2011 - 2012 ANNUAL REPORTwww.lvgh.org

Celebrating 40 Years40

LVGH 2011-12 BY THE NUMBERS : 184: # OF TUTORS 2011-12 • $343,209: ESTIMATED $ VALUE OF TUTOR HOURS • 12,359: TOTAL # OF HOURS GIVEN BY TUTORS (AVG. OF 68 HOURS PER TUTOR!) • 94%: OVERALL STUDENT RETENTION RATE

Letter from the Executive Director

Income Sources FY 2011-2012 (unaudited)

Private Grants.......................$224,250

Government Grants.............$157,470

Fundraising Activities .........$128,871

United Way............................$53,186

Misc.........................................$13,084

Celebrating 40 Years40Forty years of old LVGH photos, Board minutes, and news clippings* make one thing clear: we look nothing like we did in 1972, when a handful of committed volunteers first hatched the idea of a Hartford Literacy Volunteers. And then tire-lessly ran the agency, without staff, for over a decade. We have transformed and progressed and transformed again. Pairs of students and tutors are no longer scattered around the city, doing the best they can with the resources at hand. We now have three Literacy Centers, strategically located to serve the neediest neighborhoods. Each Center is a learning community, designed to give both students and tutors the support they need to have rewarding and successful educational experi-ences. In 1972, we provided only Basic Literacy. Today we offer seven levels each of Basic Literacy and English for Speakers of Other Languages, GED, Computer Literacy, Math, Citizenship and Job Readiness. In our early years, we served around 100-125 students annually. This year we served a record 744 students.

We are also no longer at the mercy of a single funder, but are supported by a diverse and growing network of donors. Our Board no longer worries about volunteer recruitment and training; instead, they govern, ensuring

that LVGH has the resources and infrastructure that keep an agency strong. We now communicate more online than off, through an active website, Facebook, and Boomerang, our e-newsletter. This Annual Report is our first to be delivered electronically.

And yet, as Katherine Anne Porter put it, “The past is never where you think you left it.”

Some things from the past we are happy to leave behind – like those fashions from the 80’s. But there are common threads that have carried this agency forward through all the ups and downs of its four decades of evolution.

Our work has always relied on the commitment of our volunteers and their capacity to draw others into our com-munity. Our programs have always been designed around the needs, and perhaps more importantly, the goals of our students. The tutor-student relationship has always been a team effort, each learning

and teaching the other. Even morphing from one-on-one to small-group instruction, we’ve maintained our individualized approach, although today it’s likely to include some technology along with human resources. Ours is a history of building partner-ships. Long before “collabo-ration” became trendy, we were uniting with schools, community organizations, and congregations to strengthen our program and broaden our services. We have adapted and innovated throughout the years, but stayed true to our mission and the values our founders established. We learned from their successes and missteps. We’ve drawn from their experience, and built on their foundation. We’ve learned from the tens of thousands of students who have studied here, and the thousands of volunteers who have shared their time, knowledge and compassion.

We began as an organiza-tion whose mission was to teach Hartford area adults to read, write and speak English. Forty years later, that is what we continue to do. Thanks to those who came before us, we just do it better than ever.

Carol “CJ” Hauss,Executive Director

*Click on the e-version of the Annual Report’s timeline to do some browsing yourself.

Changing SpacesWith a record enrollment of 744 students in 2011-2012, we need more space! Thanks to H2Z Design, we have a new floor plan for our Hartford Literacy Center that will give us four more classrooms. Our challenge this year will be to raise the funds to make these renovations a reality.

Preparing Students for GED & BeyondTaught by teachers from the Adult Education Center of Hartford, our GED class meets at the Hartford Literacy Center twice a week. To pass the GED test, however, students need more classroom time, especially in Math. This year, our tutors will make that happen, offering additional Pre-GED and Math classes.

Annual Fundraising GalaDon’t miss our 4th annual Eat. Drink. Dance. Read. Learn. Grow. event, set for April 6, 2013 at the Farmington Club. Watch for the invitation coming this winter!

