Alma’s Story: Never Too Late to Learn

For the first five years I was in the U.S., I barely left the house. I didn’t speak English, and between caring for my son and adjusting to life here, my world became very small. But one day changed everything. My son came home from school crying because he’d been bullied. I wanted to stand up for him, but I couldn’t. I went to the school and…I couldn’t express myself the way that I wanted to. I felt so frustrated and helpless. That day, I decided I had to do something for my kids and for myself.

That’s when I found Literacy Connection. When I first started classes, I didn’t speak any English, and my tutor didn’t speak Spanish. It was hard, really hard. But my tutor was patient, and bit by bit, I started to understand, to speak, to feel like I could handle things on my own.

Learning English opened doors I never imagined. I became a U.S. citizen. I started volunteering at Literacy Connection, helping other learners like me. Eventually, I joined the staff, and today I am the Program Coordinator, guiding families and learners toward the same opportunities I was given.

This month, I finally earned my GED. I’m proud of myself, my son is proud of me, and I even accomplished my personal goal of earning it before he finishes high school! I feel like this is just the beginning. I start classes at Blue Ridge Community College this October, and I can’t wait to keep going.

Literacy Connection didn’t just teach me English. They helped me find my voice, gave me confidence, and showed me that it’s never too late to learn. My life, and my family’s life, has completely changed because of them.