Elgin moms petitioning Rauner to restore funds for literacy program

A group of moms has been gathering signatures on a petition to reinstate funding for the family literacy program offered by the YWCA Elgin.

The moms, all Latina immigrants, say the program has yielded tremendous benefits for them and their children, most of them born in the United States. Classes would have started Monday, but funding ended effective July 1 due to the budget stalemate in Springfield.

Nisela Bermudez, who spearheaded the initiative, said she's been pleasantly surprised by how many people want to support the program. The moms plan to present the petition, which has about 250 signatures, next week to Elgin legislators Anna Moeller and Michael Noland, and mail it to Gov. Bruce Rauner and Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti, she said.

"Thanks to the classes, I've learned to be a better mother," Bermudez said. "They teach you things you can use at home that you need to have a better family. If you have better families, you have a better community. And if you have a better community, you have a better country."

The family literacy program is part of the YWCA's English as a Second Language for adults program, which serves about 500 students per year; of those, about 60 students also take part in the family literacy program, which includes their children up to preschool age.

The cost of the program, including family literacy, is about $550,000 per year, said Felicia King said, chief operating officer for the YWCA Elgin. Funding mainly comes through the Illinois Community College Board. A total of 16 ESL teachers were laid off this summer, and another 10 or so jobs are being lost due to budget cuts, she added.

Rauner spokeswoman Catherine Kelly said this highlights the need for the General Assembly to pass a balanced budget. "Gov. Rauner's reforms will help free up resources within state government to help fund programs," she said.

Moeller and Noland, however, blamed Rauner. "Unfortunately, the governor has not been focused on solving the budget deficit, and has not supported temporary funding for many social programs and services," Moeller said.

Noland agreed. "(The moms) are preaching to the choir if they come to (Anna Moeller and me)," he said. "The governor has to release the money, and Republicans have to encourage him to do more."

Literacy program participants are committed to improving their lives, said Rose Diaz, adult education and family literacy student success director for the YWCA.

"A lot of them are working factory jobs, paying taxes, raising children, and they still can make our classes, because they want to better themselves and their children's future," Diaz said. "The students here are remarkable, and they are so appreciative."

Participant Miriam Hernandez said she didn't always speak English, and made such progress that four months ago she got a job in customer service at a local grocery store. Her 2½-year-old daughter is becoming bilingual and has learned to enjoy reading, she said.

"I can see the difference between her and the kids who don't come to the program," she said. "It's a shame the program is closing because the governor won't pass the budget."