I-READ Adult Literacy Program

Changing Lives Through Learning 

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Program Background  

I-READ (Illinois - Reading Education for Adult Development) is headquartered at Illinois Valley Community College, Oglesby, Illinois. It is funded by the Illinois Literacy Grant Program through the Secretary of State’s office. The objective is to meet the literacy needs of a target population through quality teaching and learning opportunities.

The I-READ program focuses on recruitment and volunteer training to provide one-on-one tutoring to adults at area libraries or in the adult learning labs located throughout the IVCC district.

Interested?...(Volunteer Job Description) but still not sure this program is for you?  Mark your calendar and attend an orientation session designed to equip you with the information to decide.

Volunteer Training Information:  

Volunteers must complete training, which consists of an orientation, training sessions and observation, before being paired with learners. Training sessions are conducted in the spring, summer and fall with individualized training also available. Continuing staff development is offered throughout the year.

Session 1: Orientation 
Tuesday, February 2, 6-9 p.m. or Thursday, February 4, 1:30-4:30 p.m.

 Evening Training Sessions - 6-9 p.m.
Session 2:  Tuesday, Feb. 9
Session 3:  Tuesday, Feb. 16
Session 4:  Tuesday, Feb. 23
Plus, 3 hours of classroom observation scheduled at your convenience.

Afternoon Training Sessions - 1:30-4:30 p.m
Session 2:  Thursday, Feb. 11
Session 3:  Thursday, Feb. 18
Session 4:  Thursday, Feb. 25
Plus, 3 hours of classroom observation scheduled at your convenience.

       Are you interested in completing Volunteer Tutor Training online - click here?         

 
Literacy Volunteer Job Description

Objective:

To teach reading, math or English language skills on a one-on-one basis or in a lab setting to adult learners who are eligible for the I-READ program

Opportunities:

Help adult learners acquire reading, computing or English language skills
Gain satisfaction from helping others
Use skills and talents
Meet interesting people
Become involved in the community
Learn from field experience
Select your time and place for tutoring assignments
Explore a new career

Qualifications:

Ability to teach, but no college degree or teaching experience needed
Good interpersonal skills
Effective communication skills
Patience, understanding and respect for adult learners
Age 18 or older
IVCC district resident

Responsibilities:

Complete 15 hours of tutor training offered by the I-READ Adult Literacy Program
Provide instruction to adult learners
Provide a comfortable setting for learning
Respect adult learners' rights to confidentiality
Submit a monthly tutor report
Tutoring sites include local libraries and:

DePue
LaSalle
Marseilles
Mendota
Oglesby
Ottawa
Princeton
Streator

Once trained, volunteers are matched with learners and sessions are established for a minimum of once a week for at least one hour. 

Completion of training does not guarantee placement.

Still not convinced the I-READ Adult Literacy program is for you?  Click on INFORMATION PACKET and we will be more than happy to send you more information regarding our great team of volunteers and the work they do.  Information Packet 

For additional questions or more information, call program manager, Angela Dunlap at: 815-224-0372 or literacy specialist, Chris Warren at 815-224-0345.

Literacy Resources:

http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/who_we_are/literacy/home.html
Secretary of State Literacy office

http://www.thecenterweb.org/alrc/index.html
1-800-321-9511 - The Illinois Literacy Hotline
A state wide referral center for adult learners and volunteers

http://literacynetwork.verizon.org/Free-Online-Courses.21.0.html 
Thinkfinity Network - Free online courses for tutors

http://literacy.kent.edu/illinois/
Literacy Information and Communication System