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Farewell from our executive director, Bernie Steiger
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Dear Friends, After three wonderful years with Literacy DuPage, I want to let you know that June 30th will be my last day as the Executive Director. I will be spending some special time with my family over the summer and will return to the private sector in the fall.
I will very much miss our awesome volunteers and staff, my amazing colleagues and partners in the vibrant DuPage County non-profit sector, and our unbelievable learners who are so determined to improve their lives through increased English skills. Our work to empower adults through literacy is deeply meaningful to me and will be difficult to leave. However, I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity in this short time to help bolster Literacy DuPage's efforts to increase literacy awareness, expand and diversify its funding, build much-needed capacity and to increase support to our learners and tutors.
I am very grateful to everyone who has helped and supported me along this incredible journey. In particular I want to thank the Literacy DuPage Board, volunteers, staff and most especially, Carol Garcia, Literacy DuPage's steadfast Program Director, who has been a true partner and friend. Carol's deep passion for literacy, her family, and her work inspires me every day!
Our Board has been very engaged over these past few months in selecting my successor and will be announcing their choice soon. Best wishes for continued success!
Thanks much,
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Volunteers needed for Ribfest
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We are looking to fill 20 volunteer spots for serving food at the Naperville Ribfest Sponsor Tent from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 2. If you cannot stay the whole day we have two shifts available, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and
1 to 5 p.m.
Benefits of volunteering for the event: 1. Get a free Literacy DuPage t-shirt. 2. Get free entrance into Ribfest. Listen to Sheryl Crow and Sister Hazel live that evening! 3. Show your support for Literacy DuPage at an event where proceeds will be dedicated to eliminating child abuse and domestic violence in our community.
All volunteers must be at least 14 years old. Please e-mail Sang Yup Lee at [email protected] by June 21 if you want to participate. Include your t-shirt size (we have men's small to 2XL).
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Join Team Laps for Literacy
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Starting July 9, Team Laps for Literacy will begin training with the Naperville Running Company for the Healthy Driven Naperville Marathon & Half Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 23. During training, runners can pick from nine difference paces, ranging from a run/walk group that takes 1-minute walk breaks to a group that runs at a pace of 8 minutes and 30 seconds per mile. Literacy DuPage will reimburse the $70 team training cost when you reach your fundraising minimum for Team Laps for Literacy. For more information or to sign up, click here.
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Thank you to our generous funders!
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DuPage County Health and Human Services - $25,000
Nora Roberts Foundation - $5,000
City of Naperville - $4,300
Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) Tina B. Carver Fund - $400
Wheaton Lions Club - $750
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New board member, Dan Dahlke
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Dan is the vice president of operations at Giant Steps. He holds a master's degree in social work and has nearly 20 years of experience working in the health and human services field. An experienced grant writer, Dan has secured more than $12 million in grant funding over the past 10 years. Dan looks forward to offering his input and experience to help Literacy DuPage meet fundraising objectives and increase volunteer support.
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Our annual Recognition Luncheon is scheduled for noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17, at Bobak's in Woodridge. More information coming soon!
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Congratulations to our newest graduates!
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Villa Park Public Library
Mary Wolf, Larry Page, Gary Wenstrup, Marie Espero, Harini Chandramouli, Marilyn Brown, Arlyn Lucero Lisle Public LibraryKaren Perry, Vickie Galvin, Janet Lawrence, Susan Marshall, Mike Santchi, Jacquie Wood, Diane Lillwitz, Cheri Tanner, Rachel Peirce, David Hiatt, Candice Danzell, Christine Wyllie, Subhadra Ayyagari, Aileen Eilert Community Christian Church Lynn Cornwell, David Ploense, Anne Kryger, Dan Kane, Pat Gulotta, JoAnn Herzberger, Beatrice Demos, Lesley Malik, Meena Advani Aftab Hinsdale Public LibraryMary Ceh, Drae Namaste-Rose, Rose Sula, Jennifer Ahearn, Gerry Kirschbaum, Shabeeh Syed, Gerald Finch, Norval "Bud" Poulson, Agurann Bates, Camille Harris, Laura McGrath, JoAnne Janssen, Meg Fletcher
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Upcoming volunteer orientations and training
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If you are interested in becoming a volunteer tutor, please call (630) 416-6699 to register for a volunteer orientation prior to starting training workshops. Here are four upcoming volunteer orientation dates:
After you attend a volunteer orientation you can sign up for the 18-hour tutor training. Here are upcoming training dates:
Mondays & Wednesdays
July 11, 13, 18
Aug. 1, 3, 8
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Elmhurst Public Library
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Tuesdays & Thursdays
July 19, 21, 26
Aug. 16, 18, 23
6 to 9 p.m.
Warrenville Public Library
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Saturdays
July 20 & Aug. 6, 27
9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Fountaindale Library in Bolingbrook
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