3/12/25
Today, our guest speakers were Kristen Chmiel, Executive Director - Literacy DuPage, and Mike Gresk, Board Member - Literacy DuPage.
What it is: Literacy DuPage provides free, customized English tutoring to help adult learners reach their life skill goals. Literacy DuPage works with low-income adults in DuPage County who read below the ninth-grade level or speak English at a beginning level to improve their basic reading, writing, or English language proficiency. Tutoring is held in a library or other public location. Leaners are required to meet with their tutor weekly (for a minimum of two hours) for at least six months.
The need: According to the 2022 American Community Survey, the population in DuPage County is 907,127 and includes: 53,162 adults who do not have a high school diploma, 70,756 residents living in poverty; 250,805 residents that speak a language other than English at home and 87,614 speak English ‘less than well’; the median household income in DuPage County is $99,577 while the average annual income of a family served by Literacy DuPage is $27,200. Additionally, children of parents with low literacy levels have a 72% chance of achieving only the lowest level of literacy when they become adults, creating a cycle of illiteracy and poverty that can span generations.
Volunteer Tutors: Qualifications required - Mostly, you need patience and compassion; plus be at least 21 years old; have earned at least a high school diploma or equivalent; live in or around DuPage County; demonstrate the ability to speak, read, write, and understand English to communicate clearly at a native proficiency; be sensitive to the adult learner and other cultures; and be dependable, friendly, optimistic, interested in helping others and respectful of confidentiality. Tutors do not need to speak or understand another language or to have prior teaching experience. There is a time commitment: 45 minutes for an initial volunteer Meet & Greet session, 15 hours of tutor training, minimum of two in-service workshops each year and a minimum commitment of six months to tutor your adult learner for two hours per week.
For additional information, to volunteer, or to support Literacy DuPage, visit their website: https://www.literacydupage.org/