Student Stories
Monica Bunay
"None of this would have happened without Literacy Partners. What I found was the courage to be myself."
Monica Bunay was a nurse in Ecuador — confident, capable, and proud of who she was. But that changed overnight when she moved to the U.S. and couldn’t navigate her new world. Monica couldn’t speak English so she struggled to buy food at the grocery store, to talk to her children’s teachers, and to read a letter from the doctor’s office. When she tried to speak, people often laughed, and she began to doubt herself.
In 2019, Monica saw a flyer for Literacy Partners at her local library in Corona, Queens. She signed up for English classes, and over the two years she dedicated herself to learning a new language, something shifted. She grew stronger, more confident, less afraid.
In 2021, Literacy Partners asked Monica to become a Parent Facilitator — teaching other parents the same skills that had changed her life. Since then, she’s supported more than 300 parents in her community and runs a WhatsApp group of 84 families, sharing resources on everything from English classes to health programs. Her neighbors have a nickname for her: the Mayor of Queens.
Today, Monica is working toward a career in healthcare again. She recently completed her medical assistant certification, with her GED and college next. Her children watch her study, advocate, and never give up. Her 18-year-old daughter is in college and her younger children are thriving in school.
Patrick Brown
"I can proudly say I am a reader. I thank my wife for pushing me, Miss Alice for supporting my reading, and Literacy Partners for providing the classes and opportunity to learn."
Patrick Brown grew up in Jamaica, surrounded by family, community, and a love for cooking he learned from his mother. But he carried a secret: he couldn’t read. At school, one day his teacher told his class, “One day, you’re going to realize you’ll need what I have.” Her words stayed with him for decades.
For years, Patrick found work without reading, and leaned on his dedicated work ethic and passion for cooking to see him through jobs. But when he moved to the United States, the gap became harder to hide. At age 35, his wife left him a note that he couldn’t read. When he had to tell his wife he couldn’t understand what she wrote, it was clear that he needed to make a change.
He tried out a few literacy programs but they all felt too big, too advanced, and too overwhelming. Then his wife found Literacy Partners and told him to give it a try. Patrick was hesitant, but he decided to try one class, and was relieved to find he immediately felt at home in its small, supportive setting.
What followed changed his life. Patrick no longer needs his wife to accompany him to doctor’s appointments to read paperwork. With the support of his tutor, Miss Alice, he studied for and passed his citizenship test, becoming an American citizen in 2025.
Patrick is now studying for a permit to pursue his next dream: opening a food truck, bringing the flavors he once cooked on the streets of Jamaica to the streets of New York.
Queenie
"You have to push yourself to learn. It is hard, but one day you will be able to speak English."
Queenie came to New York from Fujian Province in China, bringing with her a deep commitment to her family and a belief in creating the best possible future for her children. Raising three kids in Queens, she wanted to support them confidently at school and participate more fully in the community they call home.
In 2022, she learned about Literacy Partners through her daughter’s school and began our English for Parents class at the Corona Library. She started as a beginner, worked her way to our intermediate level, and now takes our Reading for Adults intensive class. Every week, she builds new vocabulary, practices pronunciation, and asks thoughtful questions about grammar. Little by little, she has gained confidence speaking on the phone, writing in English, and engaging with her children’s schools.
Today, Queenie is proud of how far she has come and excited for what’s ahead. She hopes to continue strengthening her English, deepen her relationships with her children, and help others in her community find the resources they need to thrive. She also dreams of buying a home with her family and supporting her husband’s goal of opening his own restaurant – a future she is moving toward with determination and hope.
