Volunteering: The toughest job you’ll ever love

My father was a peasant from the “old country.” Because he never had attended school, he had a lot of trouble reading. When I was a girl, he read the funnies to me, but every Election Day he needed help. So my sister would go into the voting booth to help him read the instructions and cast his ballots.

In honor of my father, I have been helping adults learn to read for more than 20 years. In the last four years, I’ve been working through the Euclid ABLE program.

As a volunteer tutor, I discovered that the same things that motivate my father motivate today’s adults - better job opportunities and self esteem. I also learned that the best way I can help is to build my student’s self confidence.

For example, Jane worked for the Cleveland Clinic. She was hoping for a job upgrade, but poor reading was holding her back. After working with her for a few sessions, I suggested a book for her to try, a mystery romance. To spark her interest, I read her the first few pages. The next time we met, she told me she finished the book. She said that it was the first book she had ever read in her life. Her new self confidence gave her the impetus to keep at it. And, by the way, she got the job upgrade.

Another example, Mr. T., a veteran, wanted to improve his reading beyond checking the race results. Now he reads The Plain Dealer every day. Thanks to his new skills, he recently voted for the first time in his life. Furthermore, his example prompted his wife and daughter to cast their ballots for the first time, too.

And, one that brought tears to my eyes: another student recognized me at the Euclid library and said excitedly: “Hi, Miss Pat. I passed my GED and am now going to Tri-C.”

The adults often come with many strikes against them. I am continually amazed at their survival skills. How does anyone get through a day with low, low reading ability? How does anyone navigate the banking or transportation systems, or even grocery shopping, without basic reading skills?

Is there a key to teaching an adult to read? Nearly all of my students are determined. And that’s a big help. But for me, the most important thing is affirmation - giving the student unconditional encouragement.

Warren Buffet, one of the richest people in the world, credits his success to his father’s affirmations. He believes that achieving wealth and power would have been impossible without his dad’s encouraging words.

What’s the toughest part about being a tutor? Inertia. More than once, I did not want to go to class. I was tired. It was too cold outside. I had an invitation. But once I enter the room and see the faces of my students, I know I made the right decision. Suddenly, my energy is renewed.

Euclid ABLE needs many types of volunteers. Some assist the core teacher and others work one-on-one with students on reading or math. Some volunteers help students work toward a high school diploma and others tutor people for whom English is a second language. Tutors are guided by trained instructors -so previous teaching experience is not required.

Do you want to help improve the life of at least one person? Then consider signing up as a volunteer in the Euclid ABLE program.

There is training for tutors, which comprises two-day sessions conducted through the school year.  Tutors and learners meet at Shore Cultural Centre, 291 East 222nd Street.  For more info, call (216) 262-5006 or check online at http://www.euclidschools.org/academics/GEDESOL.cfm.