May 20 Literacy Works Gala in Evanston Celebrated Adult Learning

May 31, 2017—Language, in all its most useful and entertaining forms, took center stage at the May 20 Literacy Works gala at the Unitarian Church of Evanston. Wordplay: An Evening of Mysterious Improv celebrated the nonprofit’s work to build a strong network of community-based adult and family literacy programs in Evanston and throughout Chicago. These programs offer adults with limited literacy skills instruction in reading, writing, math and English as a Second Language (ESL).

The evening, complete with professional emcee Keri Keillor and signature “Lord of the Mai Tais” cocktail, featured an improv performance based on famous—and not so famous—whodunit titles by the Whirled News Tonight actors out of Chicago’s renowned iO Theater. Among the honored guests enjoying the festivities was Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, who offered remarks underscoring the importance and urgency of Literacy Works’ programs.

Literacy Works Executive Director Christine Kenny capped her presentation by announcing the organization’s 2017 honorees. Inspiration Award winner Natalie Moore, WBEZ Chicago Public Radio’s South Side correspondent and author of South Side: A Portrait of Chicago and American Segregation, has reported extensively on issues of education, community development and social justice in Chicago’s neighborhoods.

Dr. Teddy Bofman, Literacy Works’ 2017 Betsy Rubin Adult Educator Award winner, is professor emerita in the Linguistics Department at Northeastern Illinois University. Over the course of four decades of teaching, Bofman has had a profound impact on adult education through the hundreds of students she has trained and inspired.

Megnonhou Sossouki, this year’s recipient of the Charline Johnson Adult Learner Award, came to the U.S. three years ago. He spoke no English when he arrived. While taking ESL classes at a Literacy Works member organization and working with a Literacy Works-trained tutor, Megnonhou has made great strides that are helping him build a productive and fulfilling life in his new country.

In addition to snapping up books, theatre tickets, and other literary-themed items in an eclectic silent auction, attendees at the event donated funds surpassing Literacy Works’ $5,000 “Fund the Need” goal. The money will train over 100 new tutors to work with adult learners in high-need communities.

More than 120 guests attended the benefit, which in total raised over $40,000 to ensure that high-quality adult education is available to the people who need it most.