Would you recommend Washtenaw Literacy?
I had a frustrating experience with them, trying to help. I'm sure they do good and it may work for others. I disliked the inefficiency and it wasn't the opportunity hoped for.
I was asking (simple) questions via e-mail and kept being told to go to an info meeting. Because they don't hold them often or at convenient times, it took over a month after contacting them before I could attend one.
At the info meeting, I had to sit through a presentation trying to convince me why I should help out. This wasn't a good use of my time or their's, as I already wanted to volunteer.
The answers to my questions, while helpful, could have saved me from attending the info meeting. This is because they couldn't use me in the time frame I was living in the area. Had they answered some of my questions by e-mail, it's possible that this wouldn't have been the case.
Outside looking in, there seems to be a lot of bureaucratic steps just to do simple things.
After volunteering with Washtenaw Literacy for more than ten years, my enthusiasm and sense of fulfillment continue to grow. This organization provides a variety of volunteer opportunities and constant support. Significantly, Washtenaw Literacy is flexible both with the individual volunteer and with the direction of the organization as situations and times may require.
Volunteering for Washtenaw Literacy for about 5 years has given me enjoyment, fulfillment, and a purpose in life. Working with people from different backgrounds and cultures has widened my horizon and enriched my life. The training, the support, and the collegiality the organization offers are outstanding. The staff members are a lot of fun!
As a long-time one-on-one ESL tutor for Washtenaw Literacy (11 years), I can highly recommend this non-profit organization. Their staff is excellent, providing strong training and support for tutors. The tutoring itself is very rewarding. It's hard to imagine a more satisfying job than one which helps people to interact more fully with the people and information sources around them.
Volunteering for Washtenaw Literacy has been a great experience. Helping adult learners improve their reading skills and meet personal goals is incredibly satisfying. Washtenaw Literacy is also a well run organization that provides volunteers with a lot of support. They believe in matching volunteers with tasks that meet individual skills and preferences - this is very important to me.