Community LeadershipLVGH Executive Director CJ Hauss was recently appointed Chair of the Leadership Team of the Capital Region Adult Literacy Partnership. This initiative brings together key stakeholders from the adult educa-tion community to realize our shared vision of a fully literate Greater Hartford. In her role, CJ will lead the effort to implement a regional strategic plan to deliver seamless, quality adult literacy and workforce services throughout the area.

What’s Coming in 2012-2013?

VOLUNTEERS

Sarah Marks Kevin Martinez Michael May Jackie McBee Tina McCary Jeannette McDonald Yolanda Melendez Clordean Mendes Heidi Michaud Debbie Midford Beatrice Mitlak Elsa Monteiro Clifford Moore Margaret Moore Rebecca Natale Peg Newton Yuletzi Niedbala Julie Niggebrugge Robert Nikander Courtney Nowick Heather O’Connor Maxine O’Connor Karyn O’Donnell Gail Obedzinski Nanushka Ortiz Martha Owens Kathleen Palaia Neha Pande Darryl Parsley Rich Pearson Victor Perez Daniel Piano Wendy Posner Shirley Quintero Brendan Roche Eileen Roche Janet Rosenblatt Crystal Ross

Mary Russell Farhad Sadighi Carol Schmidt Jane Schneider Cynthia SchulzJerry ScottPatricia ShanahanMichael ShauckAndrea SheldonTalisha ShelleyPamela SimonChristine SkellySandra Smith-ResonyLaurel SoperGary SpiekerPam SpinazolaTeresa SuganskiRoberta SwaffordPhil TalbotDeidre TappinTyrone ThorntonDennis TottenMary-Jane TraskaEdna TravisJocelyn TurnerAmelia VillemaireMark WallerStephanie WardRobyne WatkinMichelle WeathersKeith WhitescarverBrooke WhittemoreFrank WildtNancy WildtCourtney WileyDennis Winkleblack Jennifer Zakrzewski

Elizabeth AikenDebbie Albert Jesse Allen Sherise Allen Bethany Alvord Mandeep Bajwa Raelene Bakulski Mary Bannon Christine Baptiste-McCalla Kim Barberi Marie Bastarache Jeannine Batiste Paul Batterson Maureen Bechard Diana Belbruno Chloe Bellizzi Marie Bernatchez June Bray Sybille Brewer, MD Maureen Brousseau Kay Burns Caris Carr Deborah Carson David Carter Christine Chipman Diane Christensen Arleen Cipollini Despina Clark Linda Cohan Linda Cohn Jeremy Collings Cynthia Colton-Reichler Shirley Coscina Susan Cosma Philip Cummings Ava Cunningham Kendra Dahlquist Leslie Dalenta Lois Davis James Soukeyna Diop Lorraine Donagher Cathy Donahue Jean Donahue Sheila Dorman Robert Doyle Meg Duffy Linda Duncan Suzanne Dutilly Julie Eason Ben Engel

Thomas Eysmans Emmy Fast Linnette Figueroa Daniel Fine Cynthia Flynn Joseph Flynn Nanci Fox Erika Frank Sue Fulleton Marlis Gage David Gajowiak Mary-Jane Gately Daniel Gauthier Lynn Gelinas Thomas Giesen Julio Gonzales Cordell Goulbourne Elizabeth Greenberg Matthew Harris Paul Hartung David Hauss John Hebert Janis Hecht Rebecca Hecker Mark Hennessy Lisa Herrera Bob Hodge Calvin Hood-Hughes Marisa Howard Rose Howard Geraldine Hyjek Mary Ellen Jacobs

Nancy Jacobs Nicole James Kathleen Jensen Christopher Johnson Peter Jones Jeffrey Kaimowitz Jane Kelly Cory Kern Lea Kessler Shaw Donna Kidwell Paul Knierim Judith Kulak Carla Kushin Helene Kvale Ken Lareau Susan Lareau Paula Lawless Stephanie Leaphart Theresa Leary Marva Ledbetter Clair Leighton Sara LeMaster Vanessa Lennerton Rikel Lightner Suzanne Lindblom Carol Loomis Martha Lott Wendy Lyon Barbara Maidelis Melinda Mailhot Virginia Major Cynthia Malm

