1. Literacy Volunteers
Serving Adults
1983-2013
Opening Minds… Changing Lives
2012-2013 Annual Report

3. Our journey began 30 years ago when Dr. Page Bristow and
Judith Marshall founded the Delaware chapter of Literacy
Volunteers of America, with a vision that all adults in
Northern New Castle County, Delaware, will have the
skills necessary to participate more fully in the lives of
their families and their communities. Thirty years later, our
vision remains clear. More than 2,700 people have learned to
read or have improved their English language skills thanks to
many dedicated volunteers and donors. This great Delaware
organization has since become Literacy Volunteers Serving
Adults.
This is the story of LVSA, told by the students and
volunteers - the heart of LVSA.
Building Stronger
Communities
through Literacy
for 30 Years

4. From the Chairman of the Board Bob Hurka
and
Executive Director Cindy Shermeyer
LVSA was established 30 years ago to serve the community of adult
learners with literacy levels below that of a fifth grader. That
objective remains intact, but over time it has been expanded in
several important ways. Please consider the following:
 Our Approach – LVSA has a history of providing life-changing
guidance in basic reading. In addition, we have added
writing, math, computer skills, and English to the curriculum.
We began by training volunteer tutors to work one-on-one
with adult learners. Where appropriate, we have
incorporated group instruction. The use of volunteers is
critical in helping us leverage our financial and professional
resources to serve our learners effectively and efficiently.
 Who we serve – We are in the business of helping people help
themselves. These adults may have grown up here in the
United States or they may have come to the United States
later in life. They face considerable challenges finding the
assistance they need and integrating English into their
challenging lives. They often feel discouraged and
disappointed. LVSA helps our highly - motivated learners
overcome these obstacles.
 Our Partnerships – We have developed a set of core strengths
that help ensure that all contributions are used in the most
effective manner. These include extensive professional
experience in adult literacy, superior training and support of
volunteer tutors, and proven systems for measuring and
reporting learner progress. Developing partnerships with
other organizations that support our mission has also
become a key strategy. These collaborations permit us to
leverage our core strengths to help us reach even more
individuals and communities of learners and volunteers.
Now is an appropriate time to consider the benefits that result from the program. Foremost,
adult learners are better able to function more effectively in their daily lives, with their families,
and at work and in their communities. Tutors and other volunteers, professional staff and
generous donors achieve a profound sense of personal satisfaction, from the knowledge that
they have fostered positive change in the lives of other people. 30 years is a beginning. Let’s all
continue to work together to ensure that this important community-building effort continues!
~ Bob and Cindy

5. LVSA Continues to Grow & Serve
Since its beginning, LVSA has developed a curriculum and
programing reflective of the needs of Delaware’s residents.
Fewer than 10 years since holding its first tutor training class,
LVSA expanded its program to include English-as-a-second
language. Three years later, a family literacy component,
Families Learning Together, was added. In 2010, LVSA
partnered with Wilmington Head Start implementing Parents
Leaning English at School (PLEAS) at the West End Center.
Our geographic reach continues to grow as well. Since our
early days in the Wilmington Public Library, LVSA has
incorporated program sites in West Wilmington at the
Woodlawn Library, the Bear Library, and soon at the Dover
Public Library.
“I have only been in
class for one month
and I am beginning to
feel like a new
person. Before I
started taking
classes, I felt like I
was in prison. I really
didn’t think much of
myself, but now my
attitude has changed.
I know that I have a
long way to go, but
with the help of my
family and my tutor, I
will succeed.”
~1998 Student

6. Meet Janet
Former tutor, volunteer, donor, and advisory board
member, Janet Neville Loper has been involved with
LVSA since its beginning in 1983. Janet knew that she
wanted to do something meaningful after retiring. Upon
hearing about LVSA, she attended the very first tutor
training class and has been involved ever since. Whether
working as a tutor, volunteer or an advisory board
member, Janet has made a huge difference. She and her
late husband, renowned artist, Edward Loper Sr.,
provided these prints of his art work as LVSA posters. In
addition, Mr. Loper signed prints to give as prizes for
LVSA’s “Race for Literacy.” In recognition of the 30 years
of support LVSA has received from the Lopers, the Janet
and Edward L. Loper, Sr. Meritorious Service Award for
Adult Literacy is given at the annual celebration dinner to
an individual who represents the Lopers’ exceptional
qualities.
LVSA Timeline
1983
Founded by Dr. Page
Bristow & Judith Marshall
1990
English as a Second
Language tutoring added to
program
1993
Added “Families Learning
Together” to program
offering
2003
Officially changes name to
LVSA, Northern Delaware,
Inc.
2006
Beings partnership with
Woodlawn Library
2009
Partners with Bear Library
offering tutor & student
classes
2010
Added PLEAS program with
Wilmington Head Start
2012
Began offering pre-GED
reading & math classes as
part of PLEAS
2014
Expands services to Dover
at Dover Library

