South Suburban College (SSC) is seeking participants for the Adult Volunteer Literacy Tutoring Program. The program is structured to train volunteers to become one-on-one tutors for adults needing basic literacy skills. Instruction in basic literacy includes the development of phonetic reading skills, whole language experience, and effective communication skills. Residents are invited to volunteer as tutors and encourage others to take advantage of this free professional development opportunity.
Once certified, SSC's volunteer literacy tutors visit adult learners at locations in or near their neighborhoods. Tutoring is flexibly scheduled based on the availability of tutors, learners, and tutoring sites. The following areas have been established as tutoring sites: Acorn Public Library, Oak Forest; Glenwood-Lynwood Library; Harvey Public Library; Phoenix Public Library; Calumet City Public Library; Grande Prairie Library, Hazel Crest; Homewood Public Library; South Holland Public Library; South Suburban College Main Campus Library, South Holland; South Suburban College Oak Forest Center Library, Oak Forest; Lansing Public Library; Dolton Public Library; Riverdale Public Library; Blue Island Public Library; Dixmoor Public Library; Tinley Park Public Library; Markham Public Library; Midlothian Public Library; and Thornton Public Library.
Illiteracy can be debilitating for adults who have yet to receive the proper instruction. Adults who cannot read experience difficulty completing many daily activities that others may take for granted while also experiencing a disadvantage in today's competitive job market.
SSC's Office of Adult Education administers the Adult Volunteer Literacy (AVL) Tutoring Program in addition to High School Equivalency (HSE), English as a Second Language (ESL), and Adult Basic Education (ABE). These opportunities are made possible by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library (ISL), a division of the Office of the Secretary of State, using state funds designated for literacy.
The April training will take place at the South Suburban College Oak Forest Campus in Oak Forest on Tuesdays and Thursdays from April 4 through April 27, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. This 12-hour program culminates with literacy training certification. Tutors will continue to receive free professional development services throughout this program. Successful tutors are also eligible for letters of support or recommendation for jobs, scholarships, educational opportunities, and more. For additional information, or to register, please contact David Stephens, Adult Literacy Grants Manager, at (708) 596-2000, ext. 2558, or email DStephens@ssc.edu
