A Scrabble Tournament on April 4 in Christiansburg will raise funds for Literacy Volunteers of the New River Valley, LVNRV, to help local adults — like Dolma Tsering and Judy Vest — learn to read.
Dolma grew up in a rural agricultural region of Tibet and never had the opportunity to go to school. When she moved to Blacksburg, she was unable to communicate or understand spoken and written English.
For the last three years, Dolma, who is 27, has worked with an LVNRV volunteer tutor to learn the literacy skills she needs to change her life. She learned to read the driver’s manual and got her license; at work, she can now communicate with her customers in-person and on the phone; she improved her skills so much, she’s enrolled in the community college’s English class. Last month, she was thrilled to learn that she passed the U.S. Citizenship Test.
“This program changed my life,” said Dolma. “I am so happy!”
Judy has always had the dream of being able to read. At 53, Judy has been working with a tutor to increase her reading skills for better independence. She can now read her mail, understand written instructions from a doctor, read medicine directions, keep a journal, and is so excited about the books she can read – books she always thought would be too hard for her.
“I can tell I’m making real progress now and I’m so glad I didn’t give up on this goal,” said Judy. “I am so excited about the books I can read now. I feel very proud of myself. It’s amazing that we have a program like this that helps people learn to read. I’ve had amazing tutors — and I want to become a tutor myself some day.”
LVNRV’s Scrabble fundraiser will support programs that give adults like Judy and Dolma the language and literacy skills they need for personal independence and family self-sufficiency.
This friendly word play competition will be held from 5:30-8:30 p.m., Thursday, April 4, at Great Road on Main in downtown Christiansburg.
The evening will kick off with a selection of local food offerings. Scrabble play will commence at 6:15 pm. Teams of three will play two games of Scrabble against two different teams with the scores from both games added together to determine the winner. Awards will be given to the Top Scorer, Longest Word, Highest Score Word, Most Creative Team Name, and more.
Register as a team of three for $100, or sign up as an individual for $35 and the organization will match you with a team.
LVNRV’s always-encouraging teaching style means that players can buy a “peek” at the dictionary for $3 or purchase a “cheat sheet” for $5.
LVNRV, a United Way partner agency, provides free instruction in reading, writing, math, basic computer skills, ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) and assistance preparing for exams such as the GED, U.S. Citizenship test, and driver’s license — to help adults achieve their goals.
Tutoring is provided by trained volunteers through one-to-one, small group, and class instruction at the Christiansburg learning center as well as public locations throughout the New River Valley.
LVNRV also provides family literacy programming to help parents learn to read to their children and support their children’s education.
To purchase tickets for the Scrabble Tournament, or for more information on LVNRV, go to www.lvnrv.org, email info@lvnrv.org, call (540) 382-7262, and contact Linda Jilk, LVNRV Executive Director ljilk@lvnrv.or