7. LVSA Offers a Variety of Learning Opportunities
Basic Reading and Writing
LVSA offers basic reading and
writing tutoring for any adult in
northern Delaware and Dover who
wants to learn. Students receive
one-on-one tutoring or training in
small group gatherings led by a
trained volunteer tutor. The tutor
and student(s) work together to
determine a schedule for learning.
English Language Learning
LVSA offers small group
classes to help people learn
or improve their English
language skills.
Other Learning Opportunities
English Language Classes
Civics Classes
Citizenship Classes
Beginning Computer Classes

8. Meet Chelly
Hi, my name is Chelly. I came to America not being able to
speak, read or write English. I couldn’t even really understand
it well. I was divorced with two young children. My brother
helped me a lot but he wasn’t with me all of the time. When
people said hello to me at work, I knew how to say hi, but if
they asked me questions I didn’t understand what they were
talking about or how to answer them. If something went
wrong in my apartment, with my car or if I needed to make a
doctor’s appointment for my kids, I had to look for help. I
tried to learn English on my own and it helped a little. Then I
came to LVSA and met an angel, my tutor, Mary. My life has
completely changed. Now I can speak, write and read
English. I’m also a member of the LVSA board now so I can
help other people the way LVSA helped me.
Literacy Facts
One in every seven adults
in Delaware reads at or
below a 5th grade
reading level.
Low literacy costs the
U.S. $225 billion or more
each year in lost
productivity in the
workforce, crime, and
loss of tax revenue due to
unemployment.
Nearly 25% of adults 25
years of age and older
living in poverty in New
Castle County have less
than a high school
education.
Children who grow up
with parents of limited
literacy skills are more
likely to have limited
literacy skills themselves.
(Data from Proliteracy website)
http://proliteracy.org/page.aspx?pid+34
5 and
http://www.proliteracy.org/page.aspx?p
id+370

9. Meet Rosendo
LVSA learner Rosendo is now very secure and confident in
his ability to deal with people and situations. Rosendo
says LVSA is the best program that he has participated in,
and he tries to convince his friends to enroll. He even
convinced his sister to enroll in the program! LVSA’s
method of instruction using real life material and its
flexible scheduling works the best for Rosendo. He says
everyone he works with is friendly and helpful. Judy,
Rosendo’s tutor, has helped him in many ways. She often
brings extra materials to enrich her class. Judy helped
Rosendo study for his GED. He achieved this milestone in
December 2013.
“Learning to read
has been the most
exciting experience
of my life. My life is
so much faster now.
When you can’t read
you’re in the dark.
One-on-one tutoring
opened up my
world. It makes me
feel like shouting in
my very soul.”
— Student

10. Former LVSA Executive Director/ Tutor Carmen Knox has
many wonderful memories of her experiences at LVSA, but
one student in particular sticks out in her mind. Early in the
program, LVSA had a female learner who was diagnosed with
learning disabilities, never learned to read, and was
unemployed. Once the learner had a child of her own, she
was determined to learn to read so that she could share books
with him. She had a wonderful tutor and eventually learned
to read and even obtained a job. Her success served as a
strong model for her son as he grew and attended school.
This learner could have not have accomplished her goal
without LVSA’s help. Carmen recognizes the importance of
literacy, and teaching people how to read and speak English
so they can become more productive citizens and improve
their lives.
Volunteer Gloria started as a tutor with LVSA in 1997. She
decided to become a tutor because she had teaching
experience, and lived abroad and knew how frustrating it is
not to be able to understand a foreign language. It was
important to Gloria to give back to the community, and LVSA
was a perfect match for her. Gloria continues to be an LVSA
volunteer, and now serves as an evaluator for the program.
Our Mission
Literacy Volunteers
Serving Adults offers
targeted instruction to
adults with limited literacy
and English language
skills. LVSA assists adult
learners to realize their
potential as confident,
self-sufficient, and
productive employees,
family members and
contributors to their
communities.
Our Vision
That all adults in Northern
New Castle County,
Delaware, will have the
skills necessary to more
fully participate in the lives
of their families and their
communities.

11. Meet Sue
In 1985, Sue took a brave step and joined LVSA, then
called Literacy Volunteers of America Wilmington Library
Affiliate. Before she enrolled in the program, the gaps in
her literacy skills made her feel hesitant and unsure of
herself. She relied on her spouse. Sue stated “My
husband was my rock. I was the water.” Sue spent three
years in the program diligently working with her tutor.
She says the program was “unbelievable,” and greatly
changed her life. Sue highly recommends the program to
anyone in need of literacy support. With the help of LVSA
staff and tutors Sue reached her goals!
LVSA Values
The core values of LVSA
drive all we say and do.
Literacy is the pathway to
improving relationships and
becoming self-sufficient
and productive.
Literacy makes our
communities more
functional and vibrant.
Our work is an investment
in our learners who are
assets to their
communities.
Volunteers make a
difference and they deserve
a rewarding experience.
Learners share
responsibility with tutors
for the success of the
learning experience.
We strive to use our
resources wisely and to
continuously improve our
services.
We are responsive to
changing literacy needs.
We treat all individuals with
respect and dignity.
Cultural diversity can
enhance learning and
promote understanding and
tolerance.
Collaboration with others
who share our mission
builds a more literate
Delaware.

