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Text, OTAN - Outreach and Technical Assistance Network

Text, Adult Education Students. California Adult Education Students Succeed 2016

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Jeffery George. Sonoma County Library Adult Literacy, C A E S S 2016 Honoree

Jeffery sits in front of a bookshelf lined with books

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JEFFREY GEORGE: I have seven brothers and four sisters. I come from a big family. And I basically-- l take care of my family because my mother left us when we were seven, and she came to the United States. And my poor father, he used to work a lot. So I was to quit school and help raise my younger brothers and sisters.

HANNAH KALLOK:

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Text, Hannah Kallok, Wife

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He was raised in Trinidad and Tobago and had to stop going to school at a young age to take care of his younger siblings. So he never really got much of an education.

JEFFREY GEORGE: It was real hard because I couldn't read. I honestly don't know my alphabet. So it was more of I'm always asking somebody, hey, what's this address for so-and-so? Can you read this for me?

Or some of my friends are like, OK, let me help you. I'm like, man, I need to make a change in my life. I need to do something different. I need to change.

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Jeffery exits a building with a sign on the window that says, Adult Literacy Program

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So I'm walking by and I saw this building. And I walked in one day. And I talked to the people in there.

And it was like, OK, well, we're going to hook you up with a tutor. And I signed up. And there is where I met Miss Laura Owens. And ever since then, my life has changed for the best.

MELISSA TRUNICK:

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Text, Melissa Trunick, Adult Literacy Tutor Coordinator, Sonoma County Library

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Jeffrey has been one of our wonderful students. We've always enjoyed having him come in. He just lights up the whole office. And I was able to match Jeffrey with his tutor Laura a while back. And they've just proved to be a very successful pair.

LAURA B. OWENS:

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Text, Laura B. Owens, Adult Literacy Volunteer Tutor, Sonoma County Library

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His reason for coming was that he has young children, and at that time, another one on the way, and wanted to be able to read stories to them.

JEFFREY GEORGE:

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Jeffery sits with Hannah and a baby at a table in the library, turning the pages of a picture book

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I was scared. I was nervous. And I didn't know how to approach the lady, Laura, as my tutor of OK, well, I really need your help. And I'm starting from scratch. And

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Jeffery and Laura sit at a table with a stack of flashcards

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by her putting the time and energy out there and the patience to deal with me, it was real nice.

It was comforting. When I take my time and she's working with me, and then I realized I read a little bit more and more from children's book. And I started doing a little newspapers and it start like that.

And then after that, I realized that, oh wow, I'm doing this. It's amazing. I can't believe I'm actually reading.

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Hannah

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HANNAH KALLOK: We try to do every week, give him a few hours so he could go to the park and write in the journal. And Laura, his tutor would send him home with different activities to do.

JEFFREY GEORGE: It was real hard for me to have time to actually start my tutoring and to start learning how to read. But I managed to make one day because my wife was like, honey, we need a change in life. And you've got goals to set.

And I'm proud of you, and I support you. And you need to get your driver's license because I'm tired of driving around, OK? I've been driving for God knows how long.

And I need a break. But once I had my driving license, then I applied and I started my business.

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Jeffery places a chainsaw in the back of a pickup truck filled with lawn maintenance tools

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And I was able to spend more time with my family, make a little bit more money, and support my family by working and putting a good service out there towards the community so in that way, we could all prosper.

HANNAH KALLOK: I definitely see more of an independence about him, more confidence. He likes to read books to the kids, which is so special.

JEFFREY GEORGE: By me reading, it's been able to me to going out there in society in this world. And that way I can make a change and also prove to my kids you can do anything you want once you put your mind to it.

LAURA B. OWENS:

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Laura

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Of all the students I've had, he was a standout. They've all been terrific. But he really has gained leaps and bounds.

ALISA ADAMS:

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Text, Alisa Adams, Adult Literacy Services Coordinator, Sonoma County Library

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What I hear from students, including people like Mr. George, is that the very hardest thing among maybe many challenges, is to walk in and ask for help.

JEFFREY GEORGE: You know, they have a saying that an old dog can't teach new tricks. Well, that's wrong. Forget all that.

What you got to do man, you just bite the bullet, suck in your pride. Just go there have a lot of faith in yourself, take a deep breath and breathe, and take one step at a time towards your goal of your achievements. And know that you're doing it for yourself, you're doing it for your family, and for your community that you live in because you know what?

This is what you need. And some time you got to step back and be like, this is what I need in life. I need this.

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Jeffery stands with Hannah and two children in the library. He hugs Laura.

Text, Special Thanks to: Sonoma County Library Adult Literacy Program. Producer: Blair Roy. Director: Douglas Rennie. Produced by OTAN - WWW dot OTAN dot U S, 2016