About Us
Literacy DuPage is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping adults in and around DuPage County build essential English and literacy skills through free, personalized tutoring. Since 1972, we have focused on meeting learners where they are—academically, logistically, and personally—so they can achieve meaningful life goals and participate fully in their families, workplaces, and communities.
Our work is rooted in the belief that literacy is more than an academic skill. It is a pathway to independence, opportunity, and long-term stability.
Why Adult Literacy Matters
When adults improve their literacy skills, the benefits extend far beyond the individual. Strong literacy is linked to higher earning potential, improved health outcomes, greater job stability, and increased civic participation. Families are stronger, children are better supported in school, and communities thrive.
In DuPage County, the need remains significant. According to the 2023 American Community Survey:
54,309 adults do not have a high school diploma
88,836 individuals speak English “less than well”
70,756 residents live below the poverty threshold
Low literacy also impacts future generations. Children of parents with low literacy skills have a 72% chance of achieving only the lowest level of literacy themselves, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and limited opportunity.
What Low Literacy Looks Like in Daily Life
Low literacy affects nearly every aspect of daily living. Adults with limited English or reading skills may struggle to:
Communicate with healthcare providers, understand prescriptions, or complete medical forms
Support their children’s education by reading to them, helping with homework, or communicating with teachers
Apply for jobs, advance at work, or understand workplace expectations
Navigate digital systems for email, appointments, banking, or education
Manage finances, housing paperwork, or consumer contracts
Participate fully in community life, from obtaining a library card to becoming a citizen
Improving literacy gives adults the tools they need to navigate these challenges with confidence and independence.
How Our Programs Work
Customized One-to-One Tutoring
Our core program provides free, customized, one-to-one tutoring tailored to each learner’s goals. At the start of the program, learners work with staff to identify personal life-skill objectives—such as improving workplace communication, navigating healthcare, or supporting their children’s education. These goals guide individualized lesson plans developed by trained volunteer tutors.
Key program features include:
Flexible scheduling with tutor/learner pairs meeting up to two hours per week
Sessions held at public libraries or other convenient community locations
Open entry and exit throughout the year
Progress measured every 35 instructional hours using standardized assessments and documented goal achievement
Ongoing goal-setting as learners advance
Learners typically participate for an average of 18 months, continuing until their goals are met or they achieve a high level of proficiency and graduate from the program.
Tutor Training and Support
Literacy DuPage recruits, trains, and supports volunteers to ensure high-quality instruction. All new tutors complete a required 15-hour pre-service training before being matched with a learner. Tutors receive ongoing guidance and resources to support learner-centered, effective instruction.
Conversation Groups
Conversation Groups provide adult ESL learners with intermediate and advanced skills a welcoming space to practice speaking and listening in English. In a relaxed, supportive environment, participants build fluency, confidence, and connections with peers.
These groups:
Support real-life communication skills
Foster community and belonging
Take place in person or virtually via Zoom
Are free and open to participants
Conversation Groups complement one-to-one tutoring and help learners strengthen their voices in everyday life.
Impact
Each year, approximately 215 trained volunteers provide one-to-one, learner-centered tutoring to more than 275 adults.
Learners develop skills that help them:
Read, write, speak, and understand English
Navigate healthcare and public systems
Support their children’s education
Improve employment opportunities
Manage daily tasks with confidence
Mission
Help DuPage County adults achieve their life goals through accessible and customized tutoring that improves their English-language speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills.
Vision
We envision a world of adults, families, and communities empowered through literacy.
Strategic Plan
January 1, 2022–December 30, 2025 strategic plan.
History
Literacy DuPage was founded in 1972 by two Wheaton residents, Thelma McPherson and Joanna Grinter, friends from Gary Methodist Church and both former teachers. Thelma had welcomed a Southeast Asian refugee into her home and asked Joanna to provide her with English lessons. Their interest in helping additional immigrants grew as they discovered the great need for foreign-born residents to learn English. At that time, there was an influx of East and Southeast Asian refugees to the area, primarily from Korea, Cambodia, and Vietnam. In seeking resources, Thelma learned of Literacy Volunteers of America in New York state, which led to initiating the DuPage County affiliate. In addition to the immigrant population, they also worked with illiterate, native speakers of English. Literacy DuPage served 39 students with 22 tutors during its first year. The organization was granted non-profit 501(c)(3) status in 1992.