Letter from Robin Lettis
LVODC 50th Celebrated
When Dr. Roy Bartoo came to SUNY Oneonta in 1974 and asked a few folks if there was a need for help with literacy in the area, he found a definite opening. He brought the idea of Literacy Volunteers from Syracuse via Buffalo University. Little did he know that 50 years later Literacy Volunteers of Otsego and Delaware Counties would still be going strong, filling in the gaps.
The number of individuals in Delaware County with less than a ninth-grade education is 868. In Otsego County, it is 2,907. The number of individuals in households with limited English proficiency in Delaware County is 1,557. In Otsego County, it is 1,573.
From July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024, Literacy Volunteers of Otsego and Delaware Counties has served 62 individuals. Approximately 2,100 volunteer hours of tutoring were conducted by 31 tutors.
The first languages of our ESL students include: Chinese, Spanish, Turkish, Haitian Creole, French, Swahili, Russian, Korean and Arabic. Our native English speakers who needed help were on the radar, too.
The hours of tutoring lead to jobs, reading to kids, reading a menu, confidence and citizenship. Doors are opened. Our communities are enriched. A mother’s reading skill is the greatest determinant of her children’s future academic success, outweighing other factors, such as neighborhood and family income.
That is the history and those are the numbers. Now I want to speak personally of what I have experienced as a volunteer for about six years. I have met and gotten to know people from Azerbaijan, Libya and Cuba. Without exception, they have been serious students with much to share. Our dentist from Libya has become a citizen and can help her children in school. The family has worked hard and put in the sweat equity for a Habitat House. Our math teacher from Azerbaijan has finished another master’s degree and has goals to become an actuary and has already passed three exams. Our Cuban has helped his family buy a home and is proudly looking forward, as his granddaughter starts college.
I have laughed and cried with them. I have learned to respect each of their cultures. I have watched with pride when they encourage and cheer each other on. All have made remarkable progress with the help of our local volunteers in Cooperstown.
On Sunday, September 22, we celebrated 50 years in the area. Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek proclaimed the day for us. New York State Assemblyman Brian Miller brought a proclamation from Albany. A good time was had by all. We are now at the Rowe House on Maple Street in Oneonta. We look forward to the next 50 years with more volunteers and more students. Check us out. Literacy Volunteers of Otsego and Delaware Counties.
Robin Lettis
LVODC Board Member
Oneonta
