"I was worried about becoming lost in my new city, that I could not be understood. Now I can speak well, talk with other people and understand. When I become a citizen, I shall continue working to learn more about my new country. I also plan to help, as a volunteer, others who come from foreign countries."

"The thing that means the most to me is that now I can read a bedtime story to my baby daughter. I want her to be proud of me."

Nellie Cole and Xiaowen Zeng share friendship as well as learning through Literacy Volunteers of Greater Syracuse, NY.

"Six months ago I came to America for the first time. At first, I was isolated at home, tortured by the sense of exclusion from the world. As if God was bestowing on me His generous grace, my tutor Nellie appeared in my life. She teaches me not only English, but also to love life and be confident in myself. Thus, day after day, Nellie has made me a key, with which I can open the door to a new life."

• Literacy is the key
• This is Literacy Volunteers of America
• LVA Accreditation: the key to quality literacy services