Barbara Sabot, a Syosset resident for 46 years, and Ellen Widlitz, a Jericho resident for just under 47 years, were both recently honored for their ten years of volunteer service to Literacy Volunteers of America - Nassau County, Inc. (LVA-NC). Executive Director Anne DuPrey praised the women for making an outstanding contribution to Nassau County at a recent ceremony held in their honor.

Speaking at the organization's Annual Recognition Night ceremony, DuPrey said, "Extraordinary commitment like this helps our neighbors turn their lives around - to obtain high school diplomas, drivers' licenses, better jobs - perhaps to read to their children for the first time. There truly is no way to thank volunteers like Barbara and Ellen for all they have done and continue to do."

Sabot got involved in volunteering after she was recommended through a friend and has been doing it ever since. "Seeing somebody be able to feel good about themselves because they can do something that they could not do before is a great feeling. I plan to continue volunteering for that reason," said Sabot.

DuPrey explained that volunteers are asked to make an initial commitment of one year with a suggested minimum of two hours a week. Volunteers go through intensive Tutor Training Workshops to prepare them to work with students and participate in a variety of ongoing in-service training programs.

"I used to be a schoolteacher and when I got near retirement, I made a folder of all the nice things that there might be to do if I did not teach which included walking at Jones Beach, playing bridge and visiting museums in the city," said Widlitz. "One of those things was literacy volunteers and once I tried it out, I realized that I really enjoyed it." Widlitz is trained in both basic literacy and English for speakers of other languages.

"For many of our students, Literacy Volunteers is a last resort," said DuPrey. "They are motivated and eager to improve their lives. A high percentage of our students already have high school diplomas, but survived the educational system without acquiring the literacy skills they need."

Many of the students are immigrants, looking for new opportunities, with a variety of backgrounds. An LVA-NC tutor recently helped a doctor build the language skills needed to practice in the United States. Lifelong friendships can result from the tutor-student teams and more tutors are needed.

"We have all kinds of people that come for help," said Widlitz. "The challenge is enormous. It has been a source of a great deal of pleasure to me not only with the students but running the training workshops as well. Who would go to do something like this? Basically someone who cares about the next person and I enjoy working with those people."

The Fall Tutor Training Workshops begin Sept. 14 and Nassau County residents are encouraged to register now.

"All that a tutor really needs is a desire to help others - no prior teaching experience is necessary," said DuPrey. "We provide intensive, but fun and friendly, tutor training workshops to equip volunteers with the background they need. And we offer ongoing 'in-service' training programs. Tutors can work with students in Basic Literacy, or English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)."

The Basic Literacy program is for native English speakers who read below sixth grade level. In the ESOL program, some students have high literacy skills in their native language, and hold advanced degrees, but they have recently immigrated to America and do not speak English. Some ESOL students lack basic literacy skills in their native language as well.

"Once volunteers complete the workshop, we carefully match them with a student, looking for compatible schedules, locations and personalities. We create tutor/student teams," DuPrey explained. "Right now, we have a waiting list of more than 300 students, so if anyone has an interest in getting involved, now would be a great time."

Basic Literacy Workshops are scheduled in Roosevelt (at the Memorial Presbyterian Church) starting Sept. 14 and Manhasset (at the Mt. Olive Baptist Church) starting Oct. 14.

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Workshops in Oceanside (at the Oceanside Public Library) starting Sept. 25 and in New Hyde Park (at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church) starting Sept. 26.

The workshops require a total commitment of 24 hours, spread over several sessions. Workshop registration is now open. For more information call 486-2789. Upon completion of the workshops, tutors will be matched with students for one-to-one or small group meetings to work a minimum of two hours per week. The tutoring service is confidential and provided to students free of charge. New volunteers and students are always welcome at LVA-NC, which is one of the largest affiliates in New York and the country.