Value of Volunteering

After reading "The Value of Volunteering," it made me realize how important it is to give back to the community. By doing something as simple as helping someone read gives you a very rewarding feeling and makes you an overall better person.

Robin Ferguson, the author of "The Value of Volunteering," knows exactly what it feels like to lend her time to a great cause. When Robin first started working as a literacy volunteer she was doing it solely for the community service credit, but when Robin met a woman named Marie, she discovered more out about learning and friendship than she ever expected to.

To begin her volunteering, Robin first had to attend a staff training program on how to teach people how to read. There she learned that instead of just using words by themselves to teach, it was much more effective to use words in context and in phrases.

Robin's first student was a 44 year old woman named Marie who had difficulty reading everything. Marie couldn't complete everyday tasks that most people take for granted, such as; not being able to take the bus, not being able to buy certain products at the store or even writing a grocery list. Over time, Marie gradually begins to read words, phrases and eventually entire books. When Marie notices how well she is doing, her confidence noticeably increases. By gaining more self-esteem, Marie is able to read to her son and begins taking the bus instead of walking everywhere.

As time goes on, Marie and Robin developed a very close friendship. They both realize they have more in common than they had thought, both are single parents and frequently babysat each other's children.

As a literacy volunteer Robin learned a great deal about education, teaching and helping others. She also established a lifelong friendship with Marie.