744: # OF STUDENTS SERVED 2011-12 (14% INCREASE OVER 2010-2011!) • 41% MALE, 59% FEMALE • 39,509: TOTAL # OF STUDENT LEARNING HOURS • BETWEEN 25-44: AVERAGE AGE OF LVGH STUDENTS

1970s - Birth of an Agency

A small group of dedicated volunteers officially formed

Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford on September 27, 1972. Based at Asylum Hill Congregational Church, the

first year’s entire operating budget was just $3,600. The all-volunteer staff focused on

recruiting and training vol-unteer tutors, who served an impressive 116 Basic Literacy

students in the first year. One-on-one tutoring took

place at variety of community sites: churches, libraries,

community centers, local corporations like CIGNA,

Aetna, and Hartford Hospital- even city parks!

40Years of LVGH

Individual Donors

Janice and Peter GreenbergKenneth and Gail HamblettJohn W. HincksJames and Mary Ellen JacobsNancy JacobsJeffrey and Llyn KaimowitzAnn Foxen KennyJames and Carol LoomisLeta MarksHarry and Mary MeyerIrvin and Joyce MigliettaEdgardo MuneJohn and Sara O’ConnellGary and Diane RansomBrendan Roche and Martha SperandioPeter and Betsy RussellJoseph and Mary SargentEarl and Cynthia SchulzPaul and Beth SciarraPatricia A. ScullyJohn E. SimmonsEliot and Carrie StreimMartin and Dorine ToyenMariana P. WagonerDavid and Marcia WaitzmanTish WeisserFrank and Nancy WildtSonia Witter-Angus Friends Circle (Gifts of up to $99) Robert and Judith AndersonLorraine M. AronsonCecile BakerBarbara BarnesJean BlairWalter and Kelley BonnStephen and Christina BreenGale BushnellSusan CercielloAlastair and Dorothy ClarkLinda CohanRaul and Emilie de BrigardMary C. Dougherty

Julie EasonRuth EllisonWoody ExleyJohn and Ellen FranklinMichael and Patricia FreedmanChristine GaudioPaula GilbertoJohn and Aileen HalloranJ. Roger and Ann HanlonPaul HartungFernando and Anna IllescasShirley JuranMichael and Esther KahnMarvin and Janet KayRichard Wilson and Helene KvalePeggy LorenceWendy LyonWilliam and Joanne MarriottJames and Danielle NaylorJanice NiehausRoy and Nancy NormenArthur O’DonnellJames and Cynthia O’LearySalvatore and Kathleen PalaiaJoyce PetersJudy ReedEllen RichardsonMark Rosenblum and Lisa DeRenzoMichael and Kathleen SanteseTony and Alison SchererDaniel and Lynn SharpPam SpinazolaEdward and Marilyn StocktonJohn and Leslie StophelMary-Jane TraskaAndy and Rosemary TyskiewiczSherry ValleeRichard and Louise Whalen Michael Raber and Hila Yanai

Pulitzer Society (Gifts of $5000 and over) Robert J. and Michele FiondellaChristopher and Gail JohnsonByron Kopel (bequest)Lawrence and Carle Mowell Publishers Society(Gifts of $1500-$4999) Sybille Brewer, MDSteve and Emmy FastNeale and Carol HaussMichael and Elizabeth ReillyScott Schooley and Giuliana MusilliSteve and Penny Sigal Editors League (Gifts of $1000 - $1499) Mary H. CraryPeter and Gene EvansKeith and Catherine Stevenson Authors League (Gifts of $500 - $999) Elizabeth AikenJim and Joan BettsJared ChaseJohn & Barbara DonahueRebecca and Steve HeckerMary Jean KilfoilCraig Leroy and Bethany AlvordMelinda MailhotJoseph MarfuggiBarri MarksPeg NewtonDarryl ParsleyDavid and Linda RothRob and Stephanie SchenkelBrian and Andrea SheldonStephen and Amy SillsJas and Jill SinghDennis TottenRon and Ruth Van Winkle

