CALC has two types of Volunteers: Support Service Volunteers and Volunteer Tutors. The SSVols help with the endless tasks required for a project the size of CALC. They provide clerical, technical, and janitorial assistance. Many of the Volunteer Tutors have expressed appreciation for not having to be alone in their tutoring efforts. They recognize the value of CALC as a "safe" site where they have access to resources and support.
While providing a service to area residents through their work at CALC, many of the Volunteers have learned how to use computers, thus increasing their clerical skills. For some, this has helped them obtain gainful employment.
Without our Volunteers, CALC would have closed its doors a long time ago!!
Claudine
In addition to her workload as the Hilo Public Library's head Adult Reference Librarian, Claudine began tutoring for CALC in January 1998. Right now, she is tutoring two individual ESL students, but when she first started, she was instructing a small group of ESL students. We hope to put together another small group for Claudine, but can't figure out how she can work with a group AND two other students AND have a paying job. We've suggested she retire early and just tutor all the time, but....
And...as if her work for the library and her volunteer work for CALC isn't enough, Claudine loves to help anyone interested in STAMPING. You know, stamping -- with little rubber stamps and ink pads. She began stamping -- first as a hobby, then as a demonstrator / distributor -- about a year or so ago. If anyone is interested in stamping, give her a call!
Chenta began tutoring at CALC in March of this year. Her chef suit often draws attention, but that's ok by her. She doesn't seem to mind being the center of attention since she's outgoing and sparkly. And no, the chef suit isn't just a prop to get attention. Chenta is attending the local culinary school to become -- what else -- a chef. In between classes and homework, as their schedules allow, Chenta works with her ESL student, Lan He.
As one of our Support Service Volunteers, Monte has become indespensable! He comes into CALC at least twice a week, spending up to six hours each visit. During those hours, he does volumes of niggly work that other volunteers do not wish to do; work that would pile up, if it weren't for Monte. He understands that the files of student support materials must be maintained, which of course means hours of mind-numbing work at the copy machine. He knows that the hundreds of pencil-cups need to be kept full and the pencils sharpened. He often takes the pencils home to sharpen -- that way the library patrons are not disturbed by the incessant whir of the pencil sharpener.
But his two most appreciated qualities and the reason we love him the most -- he brings in mochi from the Two Ladies Kitchen (yum yum) and has an outrageous sense of humor -- which of course helps when the work seems overwhelming -- food and funnies :)
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