Tina Sanacore, executive director of Literacy Nassau in Hempstead, recruits and trains volunteers who tutor adults. Through personalized instruction, Literacy Nassau teaches the power of literacy and opens doors to opportunity and success for adults seeking help with reading, writing or speaking English.

In 2003, Tina first volunteered with the organization while employed at an educational publication. She joined the board of directors and served on their search committee for a new executive director when she was asked to step in as interim director. She was named executive director in July 2006, and has grown the organization steadily since taking the helm.

Working with an annual budget of $400,000 that is supported by funding through New York State and augmented by fund-raisers, Tina oversees more than 400 functionally illiterate adults, with a waiting list she estimates to be about 300.

"We recruit, train and provide support for volunteers [tutors]. They are trained and matched with students," Tina explains. The median student age is 43, with students seeking reading help skewing older, and English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students as younger. Tina adds, "There is no typical student. Many read and write below the sixth grade level but have a high school diploma because of social promotion."
Literacy Nassau is unlike other literacy programs, Tina explains. "We are learner centered, not curriculum based. Our tutors meet with their students and help define short- term achievable goals. It's hard, but if you achieve success you are more likely to keep going." Literacy Nassau has students from all over the world that read and speak in 50 different languages, with most being Hispanic or Asian. Tina says, "Most of our students seeking help with reading say, 'My kids are grown and I can finally do something for myself.' I hear that more than anything."
Literacy Nassau works with more than 200 active tutors, most of whom are retirees. Tutors meet with students usually once a week for approximately two hours at a library or community center. Literacy Nassau is also currently recruiting college interns to assist with new computer technology. "We want to engage kids in the community so they realize that they are playing a distinctive role not only in their lives but in the people's around them," Tina says. "They have such energy and enthusiasm."

Tina's challenge for the future is to aggressively build the volunteer pool by reaching out to corporate, community and faith-based institutions. Her goal is to be teaching at least 1,000 students annually by 2010. She is also expanding the organization with more exciting projects for volunteers, such as "conversation programs." "These pilot programs include "Thematic Mother's Circles," designed to improve students' speaking skills while improving their parenting skills. They are also collaborating with Friends of the Arts (FOTA) in Oyster Bay on a "literacy through the arts program," which will debut this week.

Speaking fondly of Recognition Night, their annual May event at Nassau Community College that honors and acknowledges the hard work of all involved with the organization, Tina observes, "It's a heartwarming event with students, tutors, community and sponsors in attendance." She adds, "All of a sudden they [the students] blossom. What's better than that?"

For more information on Literacy Nassau call 516-486-2789.

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