Press Release of July 8, 2020

“Nowadays good news is like a treasure!” exclaimed Anna Dziuba when she learned she had won $200 for her essay on helping homeless children in Ukraine.

The announcement came via an online Zoom call with her English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher at the Delaware County Literacy Council (DCLC), Robert Lee. Like so many students, Anna has been adapting to online learning after her DCLC intermediate ESL class moved from in-person to virtual classes this spring.

Anna was one of several DCLC students who participated in the “People Helping People” contest, sponsored by Sun East Federal Credit Union. The contest asks students to write about volunteering and its impact on their life. Sun East Federal Credit Union provides a generous $200 prize to the writer of the winning essay.

Anna wrote about her involvement in a program in Ukraine called “To Help is so Easy.” As Anna explains in her essay, “Brave and enthusiastic people were looking for kids on streets; [they] spent weeks to build a trust and convince kids to make a first step to a new life.” Anna has remained involved in the program, even after leaving Ukraine and immigrating to the U.S. She is quick to highlight the importance of volunteering, saying it is an “important piece of my life and helped change my life values.” As she states in her essay, “Each effort counts. Share your kindness, anyone deserves a second chance for a better life.”

The Delaware County Literacy Council (DCLC) helps adults develop reading, writing, math, and English language skills to thrive in the workplace and community. To learn more or to get involved, visit www.delcoliteracy.org.