Eastern Arkansas Literacy Project

Erica Phillips

My name is Erica N. Phillips. I began tutoring sessions at the Cross County Literacy office in September 2006 because I wanted to improve my reading and writing skills. After two months of attending the tutoring sessions, I completed the Challenger I workbook and received a certificate of completion for my dedication and hard work. Because my reading and writing skills have improved greatly, I felt confident that I could be trained to work at one of the local businesses. It was hard for me to travel around the area because I don’t have adequate transportation. It was even harder for me to obtain a job because I don’t have a high school diploma or GED. The only mode of transportation that I have is a bicycle. I rode my bike about 2 ½ miles each day to look for a job and to attend tutoring sessions at the Literacy office. After about a month of riding back and forth to look for a job, I began to work as a Deli/Bakery worker at Hays Food Town, a local grocery store. I felt better about communicating with others and doing my job because of the personal, social and work-related skills obtained from the Cross County Literacy Council.

Sandra Pena, Carolina Mercado, and Mary Mercado

I started working with 3 Spanish ladies several months ago.  When I started I was as nervous as they were.  Two of them knew a few words; one knew less.  They have been very steady with coming to class.  They tell me I have really helped them with their English in their daily lives.  It makes me feel very proud to work with them.

The Friday before Easter, they brought their daughters to class, and I brought my daughter.  We decorated Easter Eggs, something they had never done. On Easter Sunday, they invited my family to their home to eat and during the time, we hid the Easter eggs and the children found them. This is the first time they had ever done that and we all had a great time. 

During our children’ spring break, we took our kids to the zoo in Memphis.  They had never been to a zoo in the States.  We talked a lot about how to say names of different animals in English.  We all enjoyed that day, very much.

These ladies are very dedicated students.  They want to learn and that makes me proud. 

Jamar Rose, Americorp Volunteer