Yolanda Garcia from Senator Harry Reid's office speaks to the crowd Saturday at the ESL 11th Award Appreciation Ceremony at the Governor's Mansion.
The ESL In-Home Program of Northern Nevada on Saturday honored 171 volunteer tutors and their many students learning English as a second language.
The 11th annual awards appreciation ceremony, held at the Governor’s Mansion Nevada Room annex starting at noon, included a buffet pot-luck luncheon, entertainment, a keynote speech by an ESL student who’s an engineer at Carson City’s Click Bond, Inc., and the awarding of certificates to tutors, followed by certificates for students presented by the tutors.
”These are all of them adults; most of them, adults,” said Florence G. Phillips, the organization’s founder and executive director, who talked with pride not only about the free language instruction but help given towards those who seek a GED (general high school equivalency diploma), or for those seeking to become United States citizens.
She said the program she began in 2004, when she was the sole instructor with a half dozen students, has since helped 187 students become citizens. She also encouraged people to donate or help tutor because aspects of the program cost and there’s a prospective pupil waiting list of about 800.
The keynoter on the program was Olga Ortiz, the Click Bond engineer. Entertainment was provided by Metzonali Folklore Dancers and Corey the Clown. Special certificates also were given out and there were photographs of various recipient groups on the afternoon agenda.
The ESL in-home program founded by Phillips now serves Carson City, Washoe, Douglas, Lyon and Churchill counties, and is based in Carson City. It’s a 501(c)3 nonprofit educational organization, according to Phillips.
“Our program is (at) no-cost-to-student and our tutors are volunteers who wish to make a difference in their community and help solve the language barrier,” said Phillips in a recent letter seeking donations from community retailers and friends of the program.