Illinois Literacy

              LITERACY
There are many ways to measure success. For
some it is better pay. For others it is a promotion.
For many it's simply becoming more confident on
the job or in everyday life. For many Illinois
workers, however, in order to accomplish these
goals they must be able to communicate in English.
This is where the Secretary of State Workplace
Skills Enhancement Grant Program comes in. These
grants provide employees of participating
businesses the opportunity to take English classes
at work, setting them up for success on the job as
well as other areas of their lives.
Renaissance Hotel, Oak Brook
When Peter Tilecky came to the Renaissance, he
worked in the Housekeeping Department as a
general cleaner. His English skills were good, but
not good enough to cross-train for other
positions. He wanted more hours but in order to
get more he had to improve his English skills.
The Renaissance Hotel has partnered with The
Center: Resources for Teaching and Learning in
providing English as a Second Language classes
to its employees. Peter
began participating in
the classes as soon as
he was hired. He
practiced speaking with
the guests and became
more confident as the
classes progressed. He
eventually was asked
to work as a bellman, where he had to answer
the phone and drive guests to places in the area.
He now works as a banquet server and helps out
as a concierge.
Due to Peter's increased salary, he was able to
bring his wife and sons to America from
Slovakia. He became a U.S. citizen in 2004 and
was named Associate of the Month in 2005.
Following are statements from other students in
the ESL class at the Renaissance:
• Teresa Colin, a coffee service attendant, said
the last time she went for a teacher
conference the teacher told her that she did
not need a translator any more.
• Cristina Alonso, a lobby porter, said people
would ask her questions and she was often
confused. Now she understands them better
and can help them.
• Adriana Cervantes, another coffee service
attendant, recently had surgery and had to call
someone about her short-term disability. At
first she was afraid, but she said that the
woman understood her and she understood
what the woman said to her on the phone.
• Heriberta Abarca, a line cook, said that when
she came here everything was so difficult.
She feels stronger now because she
understands what people are saying and she
can help her children with their homework.
She also can communicate better with her co-workers
and managers.
I am consistently impressed at the accomplishments of the participants in the
Workplace Skills Enhancement Grant Program. The program offers literacy instruction
at business sites throughout the state, enabling employees to access education at
work. Many businesses provide these services on paid time. What an incentive! This
issue highlights employees who have taken advantage of this program and enhanced
both their work and everyday lives as a result.
Also in this issue are highlights from last November's Family Reading Night, in which families
took part in reading activities at schools, literacy programs and libraries across the state. From
pajama parties to quilt making to reading Chinese riddles converted to English, these innovative
programs are an example of what's possible in the world of family literacy programming.
Jesse White
Secretary of State & State Librarian
The Illinois Literacy newsletter is available at www.cyberdriveillinois.com
Jesse White
Secretary of State
& State Librarian
ILLINOIS
SPRING
2006
Workplace projects enrich the lives of Illinois workers
Peter Tilecky (cont. on page 2)