2009-2010 Annual Reportwww.lvgh.org

Read. Learn. Grow.

Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford

Gene Evans steps into the role of board chair with enthusiasm, passion, and a longstanding commitment to Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford. A sales manager at Comcast Spotlight by day, Gene has been involved with LVGH in every capacity – she’s been a tutor, a member of our Marketing committee, and an avid fundraiser. Executive Director, Carol Hauss sits down with Gene to find out what keeps her going.

Q. As the incoming Board Chair, what do you hope to accomplish for the organization?

A. Well, what’s great about LVGH is that it’s dynamic and we’re continually changing to meet the needs of the community. I’m proud, for example that we’ve grown from 450 to 700 students in the past five years. My goal is to continue along the path that we have set and build our core ESOL and Basic Literacy programs as well as our Math Literacy and Pre-GED, and our enrollment in our Bloomfield Library program. We’ve made enormous progress, but there’s always more work to be done.

Q. There are so many nonprofits out there doing great work. What is it that draws you to LVGH?

A. That’s an easy one. In my mind, what’s always stood out about LVGH is the loyalty and dedication of our volunteers. These are people who literally come from all walks of life – young professionals, busy moms, retirees. There are so many different reasons why volunteers walk in our door, but when it comes down to it, we’re really all here for the same reason, and that’s to make this community a better place. I mean where else do you find accountants and people from the insurance industry in the classroom with new immigrants and Burmese refugees? It’s truly unbelievable to witness the impact that our 180 volunteers make every day.

Q. How do you see the changing role of LVGH as a provider in the community?A. In the past few years, we’ve really emerged at the leading private provider of

adult literacy services in the community. This basically means that we have become the “go to” organization for literacy services here in the Hartford region. We are getting more and more calls from community organizations, social service agencies, and educational institutions and we’re collaborating more than ever. We’re leading the charge not only because of our expertise, but because we recognize that no one organization can solve the literacy problem by itself.

“Gene is just the kind of leader we need right now. With all her years volunteering as an LVGH tutor and Board member, Gene has a healthy knowledge and respect for our history. She also has a vision of who we can become, as we take our place as leaders in Hartford’s literacy community. And Gene is a doer. She’ll get us there.”

– Carol Hauss, Executive Director

Q & A with New Board Chair, Gene Evans Board of DirectorsSenthil T. Nathan, ChairGene Evans, Vice ChairRichard Agins, Treasurer

Christopher Johnson, SecretaryNancy A. Brennan

Nanci FoxRobert J. Fiondella

Don HarrisGiuliana Musilli

Barri MarksJoan McCarthy Gentile

Lou SchiavoneRita Trivedi

Carol “CJ” DeVido Hauss, Executive Director

StaffCarol “CJ” Hauss, Executive Director

Stephanie Rubenzahl, Assistant DirectorMiriam Lopez, Administrative Assistant

Yvette Garner, Wickham Center Program Manager

Rose Howard, Basic Literacy Program Manager

Paula Beninato, ESOL Program ManagerPenny Sigal,

Community Engagement SpecialistMargie Arroyo, Program Assistant

Jared Chase, Program AssistantTori Hunter, Program Assistant

Nicole Jenkins, Program AssistantNathan Evans, Student Intern

Sam Greenebaum, Student InternSarah Marks, Student Intern

Sean McElhose, Student InternJon Reilly, Student Intern

Hartford Literacy Center30 Arbor Street

Hartford, CT 06106Phone: (860) 233-3853

Fax: (860) 236-1640Wickham Literacy Center

656 Burnside AvenueEast Hartford, CT 06108

Bloomfield Library Center1015 Blue Hills AvenueBloomfield, CT 06002

Community SitesSalvation Army

Center for Urban Research Education and Training (CURET)

