Adult Literacy at South Suburban College: Free Learning Opportunities are Available and Volunteer Tutors are Needed

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL– 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. South Suburban College is currently 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 at the Main Campus in South Holland on Tuesdays and Thursdays from May 3rd through May 19th and from June 7th through June 23rd from 4:00 –5:30 p.m. The tutor training is a 12-hour program that culminates with literacy training certification. Online training is also provided. Tutors will continue to 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.

Once certified, SSC’s volunteer literacy tutors visit their adult learners at locations within or near their neighborhoods. Tutoring sites have already been established at the following locations: Acorn Public Library, Oak Forest; Glenwood-Lynwood Library; Harvey Public Library; Phoenix Public Library; Calumet City Public Library; Grande Prairie Library, Hazel Crest; Homewood Public Library; South Holland Public Library; South Suburban College Library, Main Campus; Oak Forest Center Library, Oak Forest; Lansing Public Library; Dolton Public Library; Riverdale Public Library; Blue Island Public Library; Dixmoor Public Library; Tinley Park Public Library; Markham Public Library and Midlothian Public Library. Tutoring is flexibly scheduled based on the availability of the tutors, learners and tutoring sites. 

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). 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.

For more information or to register, please contact David Stephens, Adult Literacy Grants Manager, at (708) 596-2000, ext. 2558, or email DStephens@ssc.edu.