ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAM PARTNERSHIPS
Dollar General Grant - This is a collaborative grant between the Youth Service Bureau of the Illinois Valley (YSB) and IVCC's Adult Education. This project combines English as a Second Language (ESL) with computer literacy instruction in DePue, LaSalle and Mendota. Combining English language proficiency with computer literacy not only enables adult ESL students to keep pace with their children's education but also allows them to more fully become a part of American life.
Streator Open Doors Even Start Program - The purpose of this project is to help break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy by improving the educational opportunities of Streator's low-income families through the integration of four components into a unified family literacy program for parents and children. These components include: early childhood education, adult literacy, parenting education and interactive literacy activities between parents and children. The Even Start partnership includes Streator Elementary School District and YSB. ESL and GED classes as well as Pre-K classes, childcare, transportation, parenting classes and parent-child together activities are all provided at the Streator Northlawn Jr. High location. The Even Start project is primarily funded through the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).
Family Literacy Project - Hola, Mendota is a collaborative effort on the part of YSB, IVCC's Adult Education program and Graves-Hume Public Library. Family literacy activities offered at Northbrook Elementary include: ESL classes, early childhood education, childcare, parent/child together activities, library services and computer literacy. This family literacy project is primarily funded by through a Secretary of State (SOS) Family Literacy Grant.
New American's Initiative - This is a statewide initiative to target legal permanent residents to become naturalized citizens. YSB partners with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights and IVCC's Adult Education program to provide comprehensive citizenship services, including legal counseling, citizenship classes and help with all aspects of citizenship application. Citizenship classes are currently offered in LaSalle and Mendota.
Salvation Army GED Class - IVCC's Adult Education program partners with the Ottawa Salvation Army to offer an ABE/GED class that includes free childcare at the Salvation Army site. Instruction and childcare are both funded through the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB).