Fitzroy Learning Network Annual Report | Page 8

Volunteer Program

“ I love working with my student once a week. She is part of an incredible family and we get along like a house on fire. Today she was due to give birth to her third child – very exciting! I am confident that I am contributing to her general wellbeing.”
The volunteer program continues to grow, with many wonderful and inspiring people joining the Fitzroy Learning Network. We have nearly 300 volunteers on our books, who each contribute their unwavering energy each week to supporting the Fitzroy Learning Network and the broader community in some capacity. The generosity and respect demonstrated by the local volunteer community is indeed inspiring to reflect upon.
Most of our volunteers are working one-on-one with a student for an hour or two once a week, not including lesson preparation time. This tutoring relationship enables many people in the community to access English as a Second Language( ESL) education and / or assistance with their VCE, TAFE or University studies in a way that they might not otherwise be able to. For many tutors, the role extends to supporting their student in the resettlement process, which may include anything from assisting visa applications for family overseas, to citizenship test preparation, to sharing stories over a cup of tea with a newly-found friend.
We also have many volunteers entering into the ESL classroom each term to mentor the students in their learning. These classes are always a hive of activity, with the tea-break especially a great opportunity to socialise with the students outside of class, as well as some of the other volunteers. For the past two terms, we have had a brilliant group of ESL mentors teach an asylum seeker class three days a week, allowing the Fitzroy Learning Network to open its doors to a particularly marginalised group.
“ My student and her mum have started making me dinner nearly every Monday night which is totally amazing. I’ m so glad to have met my student, and our sessions are often the best part of my week. I will definitely keep volunteering.”
Looking forward into 2014, the aim of the volunteer program is to assist our students and clients in a compassionate, effective and committed way, and to ensure the volunteers also feel supported in their roles. There is much to be gained from the lessons of others, and volunteering is undoubtedly a two-way learning experience. More of a focus, therefore, will be placed on getting people together socially to share the challenges, positive or otherwise, of volunteering in the community. Not to mention the possibilities of meeting a great group of like-minded folk!
My name is Georgina Morgan and I am a volunteer in the ESL classes. This is my second year in ESL 2 and the joy it gives me each week brings me back year after year. I love the diversity of the cultures in the classes as they are all very special in their own ways. Some are more adept at reading and some better understand pronunciation, but between us all we help each other achieve a little goal each day.
When you acknowledge their achievements it brings huge smiles to their faces. They are all so appreciative of the time and effort I give them. My morning hugs, handshakes and questions about my family when I arrive makes me realise how much I’ m appreciated, and how much trust they have in me. Its such a rewarding job as they all give 100 percent in their learning in class time. The English language is very difficult to learn, so I take my hat off to each and every one of them. There are many special moments; from the students singing to me in their native tongue, to sharing family photos at morning tea. I love watching students from different walks of life help each other out in class, and there is nothing nicer than being told,“ My day is happy now that I have seen you”.
I am very grateful for this opportunity that the Fitzroy Learning Centre has given me.
6 Fitzroy Learning Network Annual Report 2012 / 13