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Health & Fitness

Clark Woman Discovers New Focus in Retirement

“Retirement is not always what you think it will be,” said Marie Soyka of Clark, who worked as a legal secretary for Pathmark Corporation and then for a judge in the Union County Family Court.  The 69 year-old grandmother of six had imagined lots of travel, visiting friends, and fun projects around the house.  But after retiring at the end of 2010 she instead found herself in a slump, feeling unmotivated and unproductive.

“The first few weeks of retirement felt like vacation,” said Soyka, “but after that I knew I had to do something… there’s more to life than cooking, cleaning and babysitting.”

That’s when Soyka heard about Literacy Volunteers of Union County and the opportunity to improve lives through literacy. 

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“I didn’t want the structure of a job, but by volunteering for Literacy Volunteers, I feel like I’m helping someone… I feel productive…  Tutoring keeps me on my toes!”

And for the veteran community volunteer who had served on the Clark Board of Education, Town Council and Planning Board, making a difference is definitely important.

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Raised in Roselle, Soyka learned some hard life lessons and critical coping skills at a very young age when her mother died of a brain tumor.  “I have real empathy for the adult literacy students because life deals you nasty blows sometimes – it isn’t always fair,” she said. She was raised by her father, who she describes as “old school.”  Her three older sisters helped care for her and her younger brother.

“You can judge others, but until you walk in their shoes, you will never know,” said Soyka.

Since taking the training to become a literacy tutor, Soyka has provided individual tutoring for three different adult students with varied backgrounds and varied challenges.

Her first student, a 19 year-old woman from Brazil wanted to improve her English so she could get her driver’s license, a green card, and a job.  “I helped Dayane get her first full time job,” exclaimed Soyka with pride.  “It was a pleasure to work with her because she was so motivated and I could see she really appreciated my help.  She still comes back to visit me!”

Soyka is now matched with two other women, 26 and 46 years of age, who struggle to read. “I encourage, motivate and turn to my bag of tricks,” said Soyka referring to the flash cards, coins, toys, and eraser board she carries with her to the tutoring sessions.   “They are both so motivated.  I find it personally so rewarding to see the progress… By helping others, we feel good about ourselves.”

Married at 21, Soyka and her husband Joe lived in Elizabeth for a few years before buying their house on Elm Street in Clark, where they have lived for 45 years.

“We were young and poor then,” she said.  “Those were some of the best years of our lives when we worked on fixing up the house together.”  Today, because of her husband’s health issues, they are somewhat limited in what they can do and where they can go.

They raised two daughters and a son and made education paramount.  “I insisted that they all go to college,” said Soyka, who went as far as Abraham Clark High School in Roselle.  “I believe if you are educated, you can do anything you want.  It gives you the opportunity to succeed in life.  I’m so proud of my children and all they’ve accomplished.”

Soyka’s adult students weren’t so fortunate.  Education wasn’t stressed in their homes growing up.  “I don’t think Belinda had any support at home.  She lacks confidence.  I tell her it just takes time,” said Soyka.  “I’m proud to help her work on developing her reading ability so she can reach her goals of getting a better paying job; obtaining her driver’s license and helping her own children succeed.  Learning to read would truly change her life.”

Eileen, Soyka’s other student, who reads at a 5th grade level, wants to improve her reading, learn to use the computer, and develop her financial literacy.  “We’re working on counting change and understanding money,” said Soyka. “I also have her writing book reports.”

Soyka relies upon the support and supervision from the Literacy Volunteers professional staff.  “They are wonderful.  Dawn (the Literacy Specialist) is fantastic!  I know if I need anything, Dawn is there to help me,” said Soyka. 

 “I also do research to see what I can do to help my students,” said Soyka.  “I’m learning as I’m going, too!”

For more information about Literacy Volunteers, call 908/486-1777 or visit www.lvaunion.org

 

 


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