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May 2014
Literacy Lines
Information and inspiration for our friends and partners.
A Message from the President
As the first beautiful blooms of spring break through the rugged topsoil of winter, it
Esther Chase
LVWCC Board President
is with a renewed sense of hope and fortitude that we dig into creating a strategic plan for LVWCC. 
 
Many behind-the-scenes improvements have been made in the last ten months to become a greener, leaner, and more sustainable organization.
  • We halved our overhead costs allowing us to invest more into our program. 
  • We tripled donations from just one year ago, helping us rebuild reserves.
  • We went digital and mobile by adopting cloud-based business services in an effort go green and do more outreach.

For all that has changed, I am glad to see that some things have remained. We still have fantastic volunteer tutors dedicated to our vision and mission. We still have committed adult learners--our very own neighbors, who are developing the literacy skills they need to thrive. 

 

A great non-profit organization is defined by the magnitude of the impact it can have in a community: by pooling resources, by working together, and by inspiring one another to keep moving forward. Through your role as learner, tutor, donor, staff member, or director, you can literally change lives. If we give each role the passion and enthusiasm it deserves, 2014 will be one of the finest years LVWCC has seen in quite some time.

Program Announcements

Welcome New Adult Learners 

Welcome to Priscilla, Steven, Rita, Mario, Xiomara and Jose Luis, new learners who started instruction with us in April.

Kathy Moran 
Program Coordinator

Tutor Appreciation

We would like to recognize tutors who recently attended the annual On the Road to Literacy tutor training conferenceThank you for taking the time to broaden your tutoring skills.

  • Radeshia Brown
  • Joan Fiscella
  • Katie Frankle
  • Kathy Knerr
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 tutor logs by May 5th: Online, by email: kmoran@lvwcc.org, by fax: (708) 848-9564, or by postal mail: Kathy Moran/LVWCC, PO Box 4502, Oak Park, IL 60304. To download a blank log, just go to our website.

 

LVWCC Literacy Lines E-Newsletter Archives

Looking for previous editions of our e-newsletter? Click here for the archives.  

Tutor Tips & Resources

Upcoming Tutor Training

Email kmoran@lvwcc.org for more information or to register.


Literacy Works: 8th Annual Literacy Roundtable  
Tuesday, May 20, 6:00 to 8:30 pm 
Coraz�n a Coraz�n, 8235 S. South Shore Drive, 2nd floor

 

Come share your experiences, ideas, and resources with other volunteer tutors from across the Chicago area. It's a potluck; so please bring a dish to pass. There is plentiful free parking. Discussion topics will include: 

  • Tutoring Adult Basic Education (ABE)
  • Tutoring GED
  • Tutoring English as Second Language (ESL)
  • A Special Coordinators' Table

Literacy Works: Creating Culturally-Sensitive Learning EnvironmentsProf. Teddy Bofman, The Audrey Reynolds Distinguished Teaching Award talk, Part 1

Wednesday, June 4, 6:00 to 8:00 pm

Indo-American Center, 6328 N. California

 

In this workshop, we will examine myths and assumptions about education and culture, as well as discuss techniques we as ESL teachers can use to create culturally sensitive learning environments.

 

Dr. Teddy Bofman has been teaching ESL since 1973. She has a Ph.D. in Linguistics from the University of Michigan. Since 1985, she has been on the faculty of Northeastern Illinois University, where she is a member of the TESL program. She is the 2012 recipient of the Audrey Reynolds Distinguished Teaching Award.

 

Recommended Books: Pronunciation

Pronunciation Activities and Well Said are two good choices for tutors looking to help adult ESL learners improve their pronunciation. Both books are available at the Berwyn Library or through interlibrary loan.

Pronunciation Activities: Vowels in Limericks from Adam to Ursula, by Arlene Egelberg, is geared to high beginner and low intermediate learners. Each unit of the book features a limerick (short poem) that focuses on the sound and spelling of one of the English vowel sounds. The book uses an integrated skills approach, so reading, writing, listening and speaking practice are all included.


Well Said: Pronunciation for Clear Communication, by Linda Grant, is suitable for high-intermediate to advanced learners of English. The text addresses sound/spelling patterns, syllables, word endings, linking, stress, rhythm, and intonation, focusing on problem areas common to learners of most language backgrounds.
 

Website of the Month: The Times in Plain English

The Times in Plain English shares important news from a variety of America's most reputable sources in clear, readable English.  


Barbara A. Raispis Literacy Collection

The Raispis Collection has 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.  
Reaching Out
Learner of the Month: Christine A.soft-red-flower.jpg

A resident of Chicago, Christine entered our program last year and was matched with tutor Beth Venzke. She wanted to work on vocabulary, reading comprehension, and memory. It is evident from her responses that she also needed to build confidence, motivation, and stamina to achieve a healthy reading habit.

 

What challenges have stood in the way of your academic success?

In my younger years, I would say that there was a lack of me trying. I also felt that I wasn't smart enough, and this led to me being ashamed and embarrassed.

 

Written by
Jasmine Brown

How have you improved since becoming a learner with LVWCC? 

The best improvement of this journey is this feeling inside of me that is so overwhelming that it's uncontrollable...there is no way to repay my tutor for everything she has done to help me. My biggest wish was to learn to read every book in the library, and it's taking me baby steps to accomplish my goal, but I'm almost there.

 

What advice would you give to others who would like to learn or improve their English reading and writing skills? 

Learning is the best treasure out there. My best advice to others is to break out of your shells, step-up, and don't let life go by without reaching for the everlasting happiness that it has to offer.

