About Us

About the Program

Established in 1972, Literacy DuPage, formerly known as Literacy Volunteