Hello I am an ESL Instructor helping my fellow immigrants learn English. I want them to be comfortable and be able to speak and communicate to native English speakers. 9 years ago I was an adult learner, then after I got my citizenship, I became a volunteer for 2 years at the school that I attended. When I became a new US citizen, I became a volunteer as part of my civic duty to the community by volunteering to a different organization. In 2016 I became an ESL teacher and was paid by $9/20 hours a week without benefits from the same school I served. I accepted it because I love my students, sacrifice my own benefits because I saw their enthusiasm to learn and motivated. I love to teach and being around my fellow immigrants we built a very good connections not only from being their teacher but as a friends too. I want to pursue to help them but sometimes it's hard, we I don't have funds to buy supplies or snacks and I want to help them as best as I can. Sometimes I cook food for them so that they have something to eat while I am teaching because I know how hard it is working at the farm, factories and taking their children. I offer what ever I have at home. If I have spare food I bring it to the class. I am so happy to read your program that you can help individuals or programs that make a difference to each individual. It amazes me how generous Dollar General Literacy is giving away money to those deserve and I told to myself how I wish me too so that I can continue to help my students individual needs. It a big impact to me when I heard the speaker during the COABE New Orleans conference. Hope I have a helping hands to make a difference. The photo is of ESL students celebrating Memorial Day.