RHBA member Luis E. Ormaechea is a member of the Board of Directors of Literacy Volunteers of Rochester (LVR), a not-for-profit organization of trained volunteers dedicated to providing one-to-one or small group English tutoring to functionally illiterate adults and to others lacking English language skills, and to fostering literacy in the greater Rochester, NY area.
LVR is governed by a volunteer Board and has six working committees. As part of his responsibilities as a Board member, Luis participates on the Board’s Program Committee and on its Governance and Nominating Committee. He has also volunteered time to help with LVR events, such as the “Brain Game,” an annual fundraiser and trivia competition where teams of attorneys, accountants, financial planners, representatives from local colleges and universities and others compete for the championship.
As an associate with the law firm Underberg & Kessler LLP and a former science teacher, Luis considers his work with LVR to be an opportunity to give back to the community and a way of maintaining a connection to the field of education.
LVR’s services, which are provided free of charge, include two main programs, “Adult Basic Education”
and “English for Speakers of Other Languages.” Recently, LVR has added math literacy to its curriculum. The organization generally accepts students who read below a ninth-grade reading level. Among speakers of other languages, emphasis is placed on the newcomer whose need for English is urgent and whose level is low.
English language learners often come to LVR with a high level of education in their native country and limited English language skills. Some are immigrants and refugees. Others are living in Monroe County as visitors, often while a spouse is on a temporary assignment or attending or teaching at a university. They need help with spoken English, reading and writing, and often with navigating our culture. A goal might be to become a citizen.
If you are interested in learning more about the services that LVR has to offer, or if you are interested in volunteering with LVR, please visit LVR’s website at http://literacyrochester.org/volunteer.php or call (585) 473-3030.
Luis E. Ormaechea is an associate with the law firm Underberg & Kessler LLP
RHBA supports the work its members are doing in the community.
If you are a member, please send us a description of your community work to hola@RochesterHBA.org
Please note RHBA cannot provide further information about this charity or program. If you are interested in participating, please contact the corresponding organization or the RHBA member for more details.