Walter Wick and Linda ChevertonPeter M. and Ellen Zeman Writers Circle (Gifts of $250 - $499) Philip and Phoebe AllenRobert D. and Donna BatchPaul and Vivian BattersonPeter and Catherine BennerStuart and Bran BerniThomas and Deborah CarsonDaniel and Joan FineNanci FoxStephen and Abbey KreinikSarah Ann E. LeakeAvery and Monica RockefellerChristine and Ross SkellyBernard Adams and Edna TravisJohn and Marcia Wilkinson Readers Circle (Gifts of $100 - $249) June BrayKathleen BromageCaris CarrNoreen ChannelsJeffrey and Kristin CianflonePaul and Despina ClarkTrygve CooleyCarol CovelloDenise deFiebreMark Deming and Linda SchofieldCathy DonahueRobert Doyle and Lorraine Grodovich, DMDThomas Eysmans and Sheila DenionRichard and Mary Louise FitzgeraldMary-Jane GatelyClayton and Edith GengrasSam GilbertSteven and Blanche GoldenbergVictoria Gonzalez

32% OF STUDENTS IN BASIC LITERACY CLASSES, 65% IN ENGLISH FOR SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES (ESOL) • 99%: STUDENTS WHO MET THEIR EDUCATIONAL GOALS FOR THE YEAR

1975: Responding to a critical need in the Hartford community for people from other countries to learn to speak, read, and write English, LVGH adds English as a Second Language tutoring to its programming.

1980s - A Time of Growth and Change, Searching for

a Home BaseThroughout the ‘80s, LVGH

expanded throughout the Hartford community, hired

its first paid staff, transitioned from one-on-one to small group

tutoring, and opened its first computer lab. Adjusting to

these changes, LVGH moved around to several different

homes during this time, including Asylum Hill

Congregational Church, Moylan School, SAND,

110 Washington Street, the YWCA, and St. John’s

Church. LVGH couldn’t have grown into what it

is today without the early collaboration of these other

organizations.

1986: “It’s opening up a

new life for me, some-thing I kept hid for a long time. I feel very

confident now that I can pick up a book

and read it and know what it is saying.”

– Sam Robinson, Basic Literacy student,

Bloomfield

1973: LVGH hits a national record for number of volunteers serv-ing 100 hours or more. From the very beginning, our tutor retention rate has always been above the national average.

58: # OF STUDENTS WHO ACHIEVED GOAL OF GAINING EMPLOYMENT • 94: # OF STUDENTS WHO ACHIEVED GOAL OF INCREASED INVOLVEMENT IN CHILD’S EDUCATION/SCHOOL • 39,509: TOTAL # OF STUDENT LEARNING HOURS

Corporate and Foundation Support

Corporate and Foundation Support 3M FoundationAaron Hollander FundAetna FoundationAldo DeDominicis Foundation, Inc.Barbara Sicherman FundThe Auerbach Schiro FoundationBeatrice Fox Auerbach FoundationBell-Carman Family FoundationBruner Family Charitable FundCharles Nelson Robinson FoundationCommon Sense FundConnecticut Natural GasEnsworth Charitable FoundationFarmington BankFund for Greater Hartford GraingerHartford Foundation for Public GivingINGLincoln Financial Foundation, nc.Michael Norman Cohen & Associates

New Alliance Foundation, Inc.Owenoke FoundationRBC FoundationThe Sandra and Arnold Chase Family FoundationSimon Hollander FundSorenson-Pearson Family FoundationTravelersUIL Holdings CorporationUnited TechnologiesVernon D. and Florence E. Roosa Family Foundation

Community Support

Church of the Holy FamilyCity of HartfordFaith Trumbull Chapter DARState of Connecticut Depart-ment of EducationUnited Way of Central and Northeastern ConnecticutUnited Way of Pioneer Valley

In-Kind Support

3M FoundationBarbara DonahueChristopher and Gail JohnsonH2Z Design, LLCSybille Brewer, MDWest Hill Elementary SchoolWhittlesey & Hadley, P.C.

