I was at PJ Clarke's, having a snack with my partner after a film screening at Lincoln Center. Our waiter spoke with thoughtful deliberation. He was probably not a native English speaker, but he took great care with his words. He double checked with us to ensure that he had gotten the order correctly.

Later he presented me and my partner with the check. When I asked him if he was from Russia the waiter said, yes. I mentioned that I recognized his accent because I was volunteering as a group conversation leader at an immigrant services community center called the Riverside Language Program. His face lit up. He told us that he had studied at that school and had gained so much English language proficiency that they guided him to a more advanced course. I asked the gentleman what he did in Russia. He replied that he was a lawyer. My partner, who is not a reticent sort, then told the waiter that I was a retired judge. After expressing his admiration, the gentleman told us that he had been accepted at Fordham Law School and at that moment we were all looking in marvel at that very school building right across the street.

As my partner and I were leaving the restaurant the waiter called out to us, "Thank you for volunteering at Riverside, thank you for Riverside."

Eleanor MacDonald
Riverside Volunteer