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  • ABOUT
    • Our Mission
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    • Latest News
    • Impact
  • PROGRAMS
    • Student Yearbook ’20-’21
    • Customer Service Skills Program
    • Literacy Foundations
    • High School Equivalency Diploma (HSE)
    • English Language Learners (ELL)
      • Want to Learn English?
      • ¿Quieres aprender inglés?
      • အင်္ဂလိပ်စာလေ့လာချင်ပါသလား
      • Veux-tu apprendre l’anglais?
      • هل تريد تعلم اللغة الإنجليزية؟
      • Queres aprender inglês?
    • Certifications
      • Customer Service Certification
      • Paraprofessional Training and Certification
  • BOOKSTORE
    • Hours & Location
    • Shop Online
    • Donate Books
    • Shop Audiobooks
    • Shop Merch
    • Consignment
  • GET INVOLVED
    • Join Our Team
    • AmeriCorps
    • Volunteer
    • Ways to Give
  • EVENTS
    • Submit an Event
    • Event Calendar
  • CONTACT
    • Prospective Student Form
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October 4, 2018

Volunteer Spotlight: Gage Bentley

Gage Bentley – Fimg

October 1-5 is National Tutoring Week, where education organizations across the country recognize those who help teach learners of all ages. Indy Reads classrooms are built around the support of volunteer tutors, and one of the ways we’ll be celebrating our volunteers this week with a series of volunteer spotlights.

To learn more about volunteering at Indy Reads, email MaryAnna Ferris or visit indyreads.org/volunteer!


Gage is a new Indy Reads tutor in our ELL class at the Morales Group. He’s a writer who is focused on building strong communities and fostering opportunities for people to share their stories. Here’s how he approaches his service as a volunteer tutor:

 

Tell me why you chose to volunteer with Indy Reads.

I picked Indy Reads and I picked ELL specifically because English, as a writer, and a journalist, and a lover of books and stories, English has been the language that’s connected me to all of that. The first prong of my interest in ELL is the writing stories, books, that sort of thing.

And the second prong is that my guess is the folks who came to these classes were in various ways saying, “I want to be part of your community. I want to be your neighbor. I want to be part of your family. I’m willing to come and put all this effort in, please meet me halfway and share with me the gifts you’ve been given.” Community means a lot to me because so much that’s gone well in my life has come as a positive consequence of community, so I value it very strongly.

 

How long have you volunteered with us?

Only three months, if that.

 

Could you tell me three things that you enjoy about working with our students?

Their enthusiasm, their resilience, and just the kind of intrinsic joy of learning.

 

What are some things that students have taught you in the classroom?

The value I think we all know, but maybe lose connection to, of just getting out of your house and away from in front of a screen. Get off the internet, get out of your chair, go meet another human being. Go look them in the eye, pick their brain, and listen to what they have to say and be listened to.

 

When you talk about Indy Reads with others, what do you say?

Mostly I talk about the students. They recharge my batteries. I’m an extrovert big time, so being around new people, meeting new people, listening to them, hearing their stories. Also, I talk about my very sincere appreciation for providing this service because, especially now in our current moment, I can’t imagine how isolating and frightening it might be to have unfriendly sentiments coming at you with such frequency across the airwaves.

 

What do you do outside of Indy Reads?

I very recently was selected as a Public Ally for Public Allies Indianapolis. That means I’m an AmeriCorps member. I serve with a nonprofit called the Domestic Violence Network. And I also am involved in a capacity building project in the Far Eastside neighborhoods of Indianapolis.

 

Can you tell me something interesting about yourself?

I’m writing a book! It’s about several generations of a family and it covers a little more than 100 years. I’m almost done with the first draft.

2018 Indy Reads Indy Reads Volunteers Indy Reads Writes Tutor Week 2018
Previous StoryVolunteer Spotlight: Ruth Jennings
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Latest Posts

  • Indy Reads Announces Corporate Sponsors for 2022
  • Egg Hunt: Save the Date for April 16th!
  • Indy Reads Receives $125,000 Grant from the Margot L. Eccles Arts & Culture Fund, a CICF Fund
  • Indy Reads Receives $4,000 Grant from the Nora Roberts Foundation
  • Indy Reads Receives $10,000 Grant from the Nicholas H. Noyes, Jr. Memorial Foundation

About

Our mission is to build the literacy, English language, and job readiness skills to empower adults and families to reach their full potential.
 

