Illinois Literacy

              Secretary of State Jesse White recently award-ed
nearly $6.4 million to 170 literacy projects in
Illinois. Following is a breakdown of the funding
along with personal success stories resulting
from literacy projects funded last year.
ADULT VOLUNTEER LITERACY – More than
$4.2 million was awarded to 85 programs to
provide training for volunteers who tutor adults
over age 16 in basic reading, math, writing or
language skills.
De La Salle/Tolton Center, Chicago
At age 16, Roshonda came to De La Salle/Tolton
Center. She had dropped out of school in the sev-enth
grade. Her reading level was at the fourth-grade
level and she displayed a “you can’t teach
me” attitude and a confrontational manner.
When Roshonda realized that she was unable to
upset her tutor and that he was there for her
despite her ways, a gradual transformation began.
In her first year, Roshonda’s reading level
increased by three years. She responded favor-ably
to hearing that she was a smart person, as
she had heard quite the opposite growing up.
She continued at Tolton to improve her skills
during her second year and the following sum-mer,
not missing a day. She took the GED test
and passed with high scores.
Roshonda continued to work with the Tolton
staff and De La Salle’s guidance office to apply
for a nursing program. She also volunteered in
the Tolton office and as a tutor to lower-level
students. The old Roshonda was no longer
around. Both her appearance and her attitude
were that of a young woman with a promising
future. Roshonda received a Secretary of State
Spotlight on Achievement award in May. Her
tutor, Bob Mathis (below), also was named a
Spotlight on Service award winner.
(continued on p. 2)
The National Commission on Adult Literacy released a report in June called “Reach Higher,
AMERICA.” The report calls for a dramatically revamped service system with the capacity
to effectively serve 20 million adults annually by the year 2020. The report recommends
that states emphasize groups most in need of service.
This issue of Illinois Literacy illustrates how literacy programs in the state are addressing
the needs of some of those 20 million adults and effectively targeting various demograph-ic
groups in need of services. State grants were recently awarded to help local literacy programs reach out
to adults and families, and a new program in Chicago targets the Hispanic community. Without dedicated
volunteers and literacy advocates, these programs would not be the success stories they are today. Their
work and commitment has allowed adult learners like Roshonda (see story below) and countless others to
transcend above all odds to pursue their educational goals and make a better life for themselves and their
children.
I assure you of my continued commitment to making literacy a priority in Illinois. Though there are many
success stories, we must keep “reaching higher” in an effort to bring literacy to every region in the state
and give individuals and families hope for a brighter future.
Jesse White
Secretary of State & State Librarian
The Illinois Literacy newsletter is available at www.cyberdriveillinois.com.
Jesse White
Secretary of State
& State Librarian
ILLINOLIS ITERACY
Secretary White awards $6.4 million to literacy programs
FALL
2008
Secretary of State Jesse White and Sue Montalvo, director of
the Illinois First Amendment Center, congratulate volunteer
tutor Robert “Bob” Mathis at the Spotlight on Achievement
and Service Awards ceremony. A story about Bob is on page 2.