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Ray Joye
Reading Connections

What he does: In March of 2008, when Ray Joye retired from his career as a pharmacist, he wanted to find some way to help someone.

 He found Reading Connections Adult Literacy Program, which provides free and confidential services that help to improve basic literacy skills, self-esteem, community service and leadership skills among new adult readers who live or work in Guilford County.

Volunteering with RC would enable him to help people fulfill a personal mission.

“As a pharmacist I would run into many adults who couldn’t read,” Joye said. “Some of these men and women were non-native speakers of English, but many were older Americans who had survived for much of their lives without formally learning to read.”

Joye knew that this could pose a dangerous problem, especially when it came to prescriptions. Many days, he’d take the time to read through instructions with patients just to be sure they understood.

 “One of my colleagues said that I was a frustrated school teacher,” Joye said, chuckling.

 After completing the basic tutor training with Reading Connections, he began working one on one with an English as a Second Language student from Korea who wants to improve his interpretation of the English language. Joye also teaches classes at Reading Connections, a basic reading DVD-based course for low-level native English speakers. When Joye found out that many of the students were unable to attend the original class, he offered to teach it again, so that everyone could have a chance to learn.

 In addition to leading two classes and working with individual students, Joye attends social functions and training seminars and has more than 150 volunteer hours so far this year. The staff of Reading Connections said that Joye is kind, patient and flexible and desires to serve those in need.

Reading Connections has a waiting list of more than 100 adult students who need assistance with literacy or ESOL. The organization also needs desktop and laptop computers. For information on volunteering, call 230-2223 or visit www.readingconnections.org.

 What Joye tells others: “This experience has taught me to reach out to other people, and that the world is just not about you. It’s a lot of fun volunteering here, but it can be challenging at times. All in all, I think it’s made me a stronger person. It’s a satisfying feeling to give back to the community.”
 

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

Mary’s House needs volunteers to care for children while parents attend Alcoholic Anonymous classes. Supervise children, read stories, play music, organize arts and crafts activities. Escort children to the restroom, change diapers, feed infants. Must respect and appreciate children of diverse backgrounds and be able to work with special-needs children. Training provided. Must have high school diploma or GED. Minimum age 18

LEARN MORE

Volunteer Center of Greensboro, 1500 Yanceyville St., Greensboro, NC 27405, 373-1633, www.volunteergso.org.