Kudos to Glen Ellyn 'OWLS' program

Each year dozens of refugees and their families flood into Glen Ellyn with little knowledge of American customs. Some children have not been given the privilege of an education; others still have never laid eyes on a book. However, the Opening the World through Literacy (OWLS) volunteer-based program in Glen Ellyn has devoted itself to helping these refugee students further integrate into American society.

Refugees are able to attend this program five days a week to receive help on their homework and work on basic educational skills. The club plans field trips and other activities of the sort. The children that attend OWLS understand the rare opportunity that has been given to them. They are not only gaining important educational skills, but they are laying the foundation for the rest of their life. Without the OWLS program, many of these refugees would be lost in school and it would eventually have severe effects later in life.

Perhaps the most impressive part of OWLS is the way it started. The founder, Marilyn Duszynski, did not have the proper funds that would allow her to begin the program. Instead, driven by her intense love for the children, they would hold the club at the local library or different restaurants. Eventually she was able to find a location to start the club, the St. Petronille Church basement. OWLS continues to prosper with limited space and volunteers because of the devotion of Duszynski.

The OWLS program deserves more credit and publicity than it currently receives, perhaps because Duszynski does not wish to publicly profit from her hard work. Kudos to Duszynski and her helpful band of volunteers for effectively helping save the lives of deserving refugees.

Nicholas Petro

Glen Ellyn