Corporate & Community Donors

Memorial Gifts Pamela Babut In memory of: John P. RichardsCoe Bancroft In memory of: Louise LaBrossePaul and Vivian Batterson In memory of: Leonce Joseph MartinMarco Bisaccia and Susan Darling In memory of: Mary LarsenCatherine Boyes In memory of: Robert HuntRachel Bray In memory of: Byron KopelGlen Briden In memory of: William F. SullivanRuth Burnstein In memory of: Byron KopelBushnell Center for the Performing Arts In memory of: Louise LaBrosseGerry Chevalier & Lisa Reigle In memory of: John P. RichardsRichard and Ann Cohen In memory of: William HartleyMary Cunningham In memory of: William F. SullivanMaureen Fast In memory of: Byron KopelJoseph and Ann Fichandler In memory of: Sybil SandersJoan H. Fisher In memory of: Louise LaBrosseAngela Griffin In memory of: Robert J. WolosiukKevin Guthrie In memory of: William F. SullivanNeale and Carol Hauss In memory of: William F. SullivanBeverly Heckel In memory of: Gloria HeckelRoscoe and Judy Hillebrecht In memory of: John P. RichardsStephen and Susan Hussey In memory of: William F. SullivanNobera, Iknko, and Motomi Kiomra In memory of: John P. RichardsPatricia Kirwin In memory of: Louise LaBrosseKathleen LaPlant In memory of: Louise LaBrosseThomas and Hollace Lorch In memory of: William F. SullivanMartha Lott In memory of: Stuart LottJanice Mann In memory of: Louise LaBrosseFrances and Maurice McCloskey, Jr. In memory of: William F. SullivanRonald and Denise Muller In memory of: Louise LaBrosseMarlaina Napoli In memory of: Louise LaBrosseLena Richards In memory of: John P. RichardsAdam and Shoko Richards In memory of: John P. RichardsDonald and Thomas Richards In memory of: John P. RichardsSusan J. Roman In memory of: Larry JohnsonSusan J. Roman In memory of: William F. SullivanElizabeth K. Russell In memory of: Matthew KilgariffAnna, Michael, Philip and Francis Sanzari In memory of: William F. SullivanSteve and Penny Sigal In memory of: Samuel GoldCynthia Simpson In memory of: Gilda P. TerafinoSybil Gillett SmithIn memory of: Martha Smith FazzanoLouise Wilder In memory of: Robert WilderJames and Grace Williams In memory of: William F. SullivanStephen and Barbara Winalski In memory of: John P. Richards

Honorary Gifts Larrabee Fund Association, Inc. of Greater HartfordIn honor of: CJ Hauss

Aetna Foundation In honor of: Rebecca Hecker

UnitedHealth Group In honor of: Lynn Gelinas and Stephanie Leaphart

The Hartford In honor of: Susan Lareau

United Health Care In honor of:Jeremy Collings

Kaman Helicopters In honor of:Dave Carter

Norman and Sonna LoewenthalIn honor of: Adlyn Loewenthal

Darryl Parsley In honor of: Paula Beninato, Rose Howard, and Miriam Lopez

Andrew and Suzanne Pinkes In honor of: Jill Jones

John and Anne Martha PitegoffIn honor of: Rachel Waitzman

PWC In honor of: Susan Poole

Brenda Roggeveen In honor of: Nancy Roggeveen, Margaret & Bob Patricelli, M.K. Gilmore

Lynne Shapiro In honor of: Paula Conis

Zachary Sigal In honor of: Penny Sigal

Grant and Paula Totten In honor of: Dennis Totten

1990s -

Engaging Students and the CommunityThe ‘90s were a time of in-depth student and community involvement for LVGH. LVGH operated multiple program sites at libraries, schools, and community centers through-out Greater Hartford, in addition to the work at our Hartford Center. Greater ef-forts were made to recruit tu-tors from the neighborhoods being served. Students were active in literacy awareness campaigns and organized several fundraising events throughout these years.

