Angela Fuglieri-Luigi, who was raised in Bethpage and now makes her home in Farmingdale, was recently honored for five years of service with Literacy Volunteers of America (LVA).

Fuglieri-Luigi trained for the program while a college student at the State University of New York at Brockport, and after becoming LVA-certified, helped with a GED program for Spanish-speaking students. After graduating, she moved to France, and then to Farmingdale, where she became involved with the Nassau County chapter of LVA. Through her work with the local chapter, she has helped a student from Albania learn to read, write, and speak English better.

"By working with students to help them achieve a lifelong dream - the ability to read, write or speak English - Angela has selflessly given her time, and her contribution benefits not only her students and their families, but also Nassau County overall," Anne DuPrey, executive director of LVA-NC, said in announcing the recognition.

Although Nassau is among the wealthiest counties in the world, it has a surprisingly high illiteracy rate of 16 percent. The national average is about 22 percent, while in Farmingdale, the illiteracy rate is 14 percent.

"There are a significant number of students in the Farmingdale area," said DuPrey. "The whole Farmingdale area ranks among the highest in terms of need."

There are currently over 400 students on the waiting list for literacy volunteers in Nassau County, the longest waiting list in 30 years. Two-thirds of those on the list are English as a Second Language students, while the rest are those who speak English but lack basic reading and writing skills because they have fallen through the cracks of the school system.

And, illiteracy is expected to increase. "It's on the rise, and as we begin to be affected, for example, by the situation in Kosovo, that will continue to escalate," said DuPrey.

The organization is currently seeking more volunteers to meet this growing need, and has tutor training sessions planned for the fall. Luigi, who has focused her efforts on helping immigrants learn English, recommends becoming a volunteer because she feels it makes a difference - one person at a time.

"I think it's a rewarding experience. I hear people complaining all the time about people who live here who don't understand English, or who don't speak English, and I think that rather than complaining they should take the time and help those who don't," she said.

She added that personal experiences, such as living in France and not knowing French, and being the daughter of an immigrant in America, have propelled her to reach out. "I understand what it feels like to be in a place where you don't know the language. And, I know, even from my family's experience: my mom was a teenager when she came here, English was her third language. So, I realize that it's difficult for a lot of people," she said.

"They need somebody to help them, not just with the language, but just with daily things, just with things like taking the bus, taking the train, going grocery shopping, going to the bank - cultural differences as well as language."

For more information about becoming an LVA volunteer or student, one may call the organization at 486-2789.