Volunteers Needed
August 23, 2015 at 8:22 PM | Posted in Volunteers | 1 CommentTags: Volunteer
LCNV is so grateful to our dedicated corps of volunteers to help us advance our mission. Whether you are an active volunteer or still on the fence about whether or not to volunteer with us, please read on to learn about more ways to get involved.
Outreach Volunteers:
We are looking for volunteers to contribute to our student, volunteer, and public relations efforts. Outreach volunteer options include:
- Manning an LCNV table at various events, such as at festivals sponsored by community centers and Back to School Resource Fairs.
- Posting flyers for volunteer/student recruitment and for general promotion at targeted locations, including libraries, supermarkets, and community centers.
- Representing LCNV as a speaker at various donor or volunteer outreach activities. Examples include:
- LCNV Volunteer Orientation, where you would talk about your volunteer experience, and maybe even bring a learner you work with along;
- Foreign Service Institute Job Search program Volunteer Fair;
- RSVP volunteer meet & greet where prospective volunteers meet with representatives of service organizations.
For our student recruitment efforts in particular, we would like to have volunteers who are interested in using their skills with other languages, in order to ease communication between prospective students and the LCNV representative.
Current volunteers interested in serving in this capacity are asked to please contact Ruba Afzal and indicate the opportunities that appeal to you. If you are not yet a volunteer, please attend one of our upcoming Volunteer Orientations to get started.
Join LCNV’s Instructor Training Team:
If you have experience delivering instruction or training, and credentials in education, please consider joining the LCNV volunteer Training Team. This collaborative group of professionals trains LCNV volunteers to be teachers, class aides, and tutors for our learners. Interested individuals should be available a few Saturdays a year to participate in group training sessions and attend meetings. If you are a current volunteer and would like to find out more, please contact Carole Bausell. Otherwise, please attend one of our upcoming Volunteer Orientations to get started.
Teaching Vocabulary to Low-Level ESOL Learners
January 26, 2013 at 9:42 AM | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a commentTags: professional development, teaching English, vocabulary, Volunteer
We hope that you found your initial tutor or teacher training workshop to be worthwhile. We also hope that you view it as only the first step in an ongoing professional development process which will continue throughout your tutoring and that you will take advantage of additional training opportunities, both within and outside of LCNV. These will broaden and further hone your tutoring and teaching skills, enabling you to better serve your student while simultaneously enriching your own volunteer experience. Indeed, volunteers often tell us that they find such subsequent training to be especially valuable since they are now able to bring their experiences to bear on what is being presented.
Each year LCNV provides several free in-service training opportunities at the James Lee Community Center. One such workshop is coming up on Saturday, February 9, from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. David Red will present “Teaching Vocabulary to Low-Level ESOL Learners” David is the former Coordinator of Fairfax County’s Adult ESOL Program and a former LCNV ESOL trainer. He is currently the Director of Curriculum and Staff Development at the Foreign Service Institute. The workshop will focus on:
- Emphasizing meaningful communication at low levels of comprehension,
- Techniques for introducing new vocabulary in a “story” format, and
- Incorporating the reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills in a short lesson.
This in-service is most useful for instructors with students in the ESOL tutoring and classroom programs, but BAL volunteers are, of course, welcome to attend.
To attend this workshop, please register in advance by emailing info@lcnv.org or calling 703-237-0866.
Elise Bruml
Director of Tutoring Programs
Literacy Council of Northern Virginia
2855 Annandale Rd., Falls Church, VA 22042
www.lcnv.org
Things Are Getting Better
January 24, 2013 at 12:30 AM | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a commentTags: Alexandria, English class, Falls Church, herndon, Volunteer
Much of what we focus on in the classroom is helping our learners improve their English language life skills or survival skills – scheduling a doctor’s appointment, reading a bus schedule, filling out a form. For the father who relies on his child to read the medicine label and for the adult who cares for her elderly parent, it is independence and resourcefulness that they gain from such an emphasis on relevant and meaningful life skills-based instruction. It’s part of the Literacy Council’s mission to foster more fully participating members of the community.
