IVCC Adult Literacy Program Recognizes Volunteers
Illinois Valley Community College’s I-READ Adult Literacy Program volunteer tutors attended a time-related workshop and volunteer appreciation luncheon April 25 at the Uptown Grill in LaSalle.
The workshop included a presentation by Illinois Valley Community College Health and Wellness Professor Julie Sherbeyn called "Time-out to Tune In." Tutors learned stress management techniques for learning and for life. Sherbeyn discussed the effects of stress on the body and then demonstrated some stretching exercises that tutors can do with adult learners to ease some of the stress felt during the learning process.
Tutors then participated in the "It’s About Learning; It’s About Time" presentation by I-READ program manager Angela Dunlap. During this portion of the morning, volunteer tutors discovered their own learning styles and discussed the meaning of time. The final activity of the morning asked volunteer tutors to reflect on how the time they give to adult learners benefits learners and the community.
One tutor wrote, "The time given to learners increases their knowledge and self-confidence in themselves. This helps the learner to bring this knowledge and growing confidence back into their communities."
Another volunteer added, "I feel that I have reached out into my community and touched a fellow member and in this time I feel that I have enriched her life."
Mary Gross, director of IVCC’s Adult Education Department, recognized the volunteers for their commitment to the community and the I-READ program. Each tutor then received a certificate and gift in appreciation for his or her volunteer service to the I-READ Adult Literacy Program.
The I-READ program serves adult learners who want to improve their reading, math or English language skills. For information on becoming a volunteer tutor or on receiving I-READ’s services, call Dunlap at 815.224.0372 or log on www.ivcc.edu/adulted/LITERACY/i-read.html