Elizabeth Aiken Bethany Alvord

Adele Angle Ann Arcari

Douglas Bailey Mary Bannon

Christine Baptiste-McCalla

Marie Bastarache Robert D. Batch Paul Batterson Janette Baxter

Despina Beazoglou Diana Belbruno

Jack Botelho June Bray

Sybille Brewer, MD Maureen Brousseau

Mike Bruns Andrea Burrell Holly Butchyk

Andrew Bykowski Michelle Campbell Maureen Canning

Caris Carr Deborah Carson

Jared Chase Christine Chipman Diane Christensen

Despina Clark Paul Clark

Linda Cohen Don Shomari Cooper

Paula Cornelio Lois Davis James

Julie Dolben Lorraine Donagher

Robert Doyle Cindy Drozd

Robert Duncan Thomas Eysmans

Emmy Fast Joe Fichandler

Joan Fine Matthew Fitch Marlis Gage

Mary-Jane Gately Daniel Gauthier Thomas Giesen

Cordell Goulbourne Dean Hampton

Diane Harris Dwayne Harris Onika Harry Sally Hayes

Beverly Heckel Janine Hewitt

Cheri Hicks Sybil Holman

Shelia Huddleston Calvin Hood-Hughes

Richard Huntley Mary Ellen Jacobs

Nancy Jacobs Nicole Jenkins Anne Jennings

Sarah Jett Christine Johnson

Christopher Johnson Joshua Kaplan

William Kavanagh Nana Kittiphane

Byron Kopel Carolyn Korber

Judith Kulak Carla Kushin

Francesca LaFante Ken Lareau

Susan Lareau Theresa Leary Jo-Ann Lebel Stephen Lecco

Adlyn Loewenthal Sherry Lohr

Carol Loomis Martha Lott

Denise Lynch Melinda Mailhot

Sandra Maldonado Leta Marks

Tom McCudden Natalie Mendes

Lynn Metz Debbie Midford

Jessica Miller Karen Monell

Clifford Moore Margaret Moore

Lois Muraro Peg Newton

Julie Niggebrugge Kathleen Palaia

Neha Pande Darryl Parsley JoAnn Parylak Victor Perez Daniel Piano

Beth Polio Wendy Posner Richard Prager Albert Racine Phyllis Racine

Elizabeth Reilly Eileen Roche

Monica Rockefeller Crystal Ross

Farhad Sadighi Natasha Samuels Carol Schmidt Lynne Schoen Cynthia Schulz Nancy Sewell

Patricia Shanahan Michael Shauck

Penny Sigal Jas Singh

Sandra Smith-Resony Laurel Soper

Sadie Southgate Sally Starr

Becky Swanson-Bowers

Phil Talbot Lisa Terwilliger

Katharine Thomas Dennis Totten

Mary Jane Traska Edna Travis

Jocelyn Turner Lori Turner

Mildred Washington Keith Whitescarver

Frank Wildt Nancy Wildt

Cheryl Zinker

Volunteers are Our Stars!“When I'm between the four classroom walls, I have a feeling of hope and optimism. Some of my students have overcome some really difficult challenges, yet they show up day after day and work hard. I know there are still tons of people out there who can't read and write in English, but for that two hours, I'm doing my part.” - LVGH volunteer

2010 Volunteer Award Recipients (l to r),Carol Loomis, JoAnn Parylak, Senthil T. Nathan, Christine Baptiste-McCalla, and Martha Lott

Publishers Society(Gifts over $1500)Stephen Bayer and Elizabeth Schiro

Sybille Brewer, MDRobert J. and Michele FiondellaHoward and Sandra Fromson

Neale and Carol HaussChristopher and Gail Johnson

Ted and Adlyn LoewenthalSteve and Penny Sigal

Editors League (Gifts of $1000 - $1499)

Nancy A. BrennanPeter and Gene EvansSteve and Emmy Fast

Nanci FoxSenthil and Hema Nathan

Stephen and Amy Sills

Authors League (Gifts of $500 - $999)

Richard and Cara AginsPhilip and Phoebe Allen

Jim and Joan BettsAndrea Burrell

Rich and Barbara CarmanJared Chase

Bob Kagan and Marcy CainMary Jean Kilfoil

Barri MarksPeg Newton

Robert Schenkel and Stephanie RubenzahlScott Schooley and

Giuliana MusilliSybil Gillett Smith

Keith and Catherine StevensonRon and Ruth Van Winkle

Walter Wick and Linda Cheverton

Writers Circle (Gifts of $250 - $499)

Robert D. and Donna BatchStuart and Bran Berni

Cheryl Chase and Stuart BearStephen and Abbey Kreinik

Sarah Ann E. LeakeJohn and Sara O'Connell

Darryl Parsley

William and Mary Jane SullivanJohn and Marcia WilkinsonPeter M. and Ellen Zeman

Readers Circle (Gifts of $100 - $249)

Bernard Adams and Edna TravisElizabeth Aiken

Paul and Vivian BattersonJack Botelho

Susan BrosseauGale Bushnell

Caris CarrTrygve CooleyCarol Covello

Evan Cowles and Brie QuinbyBill and Doris Davis

Mark Deming and Linda SchofieldBarbara Donahue

Thomas Eysmans and Sheila Denion

Joseph and Ann FichandlerRichard and

Mary Louise FitzgeraldStephen Frazzini and

Sheila HuddlestonJoan Galliher

Edith GengrasSteven and Blanche Goldenberg

Lorraine GrodovichKenneth and Gail Hamblett

John W. HincksNancy Jacobs

James and Mary Ellen JacobsMichael and Vicki Konover

Craig Leroy and Bethany AlvordAnn Leventhal

Norman and Sonna LoewenthalJames and Carol Loomis

Hollace and Thomas LorchJoseph Marfuggi

Rob and Lynn MetzKaren Monell

John S. MurthaWanda Newman

James and Joyce PetersEmily W. Rankin

Gary and Diane RansomJohn and Caroline Rohrbach

Peter and Betsy Russell

Joseph and Mary SargentTony and Alison Scherer

Paul and Beth SciarraSteven Seligman and KK Meyer

Robert SigmanJohn E. Simmons

Janis SimonJanet Sodell

William and Mary Jane SullivanKatherine Hart and William Uricchio

Lee and Carol WestJeffrey and Mary Zeman

Friends Circle (Gifts of up to $99)

Dan and Jane ArnoldLorraine M. AronsonMarilyn W. Ballard

Barbara BarnesBarbara Barrett

Michael Bavasso and Diana NobertNancy Bestor

Stephen and Christina BreenMrs. William Bronson

Kate BuschJeffrey and Kristin CianfloneAlastair and Dorothy Clark

Denise deFiebreLynne Ditman

Mary C. DoughertyDaniel and Joan

Michael and Patricia FreedmanMary-Jane Gately

Paula GilbertoJames B. Given, MD

John and Aileen HalloranPaul HartungLois HarwickSally Hayes

Janine HewittOmar Jibril and Amina Ali

Julia Ann JohnsonRobert P. and Alice H. Jones

Shirley JuranMichael and Esther Kahn

Marvin and Janet KayMr. and Mrs. Josiah Kirby

David Kline

Thank You to Our Donors Individual Gifts

Revs. Robert and Fidelia LaneStuart and Martha LottRick and Nicole Lugli

George and Mary MalesWilliam and Joanne Marriott

Lois MathieuNatalie Mendes

Irvin and Joyce MigliettaBarbara MurphyJanice Niehaus

Arthur and Marion O'DonnellJames and Cynthia O'Leary

Martin PaddlesFloyd and Robie Parsley

Martha PorteusRebecca Rahn

Judy ReedMark Rosenblum and

Lisa DeRenzoDouglas and Linda Roth

Helen RothMichael SanteseLisa M. Scarola

Earl and Cynthia SchulzPatricia A. Scully

Daniel and Lynn SharpMeg Sheehan

Mrs. Robert SmithAlan Stavola

Edward and Marilyn StocktonJohn and Leslie Stophel

Peter Tittmann and Allys Maybank

Jahala Ann TomaselliMartin and Dorine Toyen

Andy and Rosemary TyskiewiczMr. and Mrs. Robert J. von Dohlen

Priscilla WadeCarolyn Wesley

Richard and Louise WhalenWilliam and Deborah Whiting

Louise WilderKathryn Winkeler

John and Judy Zinn

Honorary GiftsLoretta Berry

Deborah BishopAlan Burger

Gary and Carol Dornbush

Ellen Eisenberg, DMDPeter and Gene Evans

Daniel and Bonnie GauthierNeale and Carol Hauss

Roy and Nancy NormenBrenda Roggeveen

Ned and Norma RoginLouis Schiavone

Steve and Penny SigalKelly SmagaczRuth Timme

Martin and Dorine ToyenChristopher and Elaine Wolf

Gifts were made in honor of:

