South Suburban College Seeks Literacy Volunteers

Deborah Bayliss | As of Wednesday, November 6, 2013

South Suburban College is encouraging residents to take this opportunity to volunteer as a tutor or encourage someone you know to take advantage of this free program.
South Suburban College is encouraging residents to take this opportunity to volunteer as a tutor or encourage someone you know to take advantage of this free program.

South Suburban College (SSC) needs tutors for its Adult Volunteer Literacy Tutoring Program.

"Tutoring is a very rewarding opportunity for anyone who is able to read and/or process mathematical problems, because it will give the volunteer the opportunity to help someone who desperately is in search of assistance to improve his or her abilities in these areas,” said Jane Ellen Stocker, Vice President of Enrollment & Community Education South Suburban College.

Volunteers will receive training to provide instruction in phonetic reading combined with communication skills for adults in need of basic literacy skills.

“Whether it is a community member or a South Suburban College Adult Education student, the person needs help to perform basic functions in life,” Stocker said. “The (volunteer) service requires no expense other than travel to a mutual location. All that is needed is time and the desire to help. The people, the Literacy Program and South Suburban College are all grateful for this assistance."

New tutor-training sessions will take place on the Main Campus on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. from November 19th through December 12th in Room 1243c.

Tutors will receive one free professional development hour through this program in Adult Education, Reading, Writing, and many other subjects.

Successful tutors are also eligible for letters of support or recommendation for jobs, scholarships, educational opportunities, and more training that is 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.

The 18-hour training program culminates with literacy training certification.

Once certified, tutors will go out to visit their adult learners at locations in or near their neighborhoods.

Administered by SSC’s Office of Community Education, General Education Development (GED), English as a Second Language (ESL), and Adult Basic Education (ABE), tutoring sites have already been established at the following locations: Acorn Public Library, Oak Forest; Calumet City Public Library; Grande Prairie Library, Hazel Crest; South Holland Public Library; South Suburban College Library, Main Campus; University and College Center Library, Oak Forest; Lansing Public Library; Dolton Public Library; and Midlothian Public Library.

Tutoring is scheduled based on the availability of the tutors and the learners, and the availability of space and hours of the tutoring sites.

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, according to SSC.

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

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