Beribeth’s Story: Finding My Voice

For me, Literacy Connection is very important, and I want to share my experience and how much they have helped me. I would like to share a little of my story and how I found this organization.

My name is Beribeth, and I am from Mexico. I arrived in the United States in January 2023 with many hopes, like all the people who come to this country. I thought it would be easy to adapt and find a job because I had a degree from my country. But the reality was very different because I didn’t know how important it was to speak English. In my country, the English they teach in school is nothing like what people actually speak.

When I arrived, I didn’t know any English. I couldn’t understand a single word, much less have a conversation with native speakers, and that caused me a lot of frustration and fear. I went to different factories looking for work, and everywhere I was asked if I spoke English. When I said no, I was told I couldn’t work there, even though I had the skills to do the job. Not speaking English closed all the doors. I constantly asked myself, What am I going to do? My dreams and goals felt impossible.

One day, someone gave me Literacy Connection’s phone number on a piece of paper. A few days later, I was at home crying, when I remembered the paper. I was afraid to call because I didn’t know if they would speak Spanish, but I decided to try. Alma answered, listened to me, and explained how I could enroll in English classes.

That’s how I met my tutor, Sandy. At first, I didn’t understand many words and didn’t know how to respond, but little by little, with her patience and dedication, I began learning. Thanks to my classes, I now have more job opportunities, can communicate in English, and understand much more.

Now my husband and I run a small construction company together, and I handle the administrative work. I make calls, write messages, and speak with builders in English. Recently, I even gave a speech at the Literacy Connection awards ceremony! I know I still have a lot to learn, but I also know that with my classes, I will continue to grow.

For me it has been a complete change, before being at Literacy Connection and after being here; for me, it has been a support that changed my life. Now I have a different perspective of what to do at work, now I have other opportunities, but above all now I feel that I am part of a community because I no longer have the language barrier. Now I can communicate thanks to my tutor Sandy and people like her.