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Former Student Opens Restaurant

Because of help he received from a tutor, Denny was able to open a new restaurant without help of a translator.

As a teenager and young adult, En “Denny” Xie labored in steamy kitchens of Chinese restaurants stretching from New York’s famed Chinatown to the mountains of Denver. He had come to the United States with his father and only a seventh-grade education from his native China. He knew “zero” English and didn’t realize that was a problem until years later, when he wanted to open his own restaurant.

Opening a business requires dealing with licensing agencies, health and fire inspectors, contractors, and, ultimately, customers. When Denny opened Samurai Steakhouse in West Bloomfield, he was entirely dependent on a friend to translate for him.

“It would have been a lot easier” to open the restaurant conversant in English, Denny recalled in an interview at the restaurant, where koi swim in a pool in the lobby.

The desire to become fluent in English led Denny to ask Oakland Literacy Council for a tutor. He was matched with Denise, and the pair met at the Farmington Hills Public Library weekly.

“My tutor taught me proper sentence structure and new vocabulary,” he said. “I never expected a free tutor would teach like a professional. She helped me a lot.”

Denny’s reading and conversational skills improved over the two-and-a-half-year-period he met with his tutor. Then Denny began to dream of opening a business in Farmington Hills that would help revitalize a strip of Grand River Avenue.

This time, he dealt with the government officials, architects, and contractors all by himself, without help from a translator. Samurai Hibachi and Sushi restaurant opened last fall in space formerly occupied by a bakery. He also renovated three residential units on the second floor.

Denny is also developing a new, four-story, mixed-use building next door to Farmington Hills restaurant. Denny hopes construction will begin this summer. A second restaurant will occupy the first floor, with condos above.

Becoming literate made it possible for Denny to pursue his dreams. “All immigrants want the American Dream, no matter who they are,” he said.

Meet other 35 Faces of Literacy

For over 37 years, the Oakland Literacy Council (OLC) has enabled adult students to achieve individual literacy goals through a partnership with trained volunteer tutors. OLC serves native-English speaking adults who need basic reading, writing, and math skills (adult basic education — ABE), and foreign-born adults who need English reading, writing,  or conversation skills (English Language Learners — ESL).

The Oakland Literacy Council is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 tax-exempt entity that relies on the financial support of individuals, businesses, community organizations, and foundations to fulfill its mission. Your tax-deductible financial gift can be made online, by mail or by Donor-Advised Fund. The Oakland Literacy Council also welcomes gifts of Stock and Legacy Gifts.

In celebration of Oakland Literacy Council’s 35th anniversary, we’ve invited students, former students, tutors, donors, and other advocates to share their stories. Read all of their stories here.

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Oakland Literacy Council 51111 Woodward Ave., Suite 720 Pontiac, MI 48342 (248) 253-1617

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