 

Since Christine entered our program last June, she has improved three full grade levels in reading comprehension. Here are some heart-felt sentiments shared by her tutor, Beth, in Christine's last progress report:

  

"Chris proudly told me she finished the book "Lily's Crossing", the first book she ever remembers reading completely. She was very excited and able to see how much progress she has made. Then she texted me mid-week that she had finished her second book. Her confidence has definitely improved, though we are still working on it. I receive so much joy from being a small part of her accomplishments." ~Beth Venzke

 

Thank you Christine for setting a goal and working hard to achieve it. You truly deserve the honor of being May's Learner of the Month.

 

Tutor of the Month: Jolinda Cappello

Jolinda Cappello has been a successful and experienced tutor with LVWCC since September 2011, and she has become a valued member of our board of directors. She also happens to be a very enthusiastic Steven Tyler fan.

 

What brought you to the organization? I had been looking for local volunteer opportunities. One day, I happened to see an LVWCC flyer posted on the bulletin board at Panera in River Forest. That was the first time I had heard of LVWCC, and it seemed like the perfect organization to volunteer with. I love to read, so the prospect of helping other adults in the surrounding communities improve their literacy skills really resonated with me.  

 

What's your favorite part of tutoring? It is so exciting to see a learner reach milestones along the way. I have been fortunate enough to work with two dedicated and hardworking learners since 2011. The times when they explained a passage in their own words or recognized when a sentence sounded "off" showed me that we were making great progress.

Written by 
Natasha Neal

 

What do you find challenging about tutoring? When I first started tutoring, I felt a need to mix up the activities each week so the learner would not be bored. However, I have learned that consistency and routine can work well too, as long as it is on the learner's terms. However, the fear of potentially boring my learner still lingers in the back of my mind.

 

What advice do you have for people just starting to tutor? Establish your learner's long-term goals during the initial meeting and always ask for his/her input when determining what activities to work on each week.

 

You are not only a tutor, but also a board member. What has that experience been like? It was an honor to be elected to LVWCC's board last summer, and I am so happy to help strengthen and grow the organization. We have discussed many ideas to attract and retain learners and tutors and to increase funding for LVWCC. I cannot wait to see these ideas come to fruition. 

 

Thank you Jolinda for your dedication to tutoring and board service. You truly deserve the honor of being May's Tutor of the Month.

 

Library of the Month: River Forest Public Library

 

We have had the pleasure of working closely with River Forest Public Library. The library is located at 735 Lathrop Avenue in River Forest, at the corner of Chicago and Lathrop Avenues, about 8 blocks west of Harlem Avenue. RFPL provides space for our Conversation Cafe program, they support us at our events, and they provide referrals to our program. RFPL also invited us to present information about LVWCC at their recent staff in-service day. 

Blaise Dierks  Adult Services Manager

Does your library have independent study materials for English language learners and/or adult new readers? 

We have a very small collection of materials that may be helpful for English Language learners and their tutors in our 400's section. We are also glad to help tutors and learners find items through interlibrary loan. As part of the SWAN consortium we have access to a wider variety of materials.

 
D
o you offer space for one-to-one and small group tutoring? If yes, how should a tutor make a reservation? 

The library provides first-come, first-served seating on the second floor; we do not have any private study rooms. However, space is available for group work at tables on the second floor and we do also have a designated quiet zone for those who are looking for a quiet space to work. Our busiest time of day is 3:30 to 5 pm on weekdays during the school year and seating is often limited, so this is something to keep in mind when visiting the library. Our only space that can be reserved in the library is our meeting room; reservations can me made on our website.  

Leadership
We would like to take the opportunity to recognize financial support for our program this year:
 
Individual Donations
In Kind Labor Donation
Adele Cannell, $1,096
Esther Chase, $20,800
Jolinda Cappello, $132
Laura Jane & Myron Colber, $50
Business Donations
Esther Chase, $70
Sarah Connelly & Arden Realty, $1,100
Katie Frankle, $50
Whole Foods River Forest, $747
Dina Guirini-Gordon, $100
Greg Gordon, $100
Memorial Donations
HuaYi He, $100
In memory of tutor Edna McQuillan, $1,315
Sheila McDonnell, $75  
Mario K. Medina, $125Grants
Claudio Antonio de Oliveira, $100
IL Secretary of State, $33,243
Betsy Snyder, $200 
Rob and Rebecca Streit, $50 
Literacy For Adults Partnership & the Grand Victoria Foundation, $1,387 
Cristen Vincent, $42
Jeriann Walsh, $50
Michael Warnock, $30
Anonymous, $12 

LVWCC Board of Directors


Name
Resident of
Since
Current Role
Esther Chase
Oak Park
2010
Board President
Mario K. Medina
Berwyn
2011
Board Member
Adele Cannell
Elmwood Park
2013
Board Member
Jolinda Cappello
Elmwood Park
2013
Board Member

Board Membership 
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
  • be a current student with professional experience we need, or   
  • have extensive non-profit directorship experience.

Please send an email to echase@lvwcc.org for more information.

 
Board Meetings
Board meetings are held every other month. Our next board meeting will be held on Monday, May 12, 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 echase@lvwcc.org for the location details.
Who We Are
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 volunteers.
 
Our unique service area includes disadvantaged communities where 25% of residents have not completed high school, in addition to well-educated communities 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 an annual 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.
Give
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.

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.
 
Literacy Volunteers of Western Cook County (LVWCC)
Mailing Address: PO Box 4502, Oak Park, IL 60304 
Office Location: 1010 W. Lake St. Suite 603, Oak Park, IL 60301 
P 708.848.8499 � F 708.848.9564  www.lvwcc.org � info@lvwcc.org