Go the Extra Mile (G.E.M.) Awards 2024 - Ainsworth Savage
In honor of National Volunteer Appreciation 2024, Queens Public Library recognizes the contributions of its volunteers and spotlights the recipients of the Go the Extra Mile (G.E.M.) Volunteer Award. G.E.M. celebrates individuals that exemplify the values of Queens Public Library and demonstrate stellar customer service and dedication to our patrons and staff.
This year, Queens Public Library recognizes Ainsworth Savage for his work as an English Conversation Group Facilitator. Ainsworth comes in several times a week to help out with the Adult English Tutoring program at the Cambria Heights Library. The popular program has up to sixty students in attendance. “At Cambria Heights we have lot of migrants, including people from Haiti so there is a huge demand to learn English and get job skills”, said Kacper Jarecki, Community Library Manager at Cambria Heights Library. “Currently, Ainsworth is studying for his PhD in Education, and it shows. A few people even stopped coming because they indeed have found work thanks to [his work].”
Ainsworth works together with the branch staff to conduct the classes and helps children in the afterschool program with their homework. “One time, [Ainsworth] was even getting surgery and he was supposed to stay at home to recover, but he still came to the library to be here for the students because that's how much he cares about them”.
