Literacy group's volunteers lauded for teaching

Technology may change how we live, learn and work, but Literacy Volunteers of DuPage takes a more personable approach.

For 35 years, the nonprofit group's successful one-to-one format has provided volunteer tutors to help adult students learn English at no cost.

"We serve an adult population that desperately wants to be able to speak, read, write and understand English so they can be productive in their lives," Executive Director Tana Tatnall said. "If we can help someone improve their literacy level, they will become self-sufficient.

"I have a strong belief this program does not put a Band-Aid on the problem, but is a bridge to help people become more independent. This program is a solution."

The literacy group's statistics speak volumes about the program's worthiness.

At a recognition luncheon Sunday, nine people were honored for volunteering more than 200 hours in the past year. Thirteen volunteers have 10 or more years with the organization, and 52 have volunteered for more than five years.

Awards also were given to the Community Partner of the Year, the Ronald L. McDaniel Foundation, and Volunteer of the Year, James McLean.

"Our volunteers commit for the long term because they see the difference they make in someone's life," Tatnall said.

Last year, 298 volunteer tutors served roughly 370 adult learners in DuPage County, Tatnall said. Seventy-two of those students entered employment, 20 entered other education or training programs and 18 obtained citizenship.

Lisle resident Nancy Gray, who received recognition for eight years of service, was motivated to volunteer by her own life experience.

"My husband worked for Ameritech, which is now AT&T, and we were transferred to Belgium where people speak French and Dutch," Gray said.

"We had plenty of support through the company, but managing the daily routine such as marketing, going to the post office, driving a car and learning that country's rules and regulations was not easy."

Barbara Hiner, a Lisle resident, joined the literacy volunteers shortly after Sept. 11, 2001, because she wanted to do something positive. She was recognized for giving 207 hours of service last year.

She currently co-leads the conversation group at Naperville's Naper Boulevard Library.

"We offer students an environment where they can practice their English speaking and listening skills," Hiner said. "We hope to build the students' confidence through practice."

Other conversation groups meet twice a month for two-hour sessions in Bensenville, Darien, Lisle and West Chicago. Because of the Lisle Library's current renovation, its group is temporarily meeting at the Woodridge Library.

There is a growing need within the county to teach and learn English.

"Since 1990, there is a 255 percent increase in the foreign-born population in DuPage County," Tatnall said. "We serve the population that cannot access classroom instructions. We take the classroom instruction to our students."

Adult learners who come to the literacy group are highly motivated. Some may have child-care issues, may not be able to drive or may have conflicts with work schedules that prevent them from attending structured ESL classes. Those who are able are encouraged to take classes at College of DuPage.

Volunteers do not need to have a teaching background. Tutors receive six training classes and ongoing support services.

Each lesson in the Literacy Volunteer program is customized to the student's needs. Someone may want to become more involved in their child's education, another may need help to fill out job applications and still another may have consumer-related issues.

"We have students at all levels," Tatnall said. "Some have advanced degrees in other languages but they need to speak English to gain employment in the U.S."

Pairing a tutor to a student takes into consideration the availability of each person, any personal requests and varied locations. After every 30 hours of instruction, the program manager assesses the student's goals and makes sure everyone is on track.

"There is plenty of information to help you," Gray said. "The Lisle Library, the volunteer office (24W500 Maple Ave.) and the College of DuPage all have wonderful resources.

"ESL books are not children's literature, but rather are written for adults in a simplified language with a vocabulary list at the end of the book and a few questions for reading comprehension."

As the group moves forward, it has added several new initiatives.

"In Bensenville, we are sending a professional services trainer twice a week to work with its birth to age 3 parent group," Tatnall said.

"We started this as a pilot program in the spring and found such an improvement that we are doing it again."

Tatnall also is launching "Ladies for Literacy."

"We are going to small groups and asking for sponsorship of women in our program," Tatnall said.

Women's clubs, Rotary groups or individual in-house gatherings can invite Tatnall to speak and learn about sponsoring a woman in the literacy program.

For those who want to volunteer, the next training session is 6 to 8:45 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Bloomingdale Public Library.

For details, check out www.literacyvolunteersdupage.org or call (630) 416-6699.