Learning Together: Resident-Led ESL Tutoring Strengthens Community
At Westminster at Lake Ridge (WLR), community extends well beyond shared meals and life enrichment programs. It comes to life in classrooms, quiet study sessions, and one-on-one conversations between residents and employees. In 2025, that spirit inspired a new resident-led English as a Second Language (ESL) tutoring program for WLR employees. Supported by the Kreider Employee Professional Development Endowment Fund, the program pairs resident volunteers with staff members eager to strengthen their English skills.
The photo was more than a keepsake. It was the culmination of months of determination, encouragement, and hard work. When resident volunteer Nancy’s student proudly shared a photograph from her U.S. citizenship ceremony, it represented far more than passing a test. It marked a milestone in a journey toward belonging, opportunity, and achieving the American dream. For Nancy, it was also a powerful reminder that one person’s willingness to help can change another person’s life. That belief is at the heart of Westminster at Lake Ridge’s new resident-led ESL tutoring program.
The idea began simply. “My husband’s caregiver was applying for citizenship, and she needed help,” Nancy recalled. Peggy, a member of the Kreider Employee Professional Development Endowment Fund Committee, had also recognized a growing need among employees. “Through employee need, word came to me,” she said. “So we started this.”
What began as an idea quickly evolved into one-on-one tutoring sessions tailored to employees’ varying work schedules. “We found out a large class does not work because the employees’ schedules are all different,” Peggy explained. “So we do one-on-one tutoring.”
For WLR’s diverse workforce, English proficiency is about much more than vocabulary. It builds confidence in daily conversations with residents, families, physicians, and coworkers. It can also help employees pursue promotions, educational opportunities, and professional certifications. For those working toward U.S. citizenship, stronger English skills provide an important foundation for the naturalization interview, reading and writing requirements, and civics examination. The impact is evident in both big milestones and everyday moments. “When my student brought in the picture of her getting her citizenship,” Nancy said, “that was a moment of success.” For Zulma, success came in watching confidence replace hesitation. “My student did not know any English whatsoever,” she shared. “Then I could see him being able to answer in English, and he was not bashful anymore. To me, that was very important.”
The tutoring has also strengthened relationships between residents and employees in unexpected ways. “It builds a closeness,” Peggy said. “You get to know employees as friends after quite a number of tutoring sessions. There is quite a bit of closeness between employees and residents here, and I like to see that built.” Sandra, another resident volunteer, agrees. “It seems like you’re just helping out a family member. When we see them, that big smile comes across their face. They are very grateful for this.”
The volunteers say they receive as much as they give. “I’m impressed by the motivation of our employees,” Peggy reflected. “Their desire to learn has pushed me to help fulfill their needs. It’s been challenging, but the reward is much greater than the challenges.” The resident tutors hope the program will continue to grow, helping more employees build confidence while strengthening the bonds that make Westminster at Lake Ridge such a special community. As Sandra reflected, “I think it says WLR cares about their employees—not just about their job, but their life here. Speaking the language can open doors to more opportunities. It empowers people and makes the world smaller.”