Upcoming Events

April

May 2022

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Events for April

25th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-HSE Class (Morning)

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Lauren’s Daniel Webster English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Evening)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

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26th

10:30 am - 1:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Morning)

11:30 am - 2:30 pm

Cindy’s Brookside English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

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27th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-HSE Class (Morning)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Indy Shakes: What’s in a Canon?

Indy Reads
Events for April

28th

10:30 am - 1:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Stories/Cuentos with the Butler Bulldogs

Indy Reads
Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Morning)

11:30 am - 2:30 pm

Cindy’s Brookside English Language Learner Class

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Chess Club with Colin Hargreaves

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Evening)

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Lauren’s Daniel Webster English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Evening)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

Events for April

29th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Events for April

30th

11:30 am - 1:30 pm

Drag Story Hour with Prince Brentlee

Indy Reads
4:30 pm - 6:15 pm

Celebrate Arab American Heritage Month with Susan Muaddi Darraj!

Events for May

1st

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Stories/Cuentos with the Butler Bulldogs

Indy Reads
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Events for May

2nd

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-HSE Class (Morning)

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Lauren’s Daniel Webster English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Evening)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

Events for May

3rd

10:30 am - 1:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Morning)

11:30 am - 2:30 pm

Cindy’s Brookside English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Evening)

Events for May

4th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-HSE Class (Morning)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

Events for May

5th

10:30 am - 1:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Morning)

11:30 am - 2:30 pm

Cindy’s Brookside English Language Learner Class

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Chess Club with Colin Hargreaves

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Evening)

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Lauren’s Daniel Webster English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Evening)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

Events for May

6th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Events for May

7th

No Events
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8th

No Events
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10
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Events for May

9th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-HSE Class (Morning)

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Lauren’s Daniel Webster English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Evening)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

Events for May

10th

10:30 am - 1:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Morning)

11:30 am - 2:30 pm

Cindy’s Brookside English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Evening)

Events for May

11th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-HSE Class (Morning)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

Events for May

12th

10:30 am - 1:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Morning)

11:30 am - 2:30 pm

Cindy’s Brookside English Language Learner Class

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Chess Club with Colin Hargreaves

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Evening)

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Lauren’s Daniel Webster English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Evening)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

Events for May

13th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Letter Writing League

Indy Reads
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14th

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Sarah Griffith Lund: Blessed Youth

Indy Reads
Events for May

15th

No Events
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
Events for May

16th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-HSE Class (Morning)

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Lauren’s Daniel Webster English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Evening)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

Events for May

17th

10:30 am - 1:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Morning)

11:30 am - 2:30 pm

Cindy’s Brookside English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Evening)

Events for May

18th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-HSE Class (Morning)

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Spring Financial Literacy Series with Centier Bank

Indy Reads
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

Events for May

19th

10:30 am - 1:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Morning)

11:30 am - 2:30 pm

Cindy’s Brookside English Language Learner Class

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Chess Club with Colin Hargreaves

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Evening)

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Lauren’s Daniel Webster English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Evening)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

Events for May

20th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Events for May

21st

1:00 pm

Indy Riot Reads Book Club – Detransition, Baby

Indy Reads
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

John Young: Fire in the Field

Indy Reads
Events for May

22nd

1:00 pm

Local Author Ross Carley Book Signing

Indy Reads
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
Events for May

23rd

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-HSE Class (Morning)

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Lauren’s Daniel Webster English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Evening)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

Events for May

24th

10:30 am - 1:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Morning)

11:30 am - 2:30 pm

Cindy’s Brookside English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Evening)

Events for May

25th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual Pre-HSE Class (Morning)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

Events for May

26th

10:00 am

Yoga in the Bookstore

Indy Reads
10:30 am - 1:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Sarika Agarwal
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Sarika’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Morning)

11:30 am - 2:30 pm

Cindy’s Brookside English Language Learner Class

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Chess Club with Colin Hargreaves

Indy Reads
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Paul’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Evening)

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Lauren’s Daniel Webster English Language Learner Class

5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

David’s Virtual High School Equivalency Class (Evening)

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cindy’s Virtual Pathway to Literacy Class (with the Immigrant Welcome Center)

Events for May

27th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Cindy’s Virtual English Language Learner Class (Morning)

Events for May

28th

11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Drag Story Hour with Prince Brentlee

Indy Reads
Events for May

29th

No Events
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
Events for May

30th

No Events
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31st

No Events
Events for June

1st

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Spring Financial Literacy Series with Centier Bank

Indy Reads
Events for June

2nd

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Chess Club with Colin Hargreaves

Indy Reads
Events for June

5th

2:00 am

World Environment Day with the Sierra Club

Indy Reads

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