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Information and inspiration for our friends and partners. |
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Kathy Moran
Program Coordinator
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Holiday Availability
During the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's, we will be working a limited schedule. We will still be responding to calls and email messages, but replies may be delayed. Thank you for your patience and we wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.
New Office Space
A few days ago we signed a new lease for shared office space at 1010 W. Lake Street in Oak Park, which is located immediately east of Lake Theatre. Sharing the space means that we will only use the office on Thursdays, but the new building has two elevators and a security guard at night, which is quite an improvement over the Marion Street office. The money we save will go towards payroll that allows us to grow the program and serve more learners who need us. Our first day in the new office will be Thursday, December 5th. An official address change will be announced in our January newsletter.
Welcome New Adult Learners
We would like to extend a warm welcome to Jinyang, Khalid, and Kathy, new learners who started instruction with us in November.
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New Tutors in November
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Welcome New Tutors
Congratulations to our newest tutors who completed pre-service training in November: Laura Cruz, Mandy Gawf, Stephanie Saucedo, Mike Doman and Michelle Harris. Thank you for partnering with us.
Group Learning Opportunities Check our calendar for the schedule. Tutor Log Reminder Help us make accurate and timely reports to our stakeholders; please submit your November tutor log by December 5th (addresses below). Learner Progress Reports Due Tutors, please remember to turn in your progress report by December 5th. These reports help us illustrate the everyday impact of our program. The form is a fillable PDF; you can type your responses directly into the document, save it, and email it back. Or you can simply print it out, write in your responses, then fax or mail via postal service. 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. - Andy Byrne, USCIS Citizenship Mock Interview Presentation, Berwyn PL
- Ira Goodkin, 16th Annual Literacy Forum, Literacy Works, Chicago
- Radeshia Brown, 16th Annual Literacy Forum, Literacy Works, Chicago
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Selecting Your Learner and Getting Started
Are you excited to start tutoring, but feeling a little nervous? Here are some tips for choosing your adult learner whether it's the first or the fifth.
- Your first ABE learner should have a reading level of 4 or higher.
- Your first ESL learner should have a speaking level of 4 or higher.
- If you need to hear or see tangible progress along the way, choose only intermediate learners. They have good basic skills and room to grow.
- Give yourself permission to find the right learner for you. If you don't "connect" with a new learner, contact your coordinator promptly.
- Understand that giving homework is not tutoring; work productively when you're together and make it count.
- Even if you only provide your learner with practice, noticeable improvement happens and it shows in post-testing.
- Empathy and encouragement help exponentially. Alternatively, reprimands foster shame and undermine the development of confidence.
- Working with low-level learners requires experience, intensive training, patience, energy, and time; gains are possible, slow, and rewarding.
Challenger Series
Challenger is a versatile reading series to use with both ABE and ESL learners. There are 8 books in the series; book numbers are roughly equivalent to reading grade levels. Challenger covers a wide variety of content, such as vocabulary, phonics, grammar, spelling, comprehension and writing, using topics that are interesting and relevant to adult learners. See sample pages here. Tutor copies can be requested online through SWAN and picked up at your local library. Student copies are available in the LVWCC Raispis Literacy Collection.
 Website of the Month
ESLpod.com is a great website for intermediate ESL learners to practice listening skills. Podcasts are available on many different topics with printable learning guides. If you like this service let us know; we might be able to purchase a subscription that gives you complete access to all of the podcasts and learning guides.
 Barbara A. Raispis Literacy Collection
The Raispis Collection has recently been streamlined and relocated to the Berwyn Public Library. To better serve tutors of low-level ABE and ESL students, we have compiled the most essential tools and resources on teaching beginner ABE and ESL, including phonics and beginner speaking.
The Raispis Collection is not kept in the public area; please call Esther at (708) 749-6328 or send an email to echase@berwynlibrary.org 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 to 9 pm.
New Items in the Raispis Collection
Reading Horizons empowers adult learners with a simple, streamlined approach for learning how to read. The curriculum is focused around teaching the 42 sounds of the English alphabet, 5 phonetic skills, and 2 decoding skills. Learners develop these skills through an explicit, systematic, and multi-sensory approach which is based on the Orton-Gillingham method.
The Raispis Collection now has student workbooks, the complete reading library, and lesson summary manuals that are perfect for one-to-one and small group tutors. Free online training for the Reading Horizons program is available; send an email to kmoran@lvwcc.org for more information.
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Tutor of the Month: Andy Byrne
Andy Byrne has been a tutor with us for 3 years. Andy's
life experience has prepared him well for the challenges and joys of teaching English as a Second Language.
He started out as an English major, but went on to become a social worker. Although he is retired now, Andy uses his education and social work experience to help our learners improve their literacy skills, form relationships with other learners, and connect to the community.  | |
Written by Natasha Neal
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When asked what led him to become a tutor, Andy said that he enjoys teaching people to read and write. He noted that writing, while difficult, is a great way to express oneself and an important skill to have in the workforce. He also said that tutoring, especially in groups, helps learners connect to their community and it decreases social isolation.
Andy's advice to new tutors: unlock your learner's potential and help them realize their own ability to learn.
