Volunteers sought for literacy program
By Ty Windy
IV Leader Staff
IVCC’s I-Read program is reaching out to adults and you
can be part of the action. IVCC’s I-Read program is designed to educate adult
learners that are illiterate to further their education, rather it be to earn
there GED or even better their life.
The I-Read program, which was started in 1986, is a program
that is funded by the state of Illinois and also by IVCC. The program is in
partnership with local libraries that allows one on one educating of illiterate
adult learners. According to Angela Dunlap, a prospect student must complete a
literacy test that tests ability of reading and mathematics. Once the test is
completed, the test is evaluated for the needs of the student and also to see if
they qualify for the program. The program offers free assistance to people who
have a reading level lower than the eighth grade.
After the students are qualified for the test, then the Adult
Learning Center at IVCC will pair up the student with a volunteer that is
available at the same time and in the same area.
“The biggest challenge the I-Read program encounters with
adult learners is the pairing a student and a volunteer.” Dunlap stated. “We try
to pair up students and volunteers that are available at the same time but also
live in the same area.”
The I-Read program is looking for more volunteers to
accommodate the needs of more future students. According to the I-Read website,
four qualifications are needed to become a volunteer; High school graduate or
GED, 18 years old or older, an IVCC district resident, and most importantly
patience, understanding, and respect for adult learners. Along with the four
basic qualifications, a volunteer must endure 15 hours of training and
orientation sessions, which is mandated by the state, before being paired with a
student.
Cynthia Schultz, a mathematics teacher at IVCC, is a current
volunteer for the I-Read program. She explained her reasons for participating as
a volunteer as a way to reach out to the community.
“The student’s stories are an inspiration to get the students
out of their situations.” Schultz stated.
Many student volunteers are wanted to help reach out against
the fight of illiteracy and you can help. Interested students can contact Dunlap
or visit the Adult Learning Program link on IVCC’s Web site.
I-READ sponsors book fair
The Illinois Valley Community College I-READ Adult
Literacy Program will sponsor a Books Are Fun Book Sale Tuesday, April 11 in the
IVCC main lobby.
The book fair will be 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and will benefit the
I-READ program, which serves students learning English as a second language and
adult learners who assess below a ninth grade level in reading or math. The
program trains volunteer tutors and then matches them with adult learners
wanting to improve their English, math or reading skills.
For information, contact Angela Dunlap, I-READ program
manager, at 224-0372 or angie_dunlap@ivcc.edu.