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HIPPIECHICK68

A believer in Peace & Social Justice
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Member Since: 10/2008  Last Seen: 2/07/2010

{"contentId":"2281937","authorDomain":"hippiechick"}

Beacon Hill woman devoted to helping immigrant neighbors master English

News Type: Other — Seeded on Tue Jan 6, 2009 10:29 PM EST
Read ArticleArticle Source: The Seattle Times
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Seeded by hippiechick68
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About three years ago, it occurred to Dolores Veliz that so many immigrants had moved into her Beacon Hill neighborhood that she literally couldn't talk to her neighbors anymore.

"Many of them don't speak any English. And I don't speak Chinese," she said.

So with her friendly, chatty manner and nurturing style, she set about to try to bridge the language gap by offering free English lessons out of her home.

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{"commentId":4694654,"authorDomain":"hippiechick"}
hippiechick68

"I want to make a connection, to make friends," she says, sitting at her kitchen table, flanked by students.

"I want to get to know their culture, how they worship. I want them to be able to say more to me than ni hao" — Mandarin for hello, pronounced nee-haw.

In three years, Veliz, a retiree, figures she's given lessons to about 500 students, most of them Vietnamese and Chinese, and a few Latinos. They've ranged in age from 5 to 75.

See what can happen?  One person can change a life, a neighborhood...the world. 

Happy Good News Wednesday. 

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  • 5 votes
Reply#1 - Tue Jan 6, 2009 10:33 PM EST
{"commentId":4701811,"authorDomain":"jameseg"}
jameseg

I agree.  And, good teachers, volunteer or otherwise, are among the most important individuals on Earth!

{"commentId":4701811,"threadId":"462901","contentId":"2281937","authorDomain":"jameseg"}
  • 2 votes
#1.1 - Wed Jan 7, 2009 1:03 PM EST
{"commentId":4708049,"authorDomain":"hippiechick"}
hippiechick68

And, good teachers, volunteer or otherwise, are among the most important individuals on Earth!

I wholeheartedly agree!

{"commentId":4708049,"threadId":"462901","contentId":"2281937","authorDomain":"hippiechick"}
  • 3 votes
#1.2 - Wed Jan 7, 2009 7:33 PM EST
Reply
{"commentId":4694949,"authorDomain":"bigmomma"}
rottlady

Good for her! This is a good story! Thanks

{"commentId":4694949,"threadId":"462901","contentId":"2281937","authorDomain":"bigmomma"}
  • 3 votes
Reply#2 - Tue Jan 6, 2009 11:03 PM EST
{"commentId":4695049,"authorDomain":"MrsBrady"}
Mrs Brady

Dolores Veliz is a wonderful lady and This is a great story :)

{"commentId":4695049,"threadId":"462901","contentId":"2281937","authorDomain":"MrsBrady"}
  • 1 vote
Reply#3 - Tue Jan 6, 2009 11:14 PM EST
{"commentId":4696287,"authorDomain":"kahaire"}
Rella

A very inspiring story - thanks!

{"commentId":4696287,"threadId":"462901","contentId":"2281937","authorDomain":"kahaire"}
  • 3 votes
Reply#4 - Wed Jan 7, 2009 2:58 AM EST
{"commentId":4696679,"authorDomain":"azsky13"}
azsky13

What a cool idea! And what a great service to her community!

{"commentId":4696679,"threadId":"462901","contentId":"2281937","authorDomain":"azsky13"}
  • 2 votes
Reply#5 - Wed Jan 7, 2009 5:26 AM EST
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