Be the Reason Someone Learns to Read

From the Office of Legislator Jeanne Vinal
5th District – Erie County Legislature

There are moments in a life when a few hours a week can change the course of someone’s story — and your own. On April 23rd, from 6:00-8:30 pm Legislator Jeanne Vinal is hosting a “Night of Consideration” at the Audubon Library (350 John James Audubon Parkway), for anyone who has ever felt the pull to serve others in a meaningful way by becoming a literacy volunteer.

A representative from Literacy Buffalo Niagara will be on hand to explain how the program works, to answer questions, and help connect you with opportunities to volunteer. This evening is about possibility.

Tutoring Story: Jeanne & ‘Fred’

For Legislator Vinal, serving for 5 years as a literacy volunteer was an experience that proved how small acts of service — listening, showing up, and believing in someone week after week — can be meaningful for both learner and teacher.

Jeanne Vinal tutored a Teamster we will refer to as ‘Fred‘ for this story. Fred had a great job delivering furniture and appliances for Sears… until they stopped the contract. At the time, he was helping to take care of his 4-year-old grandchild, his pride and joy. His granddaughter already knew the alphabet and many words.

Fred’s mother died when he was four, and his father followed shortly after with a broken heart. He was one of many children; his older sister tried to take care of her siblings while she was still young herself, but eventually the kids were broken up and scattered through foster care.

As many foster kids were, Fred was sent to live on a farm in the southern tier of NYS. He only went to school for 1 day! Fred ran away to Buffalo at fourteen and got a job for AM&A’s, driving a truck between the warehouse and stores.

A year into his new job, they asked him for his driver’s license.

He told them, “I don’t have one.”

They responded, “How do you know how to drive?”

He explained, “The clutch is the same as the equipment I drove on the farm.” Unsurprisingly, Fred was grounded to working in the warehouse —no more driving until he did get his license. At the time, a driver’s test could be read aloud to a candidate if they couldn’t read.

Now Fred found himself in need a replacement job — which required reading an application — and trying to keep pace with a four-year-old at home who was turning reading into a daily adventure. That was when Fred reached out to Literacy Volunteers (now LBN).

Meanwhile, high school student Jeanne Vinal sought to volunteer as a literacy tutor, but learned you had to be 18 years old. She applied again in college, and was asked, “Can you be truly dedicated, able to volunteer once a week for a full year except for a vacation here or there?”

After college, Jeanne signed right up.

She entered the literacy program the summer before law school. They trained in pairs — her partner was Margaret Sullivan. Margaret was a young reporter at the time, but went on to become the Buffalo News’ first female editor.

Jeanne was matched with her first student — Fred! Using the effective techniques she had been taught, coupled with a highly motivated and intelligent student, Fred had measurable success in only 1 year. He had read every word of Charlotte’s Web, every word of Heidi (unabridged), and a few short chapters of Charles Dickens.

So how does this story end? Fred got a job. He stopped always ordering hamburgers at the restaurant, because now he could read a full menu. And he stayed one step ahead of his granddaughter, who industriously wrote her own comic book at age give. Fred could read every word of it!

Fred and his family became friends for life with Jeanne; often they could be found playing cards and arguing politics.

Please come to our Night of Appreciation, and bring a friend! Turn a page in someone’s else’s life, and you might open a whole new chapter in your own.

For any questions or more information, contact Jeanne Vinal at (716) 858-8856.