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Information and inspiration for our friends and partners. |
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Welcome New Adult Learners
 | Kathy Moran
Program Coordinator |
We would like to extend a warm welcome to Damian, Ji Yun, Sam, Seongjae, Paul and Young-Ho, new learners who started started with us in August and September.
Welcome New Tutors
Congratulations to our newest tutors who completed pre-service training in September: Ira Goodkin, Kathleen Hall, Theresa Koehler, Ethan Moes, David Record and Betsy Snyder. Thank you for partnering with us.
Tutor Log Reminder
Don't forget to submit your October tutor log; please help us make accurate and timely reports to our stakeholders. You can email: kmoran@lvwcc.org, fax: (708) 848-9564, or mail: Kathy Moran/LVWCC, PO Box 4502, Oak Park, IL 60304. Tutor Recognition
Congratulations to tutors who recently completed in-service training. Your dedication leads to increased learner success.
- Ira Goodkin, Reading and Writing Strategies workshop
- Beth Venzke, Reading Horizons phonics training
- Jeriann Walsh, Reading Horizons phonics training, Teaching Reading
 Tutor Networking Opportunity
All tutors are invited to 16th Annual Literacy Forum on Thursday, November 14 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Anixter Center, 2032 N. Clybourn, Chicago, hosted by Literacy Works. Volunteer ABE and ESL tutors from all over the Chicago area will gather to share experiences, ideas and resources. Email kmoran@lvwcc.org to register.
Adult Education Publications
Take a look at Notebook: Resources for the Adult Educator, Fall 2013. Don't miss the goals checklist on page 5 and the chart on page 7 where your learner can keep a record of where he or she spoke English each day of the week. Program Achievements During the 2012-2013 fiscal year, 60 volunteer tutors provided literacy instruction to 91 adult learners through our program. Our tutors helped 23 adult learners improve their reading skills and 68 more improve their English, with a total of 2,488 hours of instruction given. The average tutor volunteered 32 hours and attended 3 hours of in-service training. Congratulations to Kathy Moran, our tutors, and our adult learners for a job well done!
Website of the Month
www.proliteracyednet.org
This website from ProLiteracy Education Network offers both interactive exercises and printable lessons. There are sections for students as well as tutors, and lessons cover everything from fire safety to citizenship to using a computer. Every learner and tutor will find something useful here.
Compounded Results
Adult learners who attend both individual and group tutoring sessions show the biggest gains. Remind your learner to attend our small group sessions. Our tutors lead ESL Conversation Cafés at Brookfield, Oak Park, and River Forest Libraries, as well as an Adult Reading Skills Group at the Forest Park Library. Check our calendar for the schedule. Raispis Collection Borrowing
The Barbara A. Raispis Collection has been streamlined and relocated to the Berwyn Public Library. The Raispis Collection is not kept in the public area; please call Esther at (708) 749-6328 to arrange a time if you would like to browse. Browsing hours are by appointment only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 am to 4 pm, and Thursdays from 1-9 pm. Stay tuned for our collection updates. Read more about public library literacy collections and how they are improving.
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Welcome New Staff Members
Jasmine Brown brings 14 years of professional library experience to her role as Outreach Coordinator in our southern region. Jasmine's understanding of library culture and her experience as a life-long resident in our service area contribute to an informed and confident effort to enroll new adult learners and tutors south of I-290.
Natasha Neal brings 14 years of professional social service experience to her role as Outreach Coordinator in our northern region. Natasha's expertise as a licensed clinical social worker informs her engagement with adults and parents looking to move from crisis to stability in which elevated literacy plays a key role. Watch for her involvement in communities north of I-290.
Tutor of the Month: Dolly Baruch 
Written by Jasmine Brown
Dolly has been volunteering with LVWCC since 2000. She currently conducts 2/3 one-on-one ESL tutoring sessions and is one of the Group Leaders for the ESL Conversation Cafe held at the Brookfield Pubic Library on Wednesdays at 1:00 pm. When asking Dolly why she started volunteering, she related this wonderful experience:
"My mother always told me that whatever I did, I should do it for money, that I should not be a volunteer, but she herself volunteered all over the place: local theater, religious organizations, St Jude Children's Hospital, and various other good causes. So when I got the opportunity in my twenties to volunteer through my job, which sponsored a local high school tutoring program, and I got time off from work to do it, so I jumped at it. I was hooked, and have been at it ever since."
Dolly enjoys seeing her students make progress. She related that one of her students has been able to progress to the point of receiving a Masters Degree. Seeing them advance in life and having their interaction develop from a tutor-student relationship to a friendship has brought her much joy.
Over the course of her tutoring career, Dolly has tutored at least 15 students. Thank you Dolly for your continued support; you truly deserve the honor of October's Tutor of the Month!
Student of the Month: Robert Petrauskas
Written by Natasha Neal
What country are you from and how long have you been in the U.S.?
Robert and his family emigrated from Lithuania ten years ago.
How long have you been a student with LVWCC?
He has been a student with LVWCC for 3 years. He has participated in both one-on-one tutoring and Conversation Cafe.
What challenges stood in the way of your academic success?
Robert explained that learning English can be challenging because any given word may have multiple meanings. He also expressed difficulty learning how to pronounce certain words correctly.
