Written by Lauren D., Adult Services
San Mateo County Libraries connects adults with volunteer tutors who offer encouragement and support as they build new skills. For Carlos and his tutor Rick, weekly tutoring sessions became the foundation of a lasting friendship.
We’re looking for volunteers to help adults build reading and writing skills. To learn more, attend one of our upcoming volunteer information sessions and read on to discover Carlos and Rick’s inspiring story.
Lasting Connections
When Carlos committed to earning his high school diploma through online courses at the local adult school, he knew the first step was to find support.
“If I'm not quite sure how to do something or work on any area, and if there's any source or somebody that can teach me and make me understand the topic, I just go for it,” he said.
For Carlos, that somebody was Rick, a volunteer tutor from San Mateo County Libraries. Both heard about the tutoring program through their wives, who were already participants. Carlos’ wife Angelica was a learner and Rick’s wife Doris was her tutor.
Two years later, both couples are still working together, and for Carlos and Rick, the experience shows how the libraries’ adult learning programs can not only help people reach their goals, but also form lasting friendships.
Learning Side by Side
Carlos had already completed high school in Mexico as a teen, but taking a few additional courses to earn his diploma in the U.S. offered a chance to build on his experience as a maintenance worker and make new career opportunities possible.
“I wanted to have different options than what I was doing,” Carlos said.
First, he had to tackle subjects like algebra and Shakespeare—all while improving his English fluency. His tutor Rick was ready to help, even when he needed to brush up on a few skills himself to prepare for their weekly sessions.
“I had to study the book a little bit, but it was fun,” Rick said. “I think when you teach somebody something, you expand yourself and you also expand them as well and you have sort of a mutual expansion going on that is very gratifying.”
With Rick’s support, Carlos kept moving forward, one course at a time.
While Carlos pursued his high school diploma, his wife Angelica was also working toward her associate degree. After many late nights of studying and weekly tutoring sessions at the library, their teenage twins began to take notice.
For Carlos, the impact on his children has been one of his proudest achievements.
“They were watching us,” Carlos recalled. “They have good grades, and part of it is because they [had] been seeing us working hard.”
By leading through example, Carlos and Angelica have fostered a culture of learning in their home that grows stronger with every achievement.
Last spring, after nearly two years of dedication, Carlos stepped foot into his graduation ceremony and met his classmates in person for the first time. His tutor, Rick, was there to cheer him on. The ceremony honored graduates from both the adult school and a partnering alternative school for youth. At first, Carlos felt out of place.
“I was like, ‘I’m the oldest guy here.’ I feel a little bit embarrassed because of that,” Carlos said.
Finally, he spotted his peers in the crowd.
“There were two people the same age as me. It was great to get the diploma up on stage,” he said.
Carlos and Rick both describe the day as one of their favorite memories together.
Shortly after Carlos’ graduation, Angelica and her tutor Doris celebrated another milestone. Angelica earned her associate degree and has begun a path toward a bachelor’s.
Lasting Friendship and New Opportunities
Post graduation, Carlos and Rick have shifted the focus of their weekly sessions to reading books on personal finance. Rick, a retired mortgage broker, shares the lessons he’s learned over the years, and Carlos soaks them up.
“I’m like a sponge,” Carlos said. “I can’t be more thankful because I’m learning a lot.”
Their reading and discussions are already paying off, as Carlos and Angelica recently opened retirement accounts for themselves and investment accounts for their family.
What began as a simple tutoring connection has grown into a lasting friendship between two families, bound by more than academic and financial goals. Good conversation, mutual support and a love of learning have been the glue that keeps them together.
Carlos empathizes with those that might be reluctant to start working with a volunteer tutor and encourages them to take the leap.
“For some reason, you kind of like, close yourself, and you don't want anyone else to know that you're limited with your English or any skill you have,” Carlos said.
“Nobody's perfect. Worst-case scenario, you can only win. You learn so much. You have the opportunity to meet new people, to teach you something that you aren't aware of. Just go for it.”
When the next wave of learners takes that first brave step, they’ll need volunteers like Rick, ready to stand beside them proving again that learning is stronger when it’s done together.
To learn how you can get involved, join an upcoming volunteer information session.
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