When Jen Rafter moved to Harrisonburg from Kansas, she sought connection and community in her new home. Having spent years volunteering with citizenship classes back in Kansas, she knew she wanted to continue helping others. After meeting Jorge from Skyline Literacy at a local event, she found the perfect opportunity to make a meaningful impact as a volunteer ESL teacher.

Jen's role at Skyline Literacy has been more than just teaching language. For her, it’s about empowering students to navigate their lives with confidence and connection. She recalls working with women juggling demanding jobs and family responsibilities who still made time to attend Monday evening classes. “Their resilience is truly humbling,” Jen shares. One of her favorite moments was helping her students overcome initial fears of using laptops. With patience and practice, those same students went from hesitation to excitement, confidently tackling each new task and asking, “What’s next?”

Beyond language lessons, Jen treasures the cultural exchanges that have enriched her time at Skyline Literacy. From sharing meals representing various global traditions to exchanging personal stories, Jen discovered the unifying power of shared experiences. She emphasizes how the support and camaraderie among volunteers and students make the experience deeply rewarding. “I’ve learned so much from my students. The connections we make are worth every moment.”

Jen encourages others to join Skyline Literacy’s mission, assuring prospective volunteers that qualifications or barriers shouldn’t hold them back. "You’ll have great support here, and the impact you make will inspire you every day,” she says. For Jen, being part of Skyline Literacy means being part of a community that’s building stronger futures—together.