Sybille Brewer, MDBarbara Carman

John and Martha ChurchThe Claflins

Michelle DornbushPeter and Gene Evans

Mrs. M.K. GilmoreThe GirardsCarol Hauss

The Hawkins FamilyTom and Holly Lorch

Claire MezzanotteDarryl Parsley

Margaret and Bob PatricelliDr. Kim Richard

The Robbins FamilyMrs. Nancy Roggeveen

Bill Rubenstein and Judy Eisenberg

Mr. and Mrs. Louis Schiavone, Jr.The TamacciosElaine Timme

The Worth Family

Memorial GiftsCecile Baker

James and Judith BonkChristopher R. and Jane Brewster

Richard and Ann CohenBrent and Bonnie Hodges

Barri MarksEileen Naegelin and Jean Todesca

Marianne NunezClaire Riley

Susan J. RomanHon. Nicola E. Rubinow

Deborah RupoloRobert Schenkel and Stephanie Rubenzahl

Martin and Dorine ToyenAnthony and Antionette Valdati

Stewart Wolff

Gifts were made in memory of:James L. BakerRalph Brewer

Robert DeVidoMuriel DoucetteMartha Fazzano

Pearl FelsonLarry Johnson

Dr. Easwar NatarajanDr. Rekha PawarKatherine Quish

Elva Ryan

“Before I came to LVGH, it was so hard for me to read and write. I picked up books to read and there were so many words that I didn’t know. Now I have a job, and I can write reports about residents at work. Reading has become the main thing in my life now. I read every day for 10 or 15 minutes, and that makes my day.” - Basic Literacy student

Event CommitteeRobert J. Fiondella, Chair

Gene EvansNanci Fox

Chelle GrandeStephanie Rubenzahl

Penny SigalSuzy Yaklin

PatronsRichard and Cara Agins

Elizabeth AikenJohn Alves

Helene BakerStephen Becker

Larry and Jean BerkwittStuart and Bran Berni

Nancy A. BrennanSybille Brewer, MD

Andrea BurrellPaul and Despina Clark

Brian and Denise ConnollyMichael and Deborah DellaBianca

Lynne DitmanBarbara Donahue

Peter and Gene EvansDaniel and Joan

Robert J. and Michele FiondellaNanci Fox

Michael and Wendy GacekJoan Galliher

Daniel and Bonnie GauthierTerry Gellin

Joan McCarthy GentilePaul and Victoria Guertin

Dorothy HatchNeale and Carol Hauss

Sally HayesJohn and Trish HessleinMrs. Richard Hughes

Christopher and Gail JohnsonStanley and Joyce Kotzker

Ted and Adlyn LoewenthalJames and Carol Loomis

Barri MarksRob and Lynn MetzLawrence Mowell

Peg NewtonHenry and Janie Palasek

Darryl ParsleyJames and Joyce Peters

Elizabeth PlumleyMichael and Elizabeth Reilly

Kenneth and Bonnie Cummins Robson

Avery and Monica RockefellerRosalie Roth

David and Linda RothIra Rubenzahl and Abigail Dolinger

Elizabeth K. RussellLouis Schiavone

Scott Schooley and Giuliana Musilli

Steven and Janet SeldenRobert Schenkel and Stephanie RubenzahlSteve and Penny Sigal