Can you describe an accomplishment that you've made that wouldn't have been possible without your tutor?
Robert reported that as a result of working with his personal tutor and attending the Conversation Cafe, he feels increasingly comfortable speaking English. Robert's improved English skills led him to take a weekly volunteer position at the Forest Park Library. Robert also recently began to write short stories in English, which he really enjoys.
What does it take to learn English successfully?
Robert shared that while learning English has not been that challenging, it has required lots and lots of practice. He reported that watching movies and listening to songs in English has helped him with pronunciation and has given him a better feel for the language.
Library of the Month: Cicero Public Library 
Written by Jasmine Brown
Our first library of the month is the Cicero Public Library. The Cicero Public Library is located at 5225 Cermak Road. Ever wondered what the Cicero Library offers for adult literacy support? Reference Librarian, Veronica Spycher, gives us some insight.
Does your library have a defined adult literacy or ESL collection? Yes, both are offered and are currently being updated. We are also looking into grant writing opportunities to expand the collection.  Does your library have independent study materials for English language learners and/or adult new readers?Yes, mostly in the form of audio cassettes or CDs.
Do you offer space for one-to-one and small group tutoring? If yes, how should a tutor make a reservation? There are small study rooms available by calling the Circulation desk or stopping by. Tutors do not have to be Cicero residents or library card holders to reserve the room.
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Recent Donors
We would like to take the opportunity to thank those who have made donations to our organization in fiscal year 2013.
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$25 - $99
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$100 - $499
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$500 +
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Christine Lees
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Magda Cassol
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Adele Cannell
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Cristen Vincent
| Chris Connelly | | | |
Sheila McDonnell
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Claudio Antonio
de Oliveira
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Christine Petrassi
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New Board Members
Adele Cannell has been a volunteer tutor with LVWCC since 2009 and resides in Elmwood Park. She has a professional background in pharmaceutical sales and is currently a Senior Federal Account Manager at Novartis Pharmaceuticals. Adele was educated at Chatham College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and holds a B.A. in Biology and Psychology. Welcome Adele!
Jolinda Cappello has been a volunteer tutor with LVWCC since 2011 and also  resides in Elmwood Park. She has a professional background in communications and is currently a Communications Specialist at the American Society of Safety Engineers. Jolinda was educated at DePaul and Dominican Universities and holds an M.A. in Business and Professional Writing and a B.A. in English with a focus in Creative Writing. Welcome Jolinda!
Would you like to serve on our board of directors? Board members must:
- live in our service area, and
- attend 6 board meetings per year, and
- have at least 2 years of volunteer tutor experience with us, or
- have extensive non-profit directorship experience.
Please send an email to boardvicepresident@lvwcc.org for more information.
LVWCC Board Meetings
Board meetings are held every other month. Our next board meeting will be held on Monday, November 11, 2013 at 7:30 pm. We invite you to share your concerns about the organization and ask questions during our open session. If you would like to join us, please send an email to boardvicepresident@lvwcc.org for the location details.
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What makes an adult learner eligible for our services? While there is no charge for our services, our main source of funding stipulates that we must serve adults who read below the 9th-grade level, as well as adult English language learners who perform below the high intermediate level in English. Levels are determined by testing with the SORT, READ, TABE, BEST Literacy, BEST Plus, and ESLOA. Learn more.
Demographic Snapshot: Oak Park, IL 
Oak Park has always been a flagship community for LVWCC; it is where our office has been located for the last 28 years, and half of our volunteer tutors reside there.
If you live in Oak Park, you might have a pretty good idea of the demographics. If not, 96% of adults over the age of 25 have a high school diploma, and just 5% are unemployed. 25% of residents are no longer in the workforce. Read more.
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 LVWCC has been developing literacy skills with adults in the near-west suburbs of Chicago since 1985. We provide free customized tutoring to adult learners through a network of trained volunteer tutors.
Our unique service area includes disadvantaged communities where 25% of residents have not completed high school. Fortunately, we also have well-educated communities in our service area where 99% of residents have completed high school. Together, we are literally changing lives. Learn more.
Our program is made possible by a grant from the Illinois State Library, a division of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds designated for literacy. We are thankful that the State of Illinois continues to invest in our program. Find out more about how public libraries play a key role in the provision of literacy services.
Additional support for the work of LVWCC is made possible through a biennial competitive grant from the Donley Foundation, which helps us achieve our organizational mission in western Cook County. We are appreciative of the legacy created by Edward and Inez Donley and we are proud that the Foundation considers us a partner in their effort to help adults advance in life and contribute to society.
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Donate
Would you consider a monthly donation to our program? Small dependable gifts from friends like you help sustain our program each year while the state of Illinois works to release annual competitive funding. If you have already sent us a donation, thank you. Your support helps us train more tutors and reach more learners who need us.
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Volunteer
Helping an adult improve literacy skills can be a rewarding process for both you and your adult learner; the effects can last a lifetime and impact generations. More than reading, writing, or mathematics, improved literacy leads to greater self-confidence, engaged parenting, increased employability, and a desire for lifelong learning.
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PO Box 4502, Oak Park, IL 60304 ˇ P 708.848.8499 ˇ F 708.848.9564
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