutors.”
Kishbaugh further complimented students in the program for going through a time of change which she admits can be scary, but it presents an endless list of opportunities.
“I have only been here for nine months and I see all of you are going through change,” she told students. “Change can be difficult sometimes, but it opens up many doors.”
According to LVCC, an estimated 14 percent of adults in Chenango County read at or below a 4th grade level, and 25 percent do not have a high school diploma. At least 42 percent of adults in Chenango County have some difficulty with basic reading, writing or math.
Students on Tuesday were encouraged by two guest speakers to break loose of those statistics: Mike Gray, a work based learning coordinator for Oneonta Job Corps; and former LVCC student Mark Hollifield.
Gray – a proclaimed educator by nature by the LVCC community – recognized students and tutors in his message, describing how he sees first-hand the challenges and rewards of literacy in his line of work. He described his duties at Oneonta Job Corps and the unique challenges incoming students typically face.
“For you students, no mater where you are, what you’re trying to achieve or where you’re trying to get with your life, it can be difficult,” he said, adding how a series of small accomplishments can eventually lead to something bigger. “I can tell you, don’t look at the big picture right off the bat, especially if you struggle for whatever reason. Embrace those little victories,” he said. “Recognize those tiny bits of accomplishments along the way and celebrate them.”
Hollifield also shared words of advice with the group. As someone with a learning disability that affects his reading and writing, Hollifield said he understands the obstacles of lagging in literacy. He shared his experiences of overcoming those obstacles to eventually earn a spot on the Dean’s List as a student at SUNY Morrisville, complete the Leadership Chenango program, serve on the Norwich City School Board, and is now currently attending Broome Community College as a major in dental hygiene.
“I know how hard it is to survive in this world with that type of disability,” he said, paying recognition to tutors and volunteers who lent him a helping hand along the way. “I am where I am today because of a lot of good people ... Despite my reading and writing disability, I have done a lot. If you have a similar type of disability, you can be successful in whatever you want to if you apply yourself. Get out there and go for it.”
In addition to honoring tutors, students and volunteers, LVCC thanked members of the LVCC Advisory Board, staff and board members of Opportunities for Chenango, Dunkin’ Donuts, Joe and Vinny’s Pizzeria, and Emmanuel Episcopal Church for their support.
LVCC is funded in part by the Chenango County United Way and the New York State Education Department, and numerous individual and corporate donors.
For more information on LVCC, visit its website at ofcinc.org/adlit/lva.php.
LVCC students and mentors alike were lauded for their dedication, efforts, and accomplishments Thursday as the organization held its annual recognition dinner at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Norwich. LVCC, a subsidiary of Opportunities for Chenango, is credited for helping more than 1,000 individuals through free, one-on-one tutoring and small group instruction for adults in basic literacy and English for speakers of other languages.
The organization currently mentors nearly 30 students with help from approximately 20 tutors, many of whom were honored at Thursday’s gala with awards on behalf of LVCC as well as certificates signed by New York 122nd District Assemblyman Clifford Crouch.
“Sometimes, students don't get that recognition and tutors don't either,” said JoAnn Kishbaugh, who took over as Director for LVCC last winter. “It’s nice to bring them together in one place because it's not often they have that opportunity to interact with other students and other tutors.”
Kishbaugh further complimented students in the program for going through a time of change which she admits can be scary, but it presents an endless list of opportunities.
“I have only been here for nine months and I see all of you are going through change,” she told students. “Change can be difficult sometimes, but it opens up many doors.”
According to LVCC, an estimated 14 percent of adults in Chenango County read at or below a 4th grade level, and 25 percent do not have a high school diploma. At least 42 percent of adults in Chenango County have some difficulty with basic reading, writing or math.
Students on Tuesday were encouraged by two guest speakers to break loose of those statistics: Mike Gray, a work based learning coordinator for Oneonta Job Corps; and former LVCC student Mark Hollifield.
Gray – a proclaimed educator by nature by the LVCC community – recognized students and tutors in his message, describing how he sees first-hand the challenges and rewards of literacy in his line of work. He described his duties at Oneonta Job Corps and the unique challenges incoming students typically face.
“For you students, no mater where you are, what you’re trying to achieve or where you’re trying to get with your life, it can be difficult,” he said, adding how a series of small accomplishments can eventually lead to something bigger. “I can tell you, don’t look at the big picture right off the bat, especially if you struggle for whatever reason. Embrace those little victories,” he said. “Recognize those tiny bits of accomplishments along the way and celebrate them.”
Hollifield also shared words of advice with the group. As someone with a learning disability that affects his reading and writing, Hollifield said he understands the obstacles of lagging in literacy. He shared his experiences of overcoming those obstacles to eventually earn a spot on the Dean’s List as a student at SUNY Morrisville, complete the Leadership Chenango program, serve on the Norwich City School Board, and is now currently attending Broome Community College as a major in dental hygiene.
“I know how hard it is to survive in this world with that type of disability,” he said, paying recognition to tutors and volunteers who lent him a helping hand along the way. “I am where I am today because of a lot of good people ... Despite my reading and writing disability, I have done a lot. If you have a similar type of disability, you can be successful in whatever you want to if you apply yourself. Get out there and go for it.”
In addition to honoring tutors, students and volunteers, LVCC thanked members of the LVCC Advisory Board, staff and board members of Opportunities for Chenango, Dunkin’ Donuts, Joe and Vinny’s Pizzeria, and Emmanuel Episcopal Church for their support.
LVCC is funded in part by the Chenango County United Way and the New York State Education Department, and numerous individual and corporate donors.
For more information on LVCC, visit its website at ofcinc.org/adlit/lva.php.
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