Give the Gift of English
Become a VEP volunteer tutor

For the past sixteen years, I have been a volunteer tutor and, more recently, board member of the Volunteer English Program in Chester County. We have a small office at 790 E. Market St. in West Chester. Our small budget pays for rent; books; operating expenses; salaries for underpaid, but extremely gifted staff (one full-time and 4 part-time) which allows our award winning program to thrive. Our real underwriters are our well-trained, volunteer tutors who provide thousands of hours teaching English and helping adult immigrants adjust to their new life in the U.S.

Tutoring at VEP is one of the most meaningful experiences I have had in my life. I have met people who have come here from around the world, and we have become close friends. I have learned why they left their country and have observed first-hand their struggles. Some work two or three jobs to support their families. They often don't have the time, money, or transportation to attend English classes. This is why VEP is so valuable. We schedule a tutor to meet one-on-one when the student is available. This might be at their job site or between jobs or at a library near public transportation. I have met many immigrants, and their goal always is to learn and perfect their English This summer one of my former students became an American citizen, and he is very proud of this accomplishment, as am I.

In June 2007 at VEP's first fundraising event at Longwood Gardens, the Hon. Juan Sanchez, Judge of the District Court in Philadelphia and VEP Honorary Council member, spoke of his experiences moving to the Bronx from Puerto Rico. And Tu Packard, an economist with Moody's economy.com spoke of coming with her mother to New York City from the Philippines. And VEP student Alex Loboda, a physician from Ukraine, spoke of his struggle and the support he gained from his VEP tutor, a business professor at St. Joseph's College.

I hope you or perhaps someone you know might be interested in attending a VEP training workshop and becoming a tutor. This is how we can positively address the desperate need to help immigrants learn English and adjust of their new life. Of course, I find I'm the one who is deeply rewarded by "giving the gift of English" and by learning about cultures from around the world. Did I mention VEP has a waiting list of 100! So we need many more volunteer tutors to meet this critical need. Last year we trained 200 individuals from 40 countries. Please email me or check out the VEP website (www.volunteerenglish.org) if you'd like more information about VEP.

The next Volunteer English Program Tutor Training Workshop will be held on Monday Sept. 17, Thursday Sept. 20, and Monday. Sept. 24 at Kesher Israel Congregation, 1000 Pottstown Pike, West Chester from 6-9 p.m. To request a registration form, please call VEP at 610-918-8222 or visit the website. Workshops are also scheduled for January and Aril 2008.

Signed, 
Betsy Hawkes