In addition to being a tool for meeting everyday needs, the English language is also a vehicle for our learners to share their stories, their thoughts and feelings. Cultural exchange aside, what is it they would like to say? So, for a final assignment, I asked learners to write a letter on any topic and mail it to me at the Literacy Council office. Huong Ngo, a learner in one of my classes last fall, shared the following song with me.
Things Are Getting Better
Things are getting better, much better.
Things are getting better every day.
I’m glad.
The homework is getting easier, much easier.
The homework is getting easier every day.
That’s good.
Your English is improving.
Your writing is getting stronger.
Your grammar is getting better every day.
Hooray!
Your accent is getting better, much better.
Your accent is getting better every day.
Hooray!
Looking ahead to the start of a new term this month, I resolve to do my part as an AmeriCorps member, as an ESOL Learning Centers instructor to make sure things get better, to make sure things get easier for our learners here at LCNV.
If you know someone who could benefit from our English classes, please tell them about our upcoming registrations on January 29 and 30 (6:00 – 8:00 pm in Alexandria), January 31 (9:30 – 11:30 am in Herndon) or February 2 (3:00 – 6:00 pm in Falls Church). We are also in need of volunteer teachers and class aides. Please contact 703-237-0866 x 111 or volunteers@lcnv.org for more information, or to register for a volunteer training on Saturday, January 26.
Xavier Muñoz, AmeriCorps Instructor
Literacy Council of Northern Virginia
2855 Annandale Rd., Falls Church, VA 22042
www.lcnv.org
POSTPONED – Volunteer Open House in Lorton
October 23, 2012 at 8:29 PM | Posted in Class, ESOL, Family Learning, Teaching, Tutoring, Uncategorized, Volunteers | Leave a commentTags: English, ESL, ESOL, learn, literacy, Lorton, Volunteer
* Due to the expected severe weather, this event is postponed. We will announce a new date soon!
Open House: Learn about Adult Literacy & ESOL Volunteer Opportunities!
Monday, October 29, 2012, 7:00 pm
Lorton Library, 9520 Richmond Hwy, Lorton, VA
Come hear about how you can make a difference as a Literacy Council volunteer!
LCNV’s mission is to teach adults the basic skills of reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English, so they are empowered to participate more fully and confidently in their communities. LCNV’s approach is to involve volunteers as the English instructors for our adult learners. With LCNV training and support, volunteers help their neighbors directly. The Council has a dire need for more volunteers in and around Lorton.
Volunteers can serve as tutors, who work one-on-one with a learner, or as classroom teachers or aides who work with groups of 10-15 adults at a time. The Council also offers many non-teaching opportunities, from helping out in our office, to supporting special events and outreach. If you are interested in promoting adult literacy in Lorton, we’ll find something that fits your interests!
Join us on the evening of the 29th to learn about the Council’s work and how you can help someone in your neighborhood develop the English skills necessary to succeed!
If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Ruba Afzal, LCNV’s Director of Volunteers, at 703-237-0866 x 111 or volunteers@lcnv.org.
Last Chance to Register for RACE FOR A CAUSE!
October 9, 2012 at 10:30 AM | Posted in AmeriCorps, Announcements, Class, Development, ESOL, Family Learning, Teaching, Tutoring, Volunteers | Leave a commentTags: 1 Mile Fun Run, 8k, acumen solutions, alumni, AmeriCorps, americorps partners, announcement, Announcements, arlington race, Basic Adult Literacy, Boy and Girls Club, Children, community, Fairfax Education, family event, family fun, Family Learning, for love of children, friends, give, giving, Greenbrier Learning Center, James Lee Community Center, literacy, literacy council, literacy council of northern virginia, local superheroes, north quincy street, October 14th, Our Daily Bread, race for a cause, run for local charities, run or walk, select the non-profit of your choice, students, The Reading Connection, the women's center, the women's centert, united for d.c., Volunteer, volunteers, you get to be a superhero too, young playwright's theatre
Don’t miss your chance to sign up to support the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia for the Acumen Solutions™ Race for a Cause 8K and 1 Mile Fun Run, which takes place this Sunday, October 14, 2012, in Arlington.