Robert and Sharon SmithAndy and Rosemary Tyskiewicz

Ron and Ruth Van WinkleDonald and Monica Wilson

Richard Wilson and Helene Kvale

Auction DonorsPhilip and Phoebe AllenBasketball Hall of Fame

Beverly Hills Limousine of CTBushnell Center

for Performing ArtsCafe Louise

Carbone's RistoranteJared Chase

Chrysalis DesignsComcast Cable

Connecticut Science Center

John D. CouryCrazy Bruce's Liquors

Cuvee of West Hartfordda Capo

Dog Days of West HartfordPeter and Gene Evans

Robert J. and Michele FiondellaFirst & Last Tavern of Avon

Joan McCarthy GentileGolf Club of AvonIRIS Photography

Jo-Ann LebelDavid R. Lemoine, Jr.Lerner & Company

Ted and Adlyn LoewenthalMax Restaurant Group

Monarch JewelersPeg Newton

Darryl ParsleyPlat du Jour

Project ClosetRacquet Koop

Michael and Elizabeth ReillyLynne SchoenJoe Sperveri

Style 411Talk of CT

The Tennis CenterMary Jane Traska

West Side Wines and SpiritsWilson Photography

Corporate SponsorsCantor Colburn, LLP

Geeks for GoodJerob EnterprisesPepe and Hazard

Sigman & RochlinTravelers Foundation

Turnbull RealtyWealth Preservation Partners

Thank You to Our Donors Special Events

“Now I am a U.S. citizen. I learned U.S. history at LVGH and this helped me to pass my Citizen-ship test. I had to know information about the President, the U.S. Capitol, and the voting laws. It wasn’t easy! I feel proud of myself because I am now able to vote in the next election.” - ESOL student

Corporate and Foundation SupportAetna Foundation

Aldo DeDominicis Foundation, Inc.Beatrice Fox Auerbach FoundationAllied World Assurance Company

Bissell Foundation. Inc.Hartford Foundation for Public Giving

Lincoln Financial GroupMichael Norman Cohen & Associates

Milliman Owenoke Foundation

Sorenson-Pearson Family FoundationSt. John's Parish

The Fund for Greater HartfordTwo-Four, LLC

Walmart

Community SupportChurch of St. Timothy

Church of the Holy FamilyLarrabee Fund

Rotary Club of East HartfordTown and County Club

United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut

United Way of Greater New HavenUnited Way of Greater Waterbury

United Way of Pioneer ValleyUnited Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania

Vernon Junior Women's ClubWelcome Rebekah Lodge

In-Kind SupportBeth El Synagogue Youth Group

Comcast CableDean Hampton

Thank You to Our Donors Corporate and Community Gifts

Income Sources FY 2009-2010 (unaudited)

Private Grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $197,456

Government Grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $156,847

Fundraising Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $93,039

United Way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50,941

Misc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $17,214 30%

38%18%

9%

3%

“Before coming to LVGH, I did not even know how to turn on the computer. I had to ask someone at work to do it for me, and it was very embarrassing. Since I have been attend-ing class, I have improved to the point where I use the computer without any help. These types of skills have helped me to keep my job.” - Basic Literacy student

KuKu emigrated to the U.S.from a refugee camp in Thailand only two years ago. With lots of hard work and perseverance, today KuKu works independently in our Computer Lab and has earned her high school diploma.

Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford30 Arbor St.Hartford, CT 06106

Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford

Mission StatementThe mission of

Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford

is to improve the ability of Greater Hartford adults

to read, write, and speak English.

Non-Profit Org.

US Postage

PAID

Hartford, CT06101

Permit No. 132

Tutor Training Revamp: Volunteer training is at the core of what we do. The new tutor training is continuously reviewed, providing volunteers with up-to-date research in the field of adult education. This year, we're restructuring the format of the tutor training to incorporate new teaching methodologies with a focus on technology in the classroom.

Bricks and Mortar: Hear some hammering and drilling at our Hartford Literacy Center this summer? That's because we've under-gone a construction project. We're adding

new classrooms in order to accommodate the vast need for literacy services and our growing student body. In the upcoming year, we'll be serving even more students than ever, including referrals from Job Corps and Family Life Education.

Eat. Drink. Dance. Read. Learn. Grow: Our first annual fundraiser at the Golf Club of Avon was a success! This year, we will continue the fun on Saturday, April 9, 2011. Come do a little eating, drinking, and dancing, and show your support for LVGH.

Right Around the Corner in 2010-2011…