SOUTH HOLLAND, IL – South Suburban College (SSC) is seeking participants for the Adult Volunteer Literacy (AVL) Tutoring Program to educate adults who are unable to read and experience difficulty with daily activities, including competing in today’s job market. The program is structured to train volunteers to become one-on-one tutors for instruction in basic literacy skills, including the development of phonetic reading and whole language experiences, combined with effective communication skills.

Community members are welcome to volunteer as tutors and encourage others to take advantage of this free professional development opportunity. Once certified, the SSC volunteer literacy tutors visit adult learners at locations in or near their neighborhoods. Tutoring is flexibly scheduled based on the availability of tutors, learners, and tutoring sites.

Established tutoring sites currently include Acorn Public Library, Oak Forest; Glenwood-Lynwood Library; Harvey Public Library; Phoenix Public Library; Calumet City Public Library; Grande Prairie Library, Hazel Crest; Homewood Public Library; South Holland Public Library; South Suburban College Main Campus Library, South Holland; South Suburban College Oak Forest Center Library, Oak Forest; Lansing Public Library; Dolton Public Library; Riverdale Public Library; Blue Island Public Library; Dixmoor Public Library; Tinley Park Public Library; Markham Public Library; Midlothian Public Library; and Thornton Public Library.

The SSC Office of Adult Education administers the AVL Tutoring Program in addition to High School Equivalency (HSE), English as a Second Language (ESL), and Adult Basic Education (ABE). These opportunities are made possible by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library (ISL), a division of the Office of the Secretary of State, using state funds designated for literacy.

Training will take place at the South Suburban College Main Campus in South Holland, IL on Tuesdays and Thursdays from May 2 through May 18, 2023, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. This 12-hour program culminates with literacy training certification. Tutors will continue to receive free professional development services throughout this program. Successful tutors are also eligible for letters of support or recommendations for jobs, scholarships, educational opportunities, and more.

For additional information, or to register, please contact David Stephens, Adult Literacy Grants Manager, at (708) 596-2000, ext. 2558, or email DStephens@ssc.edu.