Better Tomorrows.com - Quotes From Students and Volunteers

  GED student Vera says she has been in other GED programs, but she has learned more here in three months than in all of the other programs combined.

  Literacy student Johnny states, "I used to be embarrassed when someone asked me to read in Sunday school. Now I read aloud with no problem."

  Jacques studies for her GED at 5:30 a.m. before her nine children wake up. Once fearful of essay-writing, she now looks forward to her classes and the tutor who inspires her. "She helped me believe I could write," says Jacques, who has since inspired her son and an adopted daughter to begin GED classes at BTAEC.

  Tony had started to believe those who said he was a dunce because he did not know how to read. Since working with Better Tomorrows, he now reads scriptures, business letters, and even junk mail! Tears of joy stream down his face as Tony excitedly tells everyone he meets about his newfound talent.

  At 78 years old, James is determined to get his GED. Having begun his GED at an organization similar to BTAEC, James is thrilled to be in a program that offers one-on-one instruction in addition to the computer instruction he received previously. With assistance, he is beginning to understand the grammar rules that once eluded him.

  Angela, jobless with two children, could not even turn on a computer. Following our classes, she is now proficient in typing, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, internet research and e-mail. She can install a network card, put a computer back together, troubleshoot printing problems, and change Windows settings: meeting the job qualifications of an office administrator position.

  Cherie never learned to read, but wanted to learn so she could do right by Jasmine, her 1st-grade daughter. Cherie has progressed four reading levels with us in one year, enabling her to help Jasmine with homework and read her bedtime stories. Cherie says her dreams are coming true.

  Anthony graduated from high school without ever learning to read. A developmentally-challenged adult, Anthony knew only letters and sounds when he came to us. Since working with BTAEC, Anthony has surprised his father by reading short stories with only a small amount of assistance.

  Danielle, BTAEC Volunteer and Finders Keepers' creator, says "There are people out there who have terrific qualities, but aren't able to translate those into a resume that will get the job. Others may be able to get the job, but may need to learn some new communications skills to help them keep the job. At Better Tomorrows, we hope to mentor people throughout the process."

  Diane first came to Better Tomorrows on a fact-finding mission from Bank of America. Shortly thereafter, Diane became their volunteer coordinator for the Better Tomorrows' site. Having thought about volunteering in a literacy program for some time, Diane says, "When I heard about Better Tomorrows and met Mary and Tammy, I knew instantly this was where I wanted to plug in!" What is her favorite part of volunteering? As a one-on-one literacy tutor, Diane enjoys "getting to know that individual and seeing them develop new skills right before your eyes." She says, "It's absolutely exhilarating. I'm so pumped when I leave here on Tuesday nights, I can't stop smiling."

  Mike, Director of a youth group in Tulsa, Oklahoma, said of his group's experience at Better Tomorrows: "[It..] is not about what we did for the [Big Red School] house, but what it did for us. Our hearts were captured by surprise. As the day unfolded, our youth became transformed. They stopped working for themselves." In any mission work, there is a tendency to think about all you are doing for people. You think about the difference you're making, and you may begin to feel like the mission needs you. "Look at what I'm doing." I've seen it before with these kids, but it stopped that day. The blessing that flowed through the house flowed through us. Everything they did was done out of love. They didn't want to take breaks. They just wanted to help. They knew the intentions of this house, and to take a break would mean that it would take that much longer to complete the house. The longer it took, the less people it could help. The less people it could help, the less people to help make a difference in this world, and the world needs those people. In my eyes, they became the hands and feet of God. In their eyes, they felt that they were not doing enough. That evening a lot of them cried, because they felt the love that surrounded that house, and they prayed for the people that would grace its door some day. Some of them cried, because they did not feel they were deserving of that love. You see, we thought we were on a mission, but we found out that we were the mission.

  Husband and wife, Horace and Sandy said: "We both love teaching and want to use whatever talent we have to help others, and we have been very excited to have this opportunity at Better Tomorrows."

  Angela, a literacy tutor, shared, "It was so exciting to hear John read from his new book. I got all teary, because I was just so touched by how much he has learned already. Of course, the story was about 9/11, so that didn't help in holding back the tears. I am just so proud of him."

  Kristen, a BTAEC summer volunteer says, "Volunteering at Better Tomorrows was an inspiring way to spend my summer. The administrators are not just there for the students academically, but they also know their personal stories and struggles. It truly is an all around supportive environment."