This a great event with a “super” post race event, which includes yummy food from Anita’s, Chidogo’s, and Whole Foods, as well as fun kids activities AND awesome raffle prizes for “big” kids (must be present to win)! Come support our local Superheroes. We encourage you to sport your favorite “superhero” attire! Don’t have a cape? Acumen Solutions will also be providing capes to all youth registrants!
We still need 40 registrants to be eligible for race proceeds. YOU can help us reach our goal! Join our walking literacy team?
Not in town? Sponsor a friend or family member as a runner! Every donation – big or small – helps support our cause. Please call or email Suzie Eaton (seaton@lcnv.org) with any questions and go to www.theraceforacause.com to sign up!
Registration Costs
- 8k: $35 through October 13
- $40 Race Day
- 1 Mile Fun Run: $20 Youth (no shirt; gift will be provided!);$35 Adult (8k technical T-shirt)
Registration Packet Pickup @ Potomac River Running Store, Arlington:
- Friday October 12, 4-8 pm
- Saturday October 13, 11 am – 4 pm
- Sunday October 14 (Race Day), 6:30 am – 7:30 am
Literacy Council of Northern Virginia
2855 Annandale Road
Falls Church, Va 22042
(703)237-0866
www.LCNV.org
Tonight: One for the Books Gala!
October 3, 2012 at 1:14 PM | Posted in AmeriCorps, Announcements, Class, Development, ESOL, Family Learning, Teaching, Tutoring, Volunteers | Leave a commentTags: 50 years of literacy, 50th anniversary, Alexandria Masonic Temple, alumni, AmeriCorps, americorps partners, announcement, Announcements, Basic Adult Literacy, Calypso del Sol, celebrity chef, community, David Baldacci, DC Central Kitchen, financial advisor, Fresh Start Catering, gala, gala event, George Washington Masonic Memorial, Jose Andres, Jose Andres Puerta, LCNV, lcnv learners, literacy, literacy council, literacy council of northern virginia, Old Town Alexandria, One for the Books, raffle, Ric Edelman, Robert Egger, Spanish Chef, St. John, students, thank you!, Volunteer, volunteers
Please join the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia this evening for our One for the Books gala!
Join LCNV, celebrity chef José Andrés, award-winning author David Baldacci, top-ranked financial advisor Ric Edelman, and nonprofit leader Robert Egger in celebrating 50 years of improving our community through literacy!
DATE: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012 │ 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
LOCATION: George Washington Masonic Memorial, 101 Callahan Dr., Alexandria, VA 22301
ACCESS: Free parking is available. Closest Metro station is King St.
ATTIRE: Business
TICKETS: Event tickets can be purchased in person tonight at the event, starting at 6 pm.
OPPORTUNITIES THIS EVENING INCLUDE:
- A raffle drawing for a week-long stay in St. John! Please consider purchasing a $50 chance in person this evening! The lucky winner will be announced tonight.
- Book signing by José Andrés, David Baldacci, Ric Edelman, and Robert Egger at the end of the event. Books will be available for purchase on site that evening.
- Adding a leaf on LCNV’s Giving Tree. Leaves on the tree can be purchased for various dollar amounts. Each leaf contains an item that will aid the Literacy Council in its effort to enrich the lives of those who wish to understand, speak, read and write English.
- And, finally, there will be a “bookshelf” where you can write the title of your favorite book and put it on the bookshelf. What an opportunity to reminisce about all the favorite books you have read and try to figure out the best one! And you can get ideas for future reads from books listed by other attendees.
