Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council
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I must say, it brings me great joy to volunteer as a telephone conversation partner for Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council. Gplc is a wonderful non-profit organization that goes the extra mile to strengthen literacy skills for it's students. Also, the organization gives great tools for it's staff and volunteers. It is my goal to continue to have a "can-do" attitude and to go the extra mile for the students of Gplc. Tamyka Ramsey
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council is a great organization, providing satisfaction and fulfillment for both its volunteers and its students. I've been an ESL tutor with them for almost three years and have been impressed with the training and support their dedicated staff offers on a continuing basis. The organization is truly making a difference not only in individual lives but in the world. Having worked with other volunteer organizations in the past, I feel GPLC is THE BEST!
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
I've volunteered for GPLC for about six years, steadily for the past 3 1/2, most recently tutoring a local man who started out reading at a first-grade level. He has slowly progressed, and aside from providing space for us to meet GPLC has been consistently helpful and responsive to requests for materials and other assistance, and proactive in offering additional help and promoting staff development.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the assistance it has rendered in materials, advice, curriculum-building and other support.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
can't think of anything I'd change
I've been volunteering with GPLC for about four years, and matched with three native English-speaking adults, longest and most recently with a man in his 40s who has dyslexia and never learned to read. Over the past two and a half years we've met twice weekly and he's made slow but steady progress. GPLC provides the space for us to meet and has been helpful and responsive with requests for tutoring materials and other assistance.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
seeing my students become more confident and capable in life as well as being better readers
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
can't think of anything i'd change
GPLC has linked me with many great mentees to work with. I have helped students learn English to excel at their day jobs and future goals. I totally support GPLC in growing to be an even stronger organization, with my support.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
seeing my students succeed.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
More classroom space
I have been a tutor for GPLC for 2 years, teaching English as a second language to small groups of foreign professionals. This volunteer job is extremely rewarding because of the language skills I can teach my students, the cultural experiences we share as a group, the field trips we take, and the friendships that develop. The GPLC administration is supportive by giving the materials I ask for and by facilitating useful workshops both for tutors and for students.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the my own professional workplace, where GPLC offered an ESL training course to interested teachers so we would be better equipped to meet the learning needs of our international students. I was so impressed by the training session that I decided to become a GPLC volunteer in the greater Pittsburgh community.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
provide more meeting spaces for tutoring sessions in Oakland.
After relocating to Pittsburgh a few years ago, I tried several volunteer organizations, but none provided me with the training and professional development opportunites like that of the Greater Pittsburgh LIteracy Council. I have been an ESL (English as a second language) adult tutor with GPLC for over a year and my experience has been personally very rewarding. Volunteers are treated as an important part of the organization and we are reminded of that through monthly meetings, workshops, and continuing professional development opportunities. You do not need to be an expert in English grammar to be a tutor. Training just takes 12 hours of your time and is spread out over 4 days at convenient locations. There is also no expense to the volunteer other than their own transportation to the classes. After training, volunteers are matched with students and then meet with them 4 hours a week at a place and time mutually agreed upon. Each student is evaluted by a staff member of the organization and then given a "prescription" for achieving their goals to become more skilled at conversation, reading, and writing. We are given textbooks to use with our students, but we are also encouraged to introduce our students to everyday American culture--and that is where it is especially fun. Currently, I have a Rwandan and an Italian student. I think I learn as much from them as they do from me. In the past year, besides helping them improve their language skills, I have seen them through driver's license tests, attended the wedding of one, helped another with job applications and interviews, and celebrated when they landed their first American jobs. They are now looking forward to their next goals and, eventually, becoming American citizens.
For me, personally, being part of their progress has been a wonderful experience. They are not just my students, they have become my friends. Through them I have developed an even deeper appreciation of my country and I look forward to the day when I watch them sworn in as new citizens of the United States.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in my students' successes and progress in adapting to American life and culture. They have expressed to me many times how helpful our meetings are to them. For four hours a week they have the chance to make conversation with someone who listens to them, teaches them, and encourages them.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
At this time, I really don't have any suggestions. I am impressed with the organization as a whole. It seems well-organized and is responsive to both the tutors and students.
I feel like the volunteer work I do for the Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council is valued and supported. The tutor training provides a thorough and sound foundation which is flexible enough for me to create my own learning tools for my students' specific needs. A variety of learning activities are provided for GPLC students and tutors outside of class, and the achievement of goals is celebrated appropriately. I enjoy tutoring and helping my students realize their life objectives.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the ways in which one of my students placed at a much higher level after we'd been working together for 6-9 months.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Encourage others to be tutors.
When I retired from many years of public school teaching in 2004, I started to volunteer in the ESL program for the GPLC. It has been a very rewarding experience because I was able to use the training provided to help 1 Palestinian and 5 Chinese immigrants learn to make their way in their new life. Two students have become citizens, and three more are preparing to do that. Several have obtained better jobs. I, myself, have found that I learn as much from them as they learn from me. Of course, all of us find the truths about human nature.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
GPLC has provided not only initial training, but also continued support personalized for each student, appropriate materials to use to meet the student's goals, and continued training for the tutors.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Perhaps more publicity for the organization would help. Many people in Pittsburgh have never heard of it.
I am a Literacy*AmeriCorps member serving at the Downtown Center teaching a low beginner ESL class. Since starting to teach classes to immigrant and refugees in September, the difference I have seen in my students is amazing. More so than improved test scores and better performances in class (which I have definitely seen), I am impressed by their ever-expanding capacity to communicate with me person-to-person, tell me stories and jokes, and interact with me and other foreign students as friends.
GPLC has been supportive of me and my fellow AmeriCorps members as teachers-- from training us to providing us with materials to giving us guidance from experienced professionals when we need advice on learning differences or creating good lesson plans. This organization is full of wonderful people who really care about helping students and clients.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the abilities of my students to speak, understand, and be understood. They are improving every day and hopefully so are their prospects of getting jobs and their opportunities for growth in this country.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
change the requirements for VESL classes or add a class with a similar curriculum for students who are not TANF recipients-- many students would benefit from this additional instruction. Our afternoon Foundations class is steadily growing... and outgrowing our classroom because there are many students at this level who want English instruction.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Quite well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
I am a Compass AmeriCorps member through GPLC. At my service site we refer many of our refugee clients to GPLC for family literacy, general ESL, and Vocational ESL classes. Our clients enjoy going to ESL classes at GPLC and learn very fast, especially in the Vocation English class.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I meet my refugee clients once when they first arrive and then one month later after they have been attending ESL classes at GPLC. I am constantly amazed at the improvement in my clients communication after just a month of ESL.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Offer more classes for longer. Only the VESL class is offered for 20 hours a week, and that is only open to TANF recipients. If there was an option for non-TANF clients to recieve 20 hours of ESL a week it would greatly improve their ability to get higher paying jobs.
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