Literacy Center

Westwood Literacy Center: Past and Future
 
As of this date, a number of church members have trained as tutors and worked with literacy learners. This includes Marion Burkey, Larry Oppliger, Tom Willson, Nancy Snell, Helga Mortenson, Dori Ravotas, Roxanne Fry, and Jim Fry. Emily Hazel, Deb Lindstrom, and Dori Ravotas have also trained to be temporary tutors with learners who are using a computer test preparation program. The center has also sponsored some educational programs for everyone. These programs were on nutrition (Emily Hazel), children’s health, and the upcoming senior health seminar.
 
We have more opportunities going forward! In addition to regular tutoring we want to expand our Expressways computer program which prepares students for the SAT and the Accuplace now used by KVCC. Commitment is only 10 weeks and we need those who can explain math and/or reading and writing. I have also worked with the Kalamazoo Literacy Council to develop materials that teach about important health concerns while at the same time teaching reading. We will be looking for people who are willing to meet for three or four sessions with students who don’t have a trained tutor yet. Finally, we are also planning a summer health class at our church that will offer this focused type of literacy training to ESL students and possibly GED students. These programs close down in the summer and this would help prevent the summer slide and focus their learning on information everybody should know. No health background needed but we need people willing to help. All materials are supplied for all of the above. For more information call Dori; 269-870-5282
 

You Can Help With the English Language Summer Program!

Do you want to find out about volunteer opportunities at the Westwood English Language summer school. We are having an English Language Summer Volunteer Information Session: Monday, May 2, 7:00-8:00 in the Wesley Room at Westwood United Methodist Church, 538 Nichols (come in the church from Nichols). Please pass the word to anyone who might be interested.

 

The Summer program runs July 5 – August 18. We will be back to meeting at Westwood United Methodist church, mornings from 9:00-12:00, with an online option and totally online evening classes from 6:30-8:00.

 

You don’t have to volunteer for all 7 weeks or a specific number of hours, we will work with you to create a volunteer experience that is the best for you.

 

We need people to work behind the scenes (registration and testing, for instance) and in hospitality before and during the program, both online and at the church. We also need people who want to work directly with learners (both at church and online)–no language requirements. We will train you. Next training is coming right up: May 5, 9, 12, 16 & 18.

 

We have two new opportunities this summer:

 

For those of you who love to work with children we need help with our intergenerational class where parents and preschool children learn English both separately and then intergenerationally.

 

We are also using a new approach with those who have no English that mimics the way we all learn language when we are young. You do not need any special language skills for this. If you can point and say English words. while engaging with human beings you can be very impactful with our learners.

 

See our other opportunities at the bottom of this page. To sign up for the Monday meeting at: www.kalamazooliteracy.org/english-a-a-secondlanguage/#summer (scroll down to the second event) or just come . You can attend in person (at Westwood United Methodist church at 538 Nichols Ave) or virtually.

 

If you can’t come Monday but are still interested in volunteering complete our volunteer registration form https://forms.gle/p7YqDJZsNTynYJ8c9 and feel free to email me doris.ravotas@wmich.edu with ideas or questions.

 

List of Volunteer Roles: volunteer positions for summer ESL 2022