{"id":14092,"date":"2025-06-27T09:45:17","date_gmt":"2025-06-27T13:45:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goodwin.edu\/enews\/?p=14092"},"modified":"2025-06-27T09:45:17","modified_gmt":"2025-06-27T13:45:17","slug":"literacy-legacy-community-greater-hartford","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodwin.edu\/enews\/literacy-legacy-community-greater-hartford\/","title":{"rendered":"Where Stories Take Root \u2014 Literacy, Legacy, and Community in Greater Hartford"},"content":{"rendered":"

Established in 1635, Hartford, Connecticut \u2014 one of America\u2019s oldest cities<\/a> \u2014 has always been a city shaped by stories. From the literary legacies of Harriet Beecher Stowe and Mark Twain<\/a> to the voices influencing its future today, Hartford\u2019s narrative continues to grow with its community.<\/p>\n

One chapter of this story centers on the spot where local inventor William Gray introduced the nation\u2019s first pay phone<\/a> \u2014 an innovation that changed how people connected. Though the pay phone is now a relic of the past, its historic location remains relevant: it stands just steps away from Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford<\/a> (LVGH), an organization dedicated to empowering communication in its most lifechanging form \u2014 literacy.<\/p>\n

Today, the spirit of connection lives on through the partnership between Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford and Goodwin University. Bound by a shared mission, these two institutions collaborate to amplify voices, expand access to opportunity, and empower the community through education, career readiness, and lifelong learning.<\/p>\n

Breaking barriers through literacy<\/h2>\n
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Aerial image of Hartford, Connecticut.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Contrary to common perceptions, literacy challenges are more prevalent in Connecticut than many locals realize. Stephen Morris, executive director of LVGH, notes that while the state includes some of the wealthiest regions in the country, literacy remains a pressing issue for many residents. In the Greater Hartford area alone, approximately 19% of adults read at or below a second-grade level \u2014 amounting to over 200,000 residents. These staggering numbers underscore the ongoing need for Literacy Volunteers’ vital services, as well as the power of literacy to transform lives, families, and communities.<\/p>\n

Since its founding in 1972, LVGH has been committed to addressing adult literacy needs across the region. By strengthening communication skills and building confidence, Literacy Volunteers empowers diverse learners to pursue higher-paying jobs, overcome language barriers, and support their children’s literacy at home.<\/p>\n

Today, LVGH offers a range of accessible classes<\/a> to the community \u2014 including basic literacy, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), digital literacy, career pathways, and more. Most recently, the organization introduced an on-site daycare room \u2014 an essential resource that allows parents to pursue their education without the added worry of childcare. With every new initiative, LVGH reaffirms its mission to meet learners where they are by removing barriers, opening doors, and championing lifelong growth.<\/p>\n

Personalized learning with a practical impact<\/h3>\n

Always putting individual student needs first, Literacy Volunteers maintains small class sizes while tailoring instruction to each student\u2019s goals, with a focus on developing reading, writing, and speaking skills that lead to real, tangible improvements in daily life.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis model creates a unique atmosphere,\u201d notes Rebecca Hawkins, director of programs at LVGH. \u201cThere isn\u2019t the same pressure as a traditional classroom. Students can move at their own pace to meet their own milestones.\u201d<\/p>\n

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English language learners practicing their conversational skills at Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This flexibility is especially critical for English language learners.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have students who come to us from other countries with advanced degrees and professional experience,\u201d explains Hawkins. \u201cBut language can be a significant barrier \u2014 and many of their credentials aren\u2019t recognized here in the United States. As a result, they\u2019re often starting their lives and careers over from scratch.\u201d<\/p>\n

For these learners, LVGH offers far more than English instruction. It becomes a safe harbor \u2014 a place of belonging, empowerment, and possibility. Cristina, an English language student, shared how deeply the program has impacted her life:<\/p>\n

\u201cAt 50, I arrived in the U.S. from Brazil, where I had been working as a lawyer. But I haven\u2019t been able to practice here,\u201d she said. \u201cLearning English is important in our global world. I\u2019m so glad to be at LVGH because I feel comfortable here and love the relationships I\u2019ve built.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cristina\u2019s story is only one of many, highlighting how LVGH helps learners reclaim their confidence, rebuild their careers, and find community in a new country.<\/p>\n

