Literacy Suffolk Celebrates Its Tutors and Other Volunteers

"I want to say thank you Tracy, and the rest of the folks at Literacy Suffolk. You have given me the opportunity to learn and prepare to become a citizen. Being able to work with Lucille has given me the chance to not only learn English but to study for my citizenship test for the last two years, along with everything else I was learning. I feel like it was easier for me to be prepared for the test because of this. I am lucky because I found the program in the library because I didn't have any idea when I came to the U.S about how I was going to learn English. I used to go to the library to get answers to my questions about how to make my life better here for my son and myself. It was at the library that someone told me about Literacy Suffolk. I give thanks for this program for helping me to become a citizen; and for being able to learn more about life in the United States. Literacy Suffolk introduced to me a good teacher who now feels like a friend who has not only taught me English but helps me to learn what I have to do concerning other things in this culture.  I really enjoyed the Oath Ceremony. The judge told stories about his life and his family coming to this country from Italy. He told us that he is the first judge in the family. He spoke about how his grandfather would have been amazed because his grandfather came to this country with very little. Also, the judge had invited a 92 year old veteran to be at the ceremony. This veteran also came from another country and wanted to welcome new citizens. The judge told us how his father had fought for this country too. I felt so great when we said the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. When the ceremony was done, I saw my boss, his son and Lucille were there. It felt so great that they came to support me. I felt so proud to have my picture taken in front of the flag now that I am a new citizen of this country.  Thank you again for everything."

Marvin Avendano