12. Since its inception, LVSA has been fortunate to have financial
support from individuals, foundations and the business
community. This support enables us to provide supplies for
tutor training and instruction. Our contributors are a very
important part of our story.
Why do donors give to LVSA?
“I give because
 I love to read and cannot imagine what it must be like
to not be able to read.”
 I want to make an impact on my community.”
 I want to give back.”
 I can help make a person’s life better.”
 I remember how my parents struggled learning
English.”
 I can help parents who can then help their children.”
 It is worthwhile.”
 It is important and affects people’s lives.”
 I believe in the power of education to change people’s
lives.”
Spellebration
Since 2006 Spellebration, a
unique twist on the
traditional game of
Scrabble® has provided a
fun-filled day of food, drinks
and games to benefit LVSA.
The annual event and the
premiere fundraising event
for LVSA is a memorable day
that helps finance training
and teaching materials.

13. LVSA FACTS
We currently serve 130
adults students; 70% are
English language learners
The majority of students
(64%) are working adults,
ages 25 to 44
We average 50 people on
our waiting list
Volunteer tutors give
nearly 70,000 hours of
service, equal to
approximately $150,000
We follow state standards,
curriculum guidelines, and
are responsible for state
targets
Currently funded through
federal grant money,
United Way designations,
grants and individual
contributions
Meet Tommie
Tommie tutored with LVSA from 2006-2012 and
describes her experience working with the organization as
“powerful.” She became aware of the need for English
tutors and because she had experience teaching ESL,
LVSA was a great match for her. Tommie remembers a
special bond she formed with one of her students, Irina,
from the Ukraine. Irina became a member of Tommie’s
extended family, joining in holiday dinners and numerous
family functions. Tommie feels she has learned more
from the students then they have from her. “Determined”
and “courageous” are two words she uses to describe
LVSA students.

14. Literacy Facts
The McGraw Hill Research
Foundation, in a May 2011
study, identified Returns on
Investment from Adult
Education and Training in all
these areas:
Increased tax revenues,
greater business
productivity, increased
consumption, increased
workforce flexibility,
decreased reliance on
government financial
support
Higher salaries and benefits,
enhanced employment
opportunities and stability,
higher savings levels,
improved working
conditions, personal and
professional mobility
Reduced crime rate,
increased charitable giving
and community service,
increased quality of civic life,
social cohesion/appreciation
of diversity, improved ability
to adapt to and use
technology
Improved health and life
expectancy, improved
quality of life for children and
dependents, better and more
informed consumer decision
making, higher personal
status, more time for
hobbies and leisure activities
Meet Bill
Since 2006, tutor and former board chair Bill Ritchie has
been an active member of LVSA. To Bill, the idea of
helping an adult learn to read is appealing and satisfying.
A memorable moment Bill recalls from tutoring is helping
Amer. Bill remembers explaining “air brakes” while
helping Amer study for his commercial driver’s license.
Under his leadership, LVSA’s strategic planning, financial
management, use of technology, and program
accountability improved significantly.

15. Contributions includes gifts from individuals, the United Way Contributor Choice program, grants from
corporations and foundations, and special fundraising events.
Financial data taken from LVSA’s 2012-2013 independent audit. Literacy Volunteers Serving
Adults/Northern Delaware, Inc., is a tax exempt, 501[c][3] organization.
8%
44%
48%
LVSA Revenue Fiscal Year 2013
Other Contributions Government Grants
$101,660
$16,826
81%
9%
10%
LVSA Expenses Fiscal Year 2013
Program Services Management & General Fundraising
$17,694
$21,231
$92,295
$164,067

16. Many thanks to all the wonderful helpers and contributors to this booklet.
Special thanks to Donna Marie King (Development/Marketing Chair),
Bill Ritchie (photographs), Alexandra Clap (interviews/writing), Kelli Shermeyer (formatting)
Karen Bohn (proofing) and staff (Alyssa Almond and Cathy Opdenaker).
LVSA Cindy Shermeyer, Executive Director
P.O. Box 2083 Alyssa Almond, Program Coordinator
Wilmington, Delaware 19899-2083 Cathy Opdenaker, Administrative Assistant
302-658-5624 admin@litvolunteers.org
www.litvolunteers.org