Aurora Women’s Empowerment Foundation Makes Grant Possible
Learner Soyoung and Tutor Kim
AURORA, IL, USA, January 18, 2024. The Aurora Women’s Empowerment Foundation—an organization which seeks to reimagine female empowerment through supporting programs offered by Aurora-area nonprofits—has awarded a grant to Literacy DuPage to help support its “Generating Opportunities for Women through Adult Literacy Tutoring” program.
“There is a large group of women living in Aurora with zip codes in DuPage County who will benefit from Literacy DuPage’s life-changing program,” said Amy Baudouin, Board Chair, Aurora Women’s Empowerment Foundation (AWEF). “It is well documented that linguistic isolation leads to social isolation, poverty, limited employment opportunities, and inadequate access to healthcare. Literacy DuPage has a long and strong track record of addressing these issues and we are honored to support their mission.”
Literacy DuPage was founded in 1972 by Thelma McPherson and JoAnne Grinter and granted nonprofit 501(c)(3) status in 1992. The mission of Literacy DuPage is to help DuPage County adults achieve their life skills goals through accessible and customized tutoring that improves their English language speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills.
Amy Baudouin, Board Chair
Becky Harris
“Our goal is to reach out and embrace more women in the Aurora area, who need English acquisition assistance,” said Becky Harris, VP, Board of Directors at Literacy DuPage. “Learning the language removes many barriers and allows women to achieve independence, self-sufficiency, and greater success, including job advancement.”
Literacy DuPage’s program offers learners access to a variety of learning experiences at no charge. It also offers its tutors practical guidance and support to enhance their tutoring skills and the results they help their students achieve. Tutoring sessions are held at local libraries or other public locations convenient for the learners.
A sampling of aspirations shared by female learners include obtaining and retaining jobs, increasing financial health literacy, interacting with co-workers and children’s teachers, navigating the healthcare system, contributing to the community, and reading to their children in English. Concrete lessons, such as opening a bank account, completing a job application, or reading a prescription label are incorporated during instructional time.
Since receiving the grant from AWEF, Literacy DuPage has begun work with 13 new learners who live in Aurora zip codes within DuPage County. They have also attracted many new tutors. Said Becky Harris “Each year, Literacy DuPage trains hundreds of volunteer tutors. Then we connect them with adult learners whose goals require learning to understand, speak, read, or write English. It’s a highly personalized approach that not only gets results but also builds relationships that strengthen our community.”
Aurora leaders are encouraged to share DuPage Literacy services with others in their community. To learn more, please call or text 331-472-7160 or e-mail info@literacydupage.org. New learners can also complete a simple registration request here.
Lastly, those interested in becoming a volunteer Literacy DuPage tutor can start their rewarding journey here! Enjoy these inspiring stories about Literacy DuPage tutors and learners.