Annual Appeal
Every day, adults in DuPage County face challenges that many of us take for granted. Imagine not being able to shop at the grocery store, talk with your child’s teacher, make a doctor’s appointment, or read the instructions on a medicine bottle.
The need in our community is significant. According to the 2023 American Community Survey, DuPage County includes:
54,309 adults who do not have a high school diploma.
88,836 individuals who speak English “less than well”.
When adults improve their English, their lives change. They can plan for the future, help their families, and take part in the community.
Your gift will provide free, one-on-one English tutoring for adult learners. This support helps them learn important skills for work, school, health, and daily life.
Many learners go on to reach big goals. One man in our program studied hard with his tutor. He passed the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and GRE. He went to graduate school at the University of Illinois Chicago. Today, he is an architect who has designed buildings around the world.
Literacy also affects families. Children of parents with low literacy levels have a 72% chance of achieving only the lowest level of literacy as adults. This can continue for generations.
Another learner joined our program in 2008 when she had three young children. Her goals were to talk with her children’s teachers, get a driver’s license, and find a job. She now works as a CNA and all three of her children, who are now adults, finished college and have good careers.
Improving literacy helps everyone. It lowers unemployment, improves health, and reduces the need for public assistance.
Your donation today will help more learners gain the skills they need to thrive.
Thank you for your generosity,
Kristin L. Chmiel,
Executive Director
“Literacy DuPage changed my life. Before the program, I could not go outside alone. My husband and son always translated for me. Now I feel confident. I can go outside by myself. I can take my children to the doctor. I still need to learn more, but I am very thankful for my new freedom.”
You will make a difference!
$25 - Flashcards for one learner
$50 - Books for one learner
$100 - Resources for Peer Mentoring Groups
$250 - Support for one tutor and learner pair
$500 - Chromebooks for digital literacy programs
$1,000 - Software licenses and subscriptions for tutor training
$2,500 - Professional development for staff and tutors
$5,000 - Tutor and learner recruitment expenses
These examples show how your donation may be used. Unrestricted gifts will fund any expenses supporting our mission.