Literacy DuPage

Literacy DuPage provides free, customized English tutoring to help adult learners reach their life skill goals. When learners improve their literacy skills, they can take control of their lives, support themselves and their families, and participate in their community.

Low literacy is defined as being unable to read, write, speak, compare and contrast, paraphrase, and make low-level inferences. All skills necessary to navigate life and complete daily tasks.

According to the 2022 American Community Survey, the population in DuPage County includes:

• 53,162  adults who do not have a high school diploma.
• 70,756 residents living in poverty (2024 Federal poverty threshold for a family
  of four is $31,200).
• 250,805  residents that speak a language other than English at home and 87,614
  speak English ‘less than well’.
• Additionally, children of parents with low literacy levels have a 72% chance of achieving only the lowest level of literacy when they become adults, creating a cycle of illiteracy and poverty that can span generations.

Literacy DuPage works with low-income adults in DuPage County who read below the ninth-grade level or speak English at a beginning level to improve their basic reading, writing, or English language proficiency and reach their life skill goals.

Literacy DuPage recruits, trains, and supports tutors to provide tailored instruction to learners. New tutors complete the required 15-hour pre-service training before beginning lessons with their students. Tutors plan individualized sessions that are structured based on the life skills goals of the learner.

You are just three steps from a lifechanging volunteer opportunity!

1. Attend a 45-minute Meet & Greet session.
2. Complete 15 hours of training (11 hours self-paced and online).
3. Meet with your learner up to 2 hours a week. No teaching or foreign language experience needed!

Learn more and register for a Meet and Greet Zoom Session at https://www.literacydupage.org/volunteer.