Waukegan library's adult literacy program helps those most in need

Cheryl Wildemuth said many of the adults she works with can read only at a first- or second-grade level.

Some have high school diplomas and some do not. Some have been to jail. Most didn't see going to college as an option.

So Wildemuth sees herself as a cheerleader for students, who have not had much success, and didn't have someone who believed in them.

"They all want to work. They all have bigger aspirations for their life, which is bigger than what we would anticipate and is against all the stereotypes that you hear, that they're lazy. It's not the case," she said.

The Lake Villa resident and former special education teacher is among the tutors who volunteer their time to teach basic skills, such as reading, writing and math to adults across Lake County.

The adult literacy tutoring program, which is run by the Waukegan Public Library, supports those most in need and hardest to reach, said Josh Anderson, the program's coordinator.

With the recent absorption of Literacy Volunteers of Lake County into the Waukegan Public Library Foundation, the library has become the go-to organization to improve adult literacy. By helping adults to improve their basic literacy skills and, for some, to go on to further education, the goal is to help adults build their confidence so they have the skills to improve the future for themselves and their children.

"They just want the skills to get through their days to be able to function with their family and to eventually move forward and develop a career for themselves and help their kids with their school lives," Anderson said.

There may be a mom who can't keep up with the homework her children bring home, or someone who's retired after working his entire life and now wants to gain the skills so he can read a book.

"When a student comes to us, we don't say 'thanks for coming in,' take your phone number, information and put you in a class. We assess folks to find out what they really need," Anderson said.

The program serves adults for whom classroom learning is not accessible and those who can benefit from individualized instruction more than a classroom environment. Anderson said some students lack the skills or confidence to succeed in a classroom environment. The instruction is done by volunteer tutors who help them build a solid foundation and become comfortable in a structured learning environment.

Some learners also are not able to attend classes due to work schedules, a lack of child care or transportation difficulties. Tutors meet with them where and when they are able. Last year, tutors met their adult learners at 23 sites, most often at public libraries, Anderson said.

"We provide materials and resources, train the tutors and offer as much support as we can so the learners can meet their goals," he said.

In recent years, the program has featured 100 active tutors and more than 300 adult learners, officials said.

All tutors take part in a two-day training to prepare them for working with the student learners. But the most successful tutors must show empathy. It is that empathy that many adult learners remember.

"We hear a lot of people tell us nobody really cared or 'I never believed I could do it and you believed in me,'" Anderson said. "It sometimes is completely transformational for people to have the help, but also have someone who sits there and every time that tutor shows up and without saying a word say 'I believe in you. You are worth my time.'"

Wildemuth said what's important to remember is there is a difference teaching adults compared to working with children.

"They assume it's going to be like school, a teacher gives you material and you have to read everything," she said. "As normal readers, we don't read everything. You read what's interesting, and having to teach that is interesting to see," she said.

The need to help adults build basic literacy skills is growing, said Gale Graves, the library's education services and grants manager. Recent statistics show more than 43,000 Lake County adults lack a high school diploma or equivalent, and about 21,000 of them have less than a ninth grade education.

But as the need grows, funds are shrinking.

"I see this as a never ending challenge. We just have to figure out more strategies, more money, more techniques to support people," Graves said.

The program has been supported in the past by state funds, but no money was received this year. Graves explained the program is secure and will continue through the support of private funding and foundation funding, such as the $100,000 donation for literacy services the library received this year. The library also will continue to search for other sources of funding to continue the program's sustainability.

Tutor trainings are offered throughout the year. For information or to register for an orientation and training, contact Anderson at (847) 775-2549 or email janderson@waukeganpl.info.