Thank you Andy for bringing your expertise and passion to our organization and for helping our learners improve their lives. You truly deserve the honor of being December's Tutor of the Month!
Student of the Month: Hector and Lucia Lozan
 | | Lucia, Hector, and Radeshia |
What country are you from and how long have you been in the U.S.? Hector and Lucia are from Mexico and have been in the U.S. about 17 years.
How long have you been learning with LVWCC? They have been with LVWCC since 2011 and they attend their tutoring sessions together with Radeshia.
What is your goal in learning English? Hector would like to be able to read and write in English and possibly at a future date receive his GED. Lucia would like to be able to speak and converse in English. They have 4 children ages 20, 14, 7, and 5 and she believes it is important to be able to communicate with their teachers and help them with their homework; she also aspires to have her GED.
 | Written by
Jasmine Brown |
What has been the hardest part of learning English for both of you? You spell it one way, read it, and write it out another. Lucia said that pronunciation is the hardest but she knows practice will help her improve.
If you could give any advice to a person wanting to learn English, what would you say? Come with us! Try it out!
Interviewing Hector and Lucia was a great joy. It is clear to see that in 2 years of tutoring they have worked very hard. Their English conversation skills were excellent. We wish Hector and Lucia much success as they continue toward their goals!
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Liz Poppenhouse
Elmwood Park Library
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Library of the Month: Elmwood Park Public Library
Written by Natasha Neal
Does your library have a defined adult literacy or ESL collection?Yes, ESL books have been pulled and put into their own collection. ESL audio and visual materials are also located in this area.
Does your library have independent study materials for English language learners and/or adult new readers? We have a variety of independent study materials for English Language Learners including books, workbooks, DVD's, and CD's. Our library also subscribes to a service called Mango Languages. Mango offers language lessons in over 60 languages, including English lessons. These lessons are taught from a variety of languages including; Arabic, Spanish, French, Polish, and many more. Patrons can download the Mango app and learn on the go.
What kinds of materials do you have that would help volunteer tutors work with adult learners? Recently, LVWCC donated some of their materials to our library; therefore, our ESL collection has grown substantially. We have workbooks, picture dictionaries, grammar books, and other materials. Unfortunately, we don't have too many resources for adult new readers, but will develop the collection over time.
Do you offer space to reserve for one-to-one and small group tutoring? If yes, how should a tutor make a reservation? We do have a few rooms that can be reserved for one-to-one or small groups. To make a reservation, tutors can go online or call Adult Services at 708-395-1217.
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Learner Achievement and "Graduation"
We measure learner success in two ways--academic gains and life skills development. Adult learners also set goals with their tutors during the first few sessions of a new match.
Program-wide academic gains are tallied, averaged, and submitted to the Office of the IL Secretary of State (SOS) as required. We also elect to include life skills development in our narrative reporting to SOS and the Donley Foundation because we believe that these accomplishments are just as meaningful to our program as academic gains. Learn more.
Demographic Snapshot: Melrose Park, IL 
Melrose Park is located in our northwestern service quad. According to the 2010 Census, it has a population of 25,411 within roughly 4 square miles.
Melrose Park was historically home to a large Italian-American community, although now it is predominantly composed of Latinos. Only 69% of adults aged 25 and older have a high school diploma, and the unemployment rate is 8%; 31% of adult residents are no longer in the workforce. Read more.
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LVWCC Board of Directors
| Name | Resident of
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Since
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Current Role
| | Esther Chase | Oak Park
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2010
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Board Vice President
| | Tanya Sobosan | Riverside | 2008 | Board Member | | Mario K. Medina | Berwyn
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2011
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Board Member
| | Ron Harper | Oak Park
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2012
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Board Member
| | Adele Cannell | Elmwood Park
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2013
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Board Member
| | Jolinda Cappello | Elmwood Park
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2013
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Board Member
| | Katie Frankle | Oak Park
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2013
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Board Member
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Best Wishes 
We would like to thank Yolanda Walton Williams for her many years of service to LVWCC. Yolanda finished her second term as Board President last month and stepped down from the board of directors at that time. Yolanda started out as a tutor and ultimately joined the board to become more involved; whatever the need was, she gave it her best. We appreciate your dedication Yolanda and wish you well.
Recent Donors
We would like to take the opportunity to thank those who made donations this fiscal year:
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Monthly Giving Plan
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One-time Gifts
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In Kind Labor
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Esther Chase, $10
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Adele Cannell, $96
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Esther Chase, $20,800
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Anonymous, $12
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Sarah Connelly & Arden Realty, $100
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Katie Frankle, $50
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Greg Gordon, $100
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HuaYi He, $100
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Cristen Vincent, $42
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Board Membership
Would you like to serve on our board of directors? We are currently looking for a new member with a financial background; ESL learners with financial experience and a proficiency in using spreadsheets are encouraged to apply. 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
- be a current student with professional experience we need, or
- have extensive non-profit directorship experience.
Please send an email to boardvicepresident@lvwcc.org for more information.
Board Meetings
Board meetings are held every other month. Our next board meeting will be held on Monday, January 13, 2014 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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 LVWCC has been developing literacy skills with adults in the near-west suburbs of Chicago since 1987. 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 appreciate the legacy established 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 · P 708.848.8499 · F 708.848.9564
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