Thank you for your participation! We look forward to seeing you tonight at One for the Books!
2855 Annandale Rd., Falls Church, Va 22042│ (703)237-0866 │www.lcnv.org
Win a Week at Calypso del Sol in St. John – for just $50!
September 28, 2012 at 2:19 PM | Posted in AmeriCorps, Announcements, Class, Development, ESOL, Family Learning, Teaching, Tutoring, Volunteers | Leave a commentTags: alumni, AmeriCorps, americorps partners, announcement, Announcements, Basic Adult Literacy, Calypso del Sol, celebrity chef, Class, community, David Baldacci, DC Central Kitchen, Development, Edelman Financial Services, ESOL, Family Learning, financial advisor, Fresh Start Catering, gala, gala event, George Washington Masonic Memorial, Jose Andres, Jose Andres Puerta, Jose Mini Bar, LCNV, lcnv learners, lies about money, literacy, literacy council, literacy council of northern virginia, Old Town Alexandria, One for the Books, raffle, rescue your money, Ric Edelman, riCorps, Robert Egger, Spanish Chef, St. John, students, teaching, thank you!, the truth about money, the truth about money with ric edelman, Think Food Group, top financial advisor, tutoring, Uncategorized, Volunteer, volunteers, Volunteers | Leave a comment Edit this post Tags: Alexandria Masonic Temple
LCNV’s raffle drawing will take place this October 3, 2012. Grab 5 of your close friends or family members, and jump at the chance to spend a week in the Caribbean – together! Only 106 tickets have been sold, which means your chances at winning are very high!
This raffle is a fun opportunity to help the Council raise funds for its literacy programs. The more tickets you buy, the better your odds get. The Winner does not have to be present to win. Enter today! Only 600 total tickets will be sold.
Calypso del Sol is a picturesque and idyllic villa on St. John. Beautifully appointed to offer every comfort in a very private location, Calypso makes the most of its Caribbean setting. After a day at the beach or pool, the villa is a short drive to one of the many fine restaurants for which St. John is known.
- Raffle tickets are $50 each and are not tax deductible. Purchase tickets now!
- Prize: 7-night stay for 6 people at Calypso del Sol, on St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- Winner may select a 7-day period: October 3 – December 22, 2012, or between April 6 – December 21, 2013, excluding Thanksgiving week. SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY.
- Airfare is NOT included. All costs for food, transportation, and other expenditures while traveling to or on St. John are the responsibility of the winner and fellow travelers.
- The raffle drawing is being held in accordance with Virginia laws.
- For additional information: www.CalypsoDelSol.com.
One for the Books Tickets Still Available: Buy Now!
Participate in the live raffle drawing. Meet Celebrity chef José Andrés, best-selling novelist David Baldacci, top-ranked financial advisor Ric Edelman, and non-profit leader Robert Egger. Celebrate the Literacy Council’s 50th year!
Value of prize: $3,850
THIS RAFFLE PRIZE IS DONATED BY Joe and Mary Ann Nocerino, and Franz and Sally Jaggar.
Literacy Council of Northern Virginia
2855 Annandale Rd., Falls Church, Va 22042
(703)237-0866 │info@lcnv.org │ www.lcnv.org
It’s not too Late to Register for Class!
September 28, 2012 at 12:19 PM | Posted in AmeriCorps, Announcements, Class, Development, ESOL, Family Learning, Student Stories, Teaching, Tutoring, Volunteers | Leave a commentTags: alumni, AmeriCorps, americorps partners, announcement, Basic Adult Literacy, best practices, Ceci, Children, Children's Books, Development, english classes, ESOL, Family Learning, friends, it's not too late to register, James Lee Community Center, late registration flyer, late registration schedule, LCNV, lcnv learners, learn english, literacy, literacy council, literacy council of northern virginia, literacy services, lorton senior center, Loudon Literacy, networking, register for classes, september 29, student stories, students, teaching, Volunteer, volunteers
DOWNLOAD the Late Registration Flyer
Every LCNV ESOL Learning Centers or Family Learning class turns into its own little community, and every community is like a family. Lorton Senior Center is one of our healthiest class sites, and I’m certain it’s because of the strong sense of community among the students. This past Monday, we had a really great registration, students were lined up outside the door an hour before start time. Luckily, several of our volunteers arrived a few minutes early to help with forms, testing, and payment.
