IT’S NEVER TOO LATE
Written by Linda McVey, ESL Volunteer.
My name is Linda McVey, and I am an 81 year old volunteer at Mission Adelante for Hispanic adults studying English as a Second Language. I have volunteered for two terms after a long career teaching public high school English and then community college ESL for adults. After retiring, I missed my ESL students and found this program. So why was I so interested, even after retiring twice, in these students who are so motivated to learn English?
My interest began when I looked back at my childhood and early teen years. My father joined the FBI the year I was born. At that time, J. Edgar Hoover moved his young agents every two years for experience in different field locations. As a result, I went to five different schools in five different states. Each time we moved, I cried to lose the few friends I’d made and was scared to start over. I was shy and making new friends wasn’t easy. I was once again the “new kid” in school. But then when we moved to Kansas City to stay, I finally felt at home and acclimated to my new school and culture. I graduated later from Kansas State University in Secondary Education/English and began teaching in public schools. I developed a lifelong affinity, due to my experiences, especially for students who were new or left out or working hard despite full time jobs. That feeling drew me naturally after retirement to students from a different country who had assimilated to the United States and its environment and culture. I identified with them and wanted to provide them with encouragement, acceptance and praise for their efforts.
Finally, anyone who has a desire to help these students can volunteer at Mission Adelante. Knowing Spanish is not necessary. It is very rewarding work which you’ll never regret. You’ll work with appreciative students and know you’re making a difference in their lives.
MISSION ADELANTE OBSERVATION NIGHTS
MARCH 6TH TO MARCH 9TH
Are you interested in taking the next step to volunteer? Take a glimpse of what is going on at Mission Adelante and what we are doing in our different programs.
This is a great opportunity to have the full experience of a Mission Adelante volunteer.
For more information visit: www.missionadelante.org/observe
Be part of our programs!
We are so excited to start this year and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us this trimester?
How can you help?
Pray for our program participants would create an impact in our community and grow with their walk with the Lord.
Volunteer – Come to one of our obseveration nights the first week of March. For more information visit: https://www.missionadelante.org/observe
Donate to join us in building a multicultural community of disciples making disciples.