Page 18 - Summer Newsletter 2020

washlit.org/donate INTHESPOTLIGHT
TEPCUSTOMER:TIFFANYTHOMAS
TifanyjoinedtheWashington Literacy Center through the DHS Temporary Asistance for Needy Families (TANF) Employmentand Education Program (TEP)in2019.Sheis a native Washingtonian,and
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: KATHYMOATES
K a th y M o a te s is a n E S L a n d w o rld languages teacherwho joined the Washington Literacy Center after re lo c a tin g to th e D C a re a fro m In d ia n a . Kathysharedthiswithus:
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program atM.M.Washington
Career High School. Tif fany was an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) at the
WashingtonHospitalCenterfor6years–fulfilingherpasion forworkingwithpatients6experiencingtraumaandinneedof e m e rg e n c y m e d ic a l a t te n tio n . A p e rs o n a l m e d ic a l c o n d itio n (RheumatoidArthritis-RA)sidelinedherfrom hercareerasan EMT,butaftermanaginghermedicalconditionthroughher faithandmaintainingahealthydietandexerciseroutine,she decidedtorefocushergoaltobecomeaCriticalCareNurseto
d communitythroughthemedicalfield.
WLC hasprovidedMs.Thomaswithanetworkofsupport, including: engaging with her case manager and the Educational& OccupationalTraining Navigator(EOT)who provided her w ith inform ation to apply to col lege nursing programs,and supported herfamily during the Christmas holidaybyprovidinggiftsforher4year-oldson.
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herscope ofpractice and have an impacton her
.RobinBar.Isomeofthestudents, Iimmediatelyfeltathomeandknew WLCwasthebestplaceformeoutof themanyESLoptionsinDC.Benwas goodatgetingmestartedandfinding therightclasesformetoobserve.Dr. Bar'sColorVowelapproach,whichI
Thom as has applied to the nursing program s at the UniversityoftheDistrictofColumbiaandGeorgeWashington University. Herultimate goalis to impactthe medical profesionbycontributingnew/trailblazingmethodsofcare, andbelievesitisparticularlyimportanttohavecaringmedical profesionals who are pasionate about people and communitiesnowmorethanever.
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stated,“Comingfrom theworldofworktotheworldof needingasistancecanmakeyoufeellikeanumber.Inthose times,itisgoodtohavesomeonetoreachout.”
BecomeavolunteerlikeKathy!Wehave manyvolunteeropportunitiesincluding tutoring, administrative duties, and fundraisingevents.Ifyouareinterested in working with an organization that helps to changes lives in your community, please contact Ben
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18 washlit.org SUMMER2020
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yESLexperiencehasbeenlargely asavolunteerinsmalgroupsandone on one with non-native English learners.Aftermoving to DC from Indiana,Ilearned ofthe W ashington LiteracyCenterand reached outto volunteercoordinatorBenGerardand
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: ben.gerard@washlit.org or (202)387-9029