I believe that sense of community starts with a smile and an inviting gesture to join and share. One students, who I had taught when I was an AmeriCorps Instructor, arrived at registration with two of her beautiful brown-eyed little boys in tow. The student’s name is Ceci, and I remember her as the family stone of our class when I taught at Lorton’s former site, Grace Bible Church. Ceci is an avid smiler, hand-shaker, team-worker, and laugh-sharer. She constantly stretched her English speaking skills to communicate with classmates from different countries and on many occasions arrived at class with a new student to recruit for classes.
Ceci demonstrates exactly what kind of student our programs work for. Monday was her first time back at class in years, but this is because she took on new opportunities to work, birth a new son, and help her family through some adjustments. She still has a complicated life and a limited budget, but we’re still here to help her. Now, she’s back because she still needs low-level English and LCNV still meets that need. I know she’ll probably test out of our classes soon and be able to move on to new opportunities, but for now, I’m excited to see her grow and progress and help other students in her class.
You can help us meet the need of other learners and fill all of our other classes, too. Take a look at our website to share our late-registration information at a grocery store, library, or other community location near you! Late registration will be held at LCNV’s headquarters located in James Lee Community Center, 2855 Annandale Rd, Falls Church, VA 22042 on Saturday September 29nd from, 3-6pm.
Katie Beckman
Program Assistant
Literacy Council of Northern Virginia
2855 Annandale Rd., Falls Church, VA 22042
(703) 237-0866 x 116
kbeckman@lcnv.org
www.lcnv.org
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Race for a Cause is this Sunday!
October 12, 2012 at 3:29 PM | Posted in AmeriCorps, Announcements, Class, Development, ESOL, Family Learning, Teaching, Tutoring, Volunteers | Leave a commentTags: 1 Mile Fun Run, 8k, acumen solutions, alumni, AmeriCorps, americorps partners, announcement, Announcements, arlington race, Basic Adult Literacy, Biggest Loser, Boy and Girls Club, Children, Class, community, Development, ESOL, Fairfax Education, family event, family fun, Family Learning, Family Learning | Leave a comment Edit this post Tags: give, for love of children, friends, giving, Greenbrier Learning Center, James Lee Community Center, literacy, literacy council, literacy council of northern virginia, local superheroes, north quincy street, October 14th, Our Daily Bread, race for a cause, run for local charities, run or walk, select the non-profit of your choice, Sione Fa, students, The Reading Connection, the women's center, the women's centert, tutoring, united for d.c., Volunteer, volunteers, you get to be a superhero too, young playwright's theatre
Online registration is closed BUT you can still sign up in person at the Potomac River Running store in Arlington; don’t forget to select the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia as your charity. If you go to Potomac River Running today and sign up, you could meet Sione Fa from The Biggest Loser!
Packet pickup and registration times follow:
The race will be just off Quincy Street at the intersection of Quincy and Wilson Blvd; use the Potomac River Running Store (3924 Wilson Blvd) as your “address”. Participants will warm up at approximately 7:40 AM, with guest Sione Fa. The 8k race starts at 8:00 AM. The Fun Run will start at approximately 8:06 AM. There will be a fun post event, which includes good food and a raffle prize give away.
Come support local Superheroes like the Literacy Council – costumes are encouraged! Acumen Solutions will provide capes to all youth registrants!
Hope to see you this Sunday.
Literacy Council of Northern Virginia
2855 Annandale Road
Falls Church, Va 22042
(703)237-0866
www.LCNV.org