1995: After several location changes over the years, LVGH moves to 30 Arbor Street, finally establishing a permanent home base in which to grow and thrive.

Rob and Stephanie SchenkelScott Schooley and Giuliana MusilliPatricia A. ScullyCengiz and Jennifer SearfossSteven and Janet SeldenWanda SeldonBrian and Andrea SheldonSteve and Penny SigalJas and Jill SinghAnthony and Patricia SistiChristine and Ross SkellyRobert and Sharon SmithRoberta SwaffordYanil TeronAdam and Rebecca TonkinsonMartin and Dorine ToyenRon and Ruth Van WinkleRyan and Jennifer VigneaultDavid and Marcia WaitzmanWyrot WardKevin and Michelle WeathersArmistead WebsterFrank and Nancy WildtFrank and Nancy WildtJohn and Christine WilliamsJohn and Judy Zinn Auction Donors Avery’s BeveragesAvon Old Farms HotelBarcelona Restaurant & Wine BarBeverly Hills Limousine of CTBushnell Center for Performing Arts

Carbone’s RistoranteChloe BellizziChristopher and Gail JohnsonChrysalis DesignsConnecticut Science Centerda CapoDaniel and Joan FineElizabeth AikenHartford StageJames and Mary Ellen JacobsJeffrey and Llyn KaimowitzLerner & CompanyM & R LiquorsManchester Wine & LiquorsMark and Bethany RyanMary-Jane TraskaMonarch JewelersNails ProNeale and Carol HaussPastrami on WryPaul and Despina ClarkPeg NewtonPeter and Gene EvansPilgrim Furniture CityPlayhouse on ParkRachel WaitzmanRob and Lynn MetzRobert J. and Michele FiondellaTheaterWorksUIL Holdings CorporationVictoria’s Beauty CenterVita’s Italian RestaurantWadsworth Atheneum Museum of ArtWanda SeldonWest Side Wines and SpiritsYuletzi Niedbala Corporate & Community Sponsors Advance Security IntegrationAetnaAlstom PowerHARC, Inc.Jerob EnterprisesThe Michael Carlson AgencyMilliman ActuaryMonarch JewelersTravelersWealth Preservation Partners

Special Events

Event CommitteeRobert Fiondella, ChairLiz AikenGene EvansNanci FoxRebecca HeckerMartha LottPeg NewtonYuletzi NiedbalaMichelle Weathers

PatronsElizabeth AikenDebbie AlbertWilliam and Martha AmanPaul and Jan AtkinsDirk and Bonnie AubeBertha BakerJean Francois and Michele BeauleJenny BergeronMartin BlumsShirley BoronJohn and Kim BowenSybille Brewer, MDMark BriggsAlan and Cassandra ButlerJoseph and Lisa CalafioreCaris CarrEllen CarterVito and Anne CatilloPaul and Despina ClarkBrian and Denise ConnollyEvan Cowles and Brie QuinbyBingham McCutchenPeter and Gene EvansIsaac FernandezDaniel and Joan FineRobert J. and Michele FiondellaNanci FoxMary-Jane GatelyRichard and Joan GentilePhil and Stephanie GrowickPaul and Victoria GuertinJonathan and Dorothy HatchWilliam and Abigail Hausberg