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Turning the page \u2014 together<\/h2>\n
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An LVGH student practices close reading a text.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Goodwin University and LVGH forged a strong alliance rooted in a shared vision: providing accessible education for adult learners in the Greater Hartford area. As Stephen Morris observes, \u201cLVGH and Goodwin serve similar communities and have overlapping missions. It\u2019s been a very natural partnership and benefits both nonprofits.\u201d<\/p>\n

Goodwin faculty lend their expertise to the governance of Literacy Volunteers. Dr. Lisa Wi\u015bniewski, Faculty Senate president and professor of Sociology<\/a>, has served on the LVGH Volunteer Board for over a year.<\/p>\n

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Dr. Lisa Wi\u015bniewski at the Hoffman Library launch party for her book \u201cNavigating Education as a Forgotten Immigrant: Perspectives from the Eastern European Community\u201d.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cI am proud to serve on their board,\u201d Wi\u015bniewski shares. \u201cLVGH is a place of hope, shaped by the warmth, dedication, and kindness of the individuals who make up the organization.\u201d She continues, \u201cTheir holistic approach \u2014 changing lives through literacy \u2014 makes an impact every day on the people they work with, the Hartford community, and the state of Connecticut.\u201d<\/p>\n

Beyond serving on LVGH\u2019s board, Goodwin faculty are bringing their instruction directly into the community. Dr. Robert LeGary, Jr., program director of Master of Education, associate professor of Education, and teaching fellow<\/a>, dedicates his time to teaching at the center \u2014 an effort that benefits not only students but also fellow volunteers.<\/p>\n

\u201cRob has been a wonderful asset to Literacy Volunteers,\u201d says executive director Stephen Morris. \u201cHe\u2019s great with our students and brings a skillset that helps our volunteers grow as literacy educators, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Dr. Robert LeGary attending Goodwin University\u2019s 25th Anniversary Kick-Off party.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dr. LeGary echoes that appreciation.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom my very first meeting with Stephen Morris, I was captivated by his passion, competency, and care for literacy work in the Greater Hartford area,\u201d he says. \u201cVolunteering as an ESOL tutor at LVGH has been transformational, beautiful, and inspiring for me. The students, professional staff, and fellow tutors have enriched my own teaching practice in ways I never expected.\u201d<\/p>\n

The partnership between Goodwin and LVGH reflects what\u2019s possible when institutions align their values \u2014 creating lasting impact through education, empathy, and service.<\/p>\n

Student-to-student support<\/h3>\n
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Dental Hygiene students working hands-on with patients \u2014 applying their knowledge and gaining career-ready experience at Goodwin\u2019s free, on-campus clinic.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This spirit of collaboration extends beyond literacy instruction. Through the partnership, Goodwin University\u2019s Dental Hygiene<\/a> students gain valuable, hands-on experience by teaching oral health literacy to LVGH learners \u2014 a win-win opportunity that benefits both groups.<\/p>\n

For Dental Hygiene students, it\u2019s a chance to build practical skills while engaging with the broader community in meaningful ways. For LVGH students, it\u2019s an opportunity to learn about oral health and discover a valuable resource: accessible dental cleanings at no cost. \u201cOur students learn they can receive free cleanings in East Hartford at Goodwin\u2019s Dental Hygiene Clinic<\/a> and we\u2019ve had a few people take advantage of that,\u201d Morris highlights.<\/p>\n

By connecting education with essential services, the collaboration between the University and Literacy Volunteers continues to knock down barriers and uplift learners at both organizations.<\/p>\n

A perennial partnership<\/h2>\n

Reflecting on our ongoing partnership, Stephen Morris looks ahead with optimism. \u201cWe\u2019re exploring new ways to connect with the University and collaborate in meaningful ways that support our communities,\u201d he shares.<\/p>\n

Dr. LeGary reiterates this sense of purpose, emphasizing that the transformative power of LVGH extends beyond its students to the volunteers themselves. While literacy is at the heart of the mission, he believes the organization’s true impact lies in its ability to help adults \u201cdevelop career-readiness skills, access community resources, and engage with their local communities to achieve their dreams.\u201d He adds, \u201cLVGH exemplifies compassion, care, and dedication in helping adults realize their potential.\u201d<\/p>\n

At its core, this enduring alliance is built on shared values: lifelong learning, accessible education, and a commitment to community. With these principles as their guide, Goodwin University and Literacy Volunteers are poised to continue making a lasting difference in Greater Hartford \u2014 together.<\/p>\n