The Literacy Connection's 30th Anniversary Celebration & Fundraiser

The Literacy Connection is hosting its 30th Anniversary Celebration & Fundraiser on November 8, 2014 at 6 p.m. at the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin. The agency provides free literacy tutoring to adults in our community, and the tutor training teaches volunteers to help their neighbors learn to read, write, speak and understand English better.

The event features guest speaker Rob Shindler, adult literacy advocate and author of Hotdogs & Hamburgers, Unlocking Life’s Potential by Inspiring Literacy at Any Age. Rob’s book tells the story of his journey to help his son overcome a major reading deficiency through volunteering to teach adults to read. Compelled to volunteer for Literacy Chicago as a means to help his son, Shindler developed unconventional, yet successful, learning techniques. Through this journey, Shindler learned firsthand the common misconceptions about learning disabilities and adult literacy.

Shindler is the founder of Abogados America, a small law firm in Chicago specializing in representing the Hispanic community, which faces an array of legal injustices. “My Spanish-speaking clients are a lot like adults fighting illiteracy,” he says. “Society tends to judge both before all the evidence is in.” Shindler’s hope is that “Hot Dogs & Hamburgers” will elevate the profile of adult illiteracy and raise awareness of the issue to help slow that judging process down. More information is available at http://robshindler.com/.

The celebration includes a buffet dinner, cash bar, and 50/50 raffle. Price is $75 for an individual ticket or $525 for a table of 8. Please RSVP or make a gift by October 29. Mail a check payable to The Literacy Connection, 270 N. Grove Avenue, Elgin, IL 60120 or visit the website at www.elginliteracy.org to register. All proceeds from this event will benefit The Literacy Connection’s programs.

The Literacy Connection serves nearly 300 adults each year in 16 northwest suburban Chicago communities including Algonquin, Bartlett, Carpentersville, Cary, Elgin, South Elgin, East Dundee, West Dundee, Gilberts, Hanover Park, Hampshire, Hoffman Estates, Huntley, Lake in the Hills, Streamwood, and Schaumburg. The agency provides customized one-on-one adult tutoring, English conversation groups, and family literacy programs.