Volunteers needed for D214 Community Ed's Read to Learn program, training sked'd for August 22-23

Volunteers are needed this fall for District 214 Community Education's Read to Learn program. Designed to improve the quality of life in the Northwest suburbs by raising the level of literacy among adults, volunteers will be trained in one-to-one tutoring of adult students to improve their reading abilities and basic skills.

Those interested must complete an online application which may be accessed at www.ced214.org/readtolearn before attending the volunteer training. The one-day training is scheduled on August 22 or August 23, from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., at Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights.

Classes are free and located in 13 convenient locations throughout the Northwest suburbs in schools, libraries, churches, and businesses. Site supervisors, who are professional adult educators, will direct the assessment and evaluation of the students, plan individualized lessons, provide instructional materials, and supervise tutors.

"It's a wonderful program that changes lives," Read to Learn Site Supervisor Roberta Pennett said. "As tutors, it is nice to have success stories and know that we are helping change people's lives."

District 214 Community Education's Read to Learn program started in January 1985 with eight students. Since then, over 10,000 adult learners have been tutored and more than 5,500 volunteer tutors have been trained.

"What we are doing in Read to Learn is transforming lives," Adult Education & Family Literacy Manager Rhonda Serafin said. "Our tutors are doing their share in changing the literacy landscape in the country and helping Americans find better jobs."

With 30 million adults who cannot read better than the average 3rd grader in the U.S. today, volunteers are crucial to the continued success of the Read to Learn program. For more information or questions, please call District 214 Community Education at 847-718-7724 or visit the "volunteer" page at www.ced214.org/readtolearn.