Octorara townlively.com
JANUARY 1, 2025
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL XXXIV • NO 44
Events to Make a difference as an English tutor commemorate in the new year Lafayette’s visit to America
BY FRANCINE FULTON
BY FRANCINE FULTON
speakers, adding that the sessions are interactive so that attendees can communicate with the instructors. After training and a background check, each new volunteer is matched with a student. Tutors and students may meet in person or virtually. Many choose to meet at local libraries or coffee shops. A fee will be charged to participate in the upcoming virtual training workshop. In addition, attendees will be asked to pick up a hard-copy tutor training manual at the VEP office, located at 790 E. Market St., Suite 215, West Chester, prior to the session. Information about pickup
Although he was born in France, the Marquis de Lafayette was an important figure during the American Revolution and was later invited by President James Monroe for an all-expenses-paid return to the United States between 1824 and 1825. Lafayette’s trip included stops in both Lancaster County and western Chester County. To commemorate the 200th anniversary visit, a series of special activities have been planned throughout 2025. “For the past three years, we have been planning events that follow in the exact footsteps of Lafayette when he visited 200 years ago during his Farewell Tour of America,” explained Kathleen Hood, coordinator of the Lafayette200 Bicentennial in Western Chester County and Lancaster County. “He was going to stay three months but stayed 13 months traveling to 24 states, which is what America had at the time. He traveled over 6,000 miles during that journey.” “We have researched what he did, where he went and with whom he met, and we are re-creating his journey as historically accurate as possible,” she added.
See Volunteer tutors pg 5
See Lafayette pg 4
Tutor Jane Palestini (left) and her student Hong Nguyen, who hails from Vietnam
than 20,000 limited English to attend a virtual information proficient speakers in Chester session on Thursday, Jan. 9, at County. 6 p.m. Individuals may email There are currently 90 VEP volunteer.english@volunteer pro g ram par t icenglish.org for the ipants who have Zoom link. been assessed and The next tutor “We can change approved, who are training workshop lives one person currently waiting w ill b e held v i a for a tutor. “We have at a time, starting Zoom on Tuesday, another 199 proJa n . 2 1 ; T h u r s within our own spective students day, Jan. 23; and communities.” who have reached Monday, Jan. 27, out to us for help from 9 to 11 a.m. and are waiting each morning. for an interview assessment,” According to Potrako, the tutor Potrako said. training workshop is designed to Those interested in learning fully prepare volunteers to teach more about tutoring are invited English to adult, non-native
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erri Potrako, executive director of the Volunteer English Program (VEP) in Chester County, has a message for Chester County residents interested in volunteer opportunities. “If you are looking for more ways to help in the new year, please consider becoming an English language tutor,” she said. VEP, which has ser ved the county for more than 38 years, is a nonprofit organization that provides free one-to-one tutoring for adults looking to improve their English language skills. Tutors can help students with tasks such as taking part in a job inter view, speaking with a doctor or helping their child with his or her homework. Tutors also help students understand American culture. Tutors and students are asked to make a yearlong commitment to the program. A teaching background or knowledge of another language is not necessary to become a tutor. “This year, (we had) 226 active and available tutors (who) guided 256 adult immigrant students, with many dedicated volunteers teaching multiple students each week,” Potrako reported, adding that according to the 2020 United States Census, there are more