SOUTH SUBURBAN COLLEGE ADULT VOLUNTEER LITERACY PROGRAM SEEKING VOLUNTEER TUTORS AND OFFERING FREE SERVICES

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL–South Suburban College is seeking tutors and participants for the Adult Volunteer Literacy Tutoring Program. The program is structured to train volunteers to become one-on-one tutors for adults in need of basic literacy skills. Instruction in basic literacy includes the development of phonetic reading skills combined with communication skills. SSC is encouraging residents to take this opportunity to volunteer as a tutor or encourage someone you know to take advantage of the free program.

New tutor training sessions will take place on both the Main Campus and Oak Forest Campus in December 2015 and January 2016. The tutor training is an 18-hour program that culminates with literacy training certification. Once certified, the tutors will go out to visit their adult learners at locations in or near their neighborhoods.

Tutoring sites have already been established at the following locations: Acorn Public Library, Oak Forest; Calumet City Public Library; Glenwood-Lynwood Library; Grande Prairie Library, Hazel Crest; Harvey Public Library; Homewood Public Library; South Holland Public Library; South Suburban College Library, Main Campus; SSC Oak Forest Center Library, Oak Forest; Lansing Public Library; Dolton Public Library; Riverdale Public Library; Markham Public Library; Midlothian Public Library and Phoenix Public Library. Tutoring is scheduled by the availability of the tutors and the learners, and the availability of space and hours of the tutoring sites.

Illiteracy is an issue that can be debilitating in so many ways for adults who never received the proper instruction. Adults who are unable to read have a much more difficult time with many daily activities that others may take for granted, along with a clear disadvantage in today’s competitive job market. SSC’s Office of Adult Education administers the Adult Volunteer Literacy Tutoring Program in addition to High School Equivalency (HSE), English as a Second Language (ESL), and Adult Basic Education (ABE).

Tutors will 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. These opportunities are made possible by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library (ISL), a division of the Office of Secretary of State, using state funds designated for literacy.

If you would like to volunteer or know someone who would benefit from these services, please contact LaKisha Hillard, M. Ed, Coordinator of the Adult Volunteer Literacy Program, at (708) 596-2000, ext. 2558, or email lhillard@ssc.edu. South Suburban College is located at 15800 S. State St., South Holland, Illinois.