It’s National Volunteers Week, and at Danville Area Community College the volunteers who help with ‘The Reader’s Route’ program were thanked with a free lunch Thursday.
Paulina Padjen serves as Coordinator for the adult literacy tutoring program and explains what it is….
{AUDIO: ‘’The Reader’s Route is a program that helps people who read below a ninth grade level – with their basic math, or with English speaking skills.’’}
And Padjen says the program could use more help….
{AUDIO: ‘’We’re looking for tutors, and we’re also looking for learners. So anyone who’s struggling out there that might need help or want to improve their reading, give us a call – 217-443-8899 – and we’ll get you set up. It’s all confidential,’’ said Padjen. ‘’It’s only one day a week – an hour a day. And it’s a great program.’’}
In addition to holding tutoring sessions on campus, Padjen says The Reader’s Route also works with churches and other organizations so some participants do not have to drive so far.
Patty Nelson of Potomac (shown here) has been a volunteer with The Reader’s Route program for more than ten years….
{AUDIO: ‘’I started out with one person…He didn’t know his alphabet, and I had to start with the basics. And he’s reading now, and that makes me feel so good.’’}
Nelson explained how she got involved in the program…
{AUDIO: ‘’I love to read, and it makes me sad to think that there’s people that can’t. And I got involved just because I wanted to help someone learn to read.’’}
The program provides 12 hours of free training to equip the volunteers, and tutor training is scheduled May 3rd – 6th at DACC’s Prairie Hall from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. Again, if you would like to become a volunteer and are 18 or older, call 217-443-8899 (during regular business hours at the college).
(**Note: Program Coordinator Paulina Padjen is on right in top photo with volunteer Patty Nelson.)
The program is made possible with a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a division of the Illinois Secretary of State’s office.