Neale and Carol HaussSteve and Rebecca HeckerLisa HerreraJohn and Trish HessleinRosemary JacobJames and Mary Ellen JacobsNancy JacobsTina JeterChristopher and Gail JohnsonSteve JonesJeffrey and Llyn KaimowitzAnn Foxen KennyRichard Wilson and Helene KvaleJames and Eleanor LaneLarry and Suzanne LevereJames and Carol LoomisPeggy LorenceMartha LottGeoffrey and Janelle MantonRobert MarchettiBarri MarksAmy McClutchyMary Rose McHughRob and Lynn MetzLawrence and Carle MowellPeg NewtonJoseh and Suzanne Niedbala, Jr.Maxine O’ConnorCoralie OdomsMargaret PageDarryl ParsleyPaul and Kathleen QuerfeldBruce and Stephanie RaymondMichael and Elizabeth ReillyDanielle RichJanet I. RobinsonNed and Norma RoginTodd and Elizabeth RosenthalDavid and Linda RothSean RourkeIra Rubenzahl and Abigail DolingerElizabeth K. RussellMark and Bethany Ryan

6: # OF STUDENTS WHO EARNED THEIR U.S. CITIZENSHIP THIS YEAR. CONGRATULATIONS TO NEW AMERICANS STEVEN, JUAN, JULIO, GRECIA, JOSE, AND CARMEN!

2012 and Beyond:

Leaders in Our Community

In 2012, LVGH celebrates 40 years of serving Greater

Hartford, and is now recognized as the premier community-based literacy

organization in the region. While we’ve come a long

way since 1972, adult literacy issues persist, and there is still much work left to be

done. Our student enrollment continues to grow, and our

programming must respond to our students’ shifting

needs and interests. As we look to the future, we will

focus on building our capacity so that we can reach more

adults in the Greater Hartford community, further integrat-ing job preparation and new

technology into our work, and poising LVGH to fully realize

its role as a leader of adult education in the region.

“Having my GED will open many doors. I

can even continue with my education.

Most of all, I am going to feel at peace and very

proud of myself.” – GED Student, 2012

2000s -

Hitting Our StrideThe first decade of the new century found LVGH in a strong, stable place – the per-fect time to reflect on the past and strategize for the future. After years of operating as many as 12 community sites at a time, LVGH streamlined operations to just three community sites in Hartford, Bloomfield, and East Hartford. This resulted in improved coordination and evaluation of services, a greater variety of programming, and a strength-ened sense of community.

2002:

“I enjoy studying with my classmates. We work hard to improve ourselves so keep up the good work. It is a tough journey, but I can see a sparkle of light beaming through the clouds.” – Thomas, Basic Literacy student

2005: LVGH partners with the Wickham Library in East Hartford to open a satellite Reading Center there, expand-ing our service region. LVGH grows to serve nearly 600 students per year.

Staff

Carol “CJ” Hauss, Executive Director

Shannon Houston, Assistant Director

Mark Briggs, Program Development Director

Miriam Lopez, Administrative Assistant

Paula Beninato, ESOL Program Manager

Rose Howard, Basic Literacy Program Manager

Penny Sigal, Community Engagement Specialist

Margie Arroyo, Program Assistant

Nicole Jenkins, Program Assistant

Sara LeMaster, Wickham Center Program Assistant

Rachel Waitzman, Program Assistant

D’Andra Whyte, Program Assistant

Madeleine Dailey, Student Intern

Elizabeth Greenberg, Student Intern

David Hauss, Student Intern

Kevin Martinez, Student Intern

Danielle Recchia, Student Intern

Maria Braga, CREC Intern

Samira Mohamud, CREC Intern

Board of Directors

Gene Evans, Chair

Robert Fiondella, Jr., Vice Chairman

Christopher Johnson, Treasurer

Joan McCarthy Gentile, Secretary

Elizabeth Aiken

Nanci Fox

Barri Marks

Giuliana Musilli

Peg Newton

Cengiz Searfoss

Andrea Sheldon

Jas Singh

Rita Trivedi

Hartford Literacy Center

30 Arbor StreetHartford, CT 06106

Phone: (860) 233-3853Fax: (860) 236-1640

Wickham Literacy Center

656 Burnside AvenueEast Hartford, CT 06108

Wintonbury Literacy Center

1015 Blue Hills Avenue

Bloomfield, CT 06002