About Us

Success Stories:

In its 21 years, Project Literacy has helped over 5,700 students to find help with reading, writing and speaking English. Here are some students’ stories:

SUZANNE’S STORY (In her own words)
“When I came to America from Senegal I wasn’t able to speak English. Now I can read and write but I have a little trouble spelling the word….

You can’t image how it feels. When you know how to write and read most of the time. I feel so happy. My dream is to be a teacher someday. Thank you so much miss Dorothy (volunteer tutor) for help me with English. God bless you.”

LESTER’S STORY

Lester W. was born in Panama where he attended school until 11th grade when he was needed to got to work to help the family of nine siblings. Prior to that, Lester had rheumatic fever, causing him to lose a year of education. When he returned to school it was difficult to catch up. He came to this country at the age of 40 and obtained work as a school custodian and later an airport security guard. He and his wife raised three children, providing all three with college educations. At age 63, Lester decided to earn his high school equivalency diploma and began classes. However, he found it a difficult process and failed repeatedly. Project Literacy provided math tutoring assistance, and Lester passed. He applied for a better job and was accepted. His determination to learn new things has never ceased. Lester enjoys quoted this Chinese adage: “The longest journey begins with a single step.”

TYRONE’S STORY

Tyrone T. was determined to obtain his high school equivalency diploma. He began attending classes at Bergen Community College Ciarco Learning Center and soon was meeting a volunteer tutor through Project Literacy who helped him prepare for the exam. This undertaking was especially challenging for Tyrone, as he was wheelchair-bound due to infantile cerebral palsy. Tyrone has a strong and cheerful spirit and his determination won out and he passed his high school equivalency test. Tyrone is now fulfilling his dream of working as a mentor encouraging handicapped young people and adults to continue their education.

SHAWN’S STORY

Shawn is a 42-year-old mother of four who dropped out of high school in the 12th grade because she was pregnant. She made six attempts to pass her high school equivalency exam but because of anxiety about math and test-taking, her score was low. At Project Literacy she worked with a dedicated volunteer, Rick Feinberg. Rick worked relentlessly with Shawn. They sometimes met twice a week for two hours at a time. Shawn took her exam for the seventh time and because of the work she did with Rick, she was able to pass. She was ecstatic, and now hopes to go on to become a nurse.

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... help an adult learn to read

… promote literacy in Bergen County

… for yourself, a family member or friend

Project Literacy of Bergen County provides hope and opportunity for adults who cannot read, write or speak English. It oversees a free tutoring program for the people of Bergen County and the surrounding area. It administers a scholarship program to the disadvantaged in the community who wish to attend literacy classes at the Bergen Community College

355 Main Street Hackensack, New Jersey
07601 (201 ) 489-7066 | Fax: (201) 968-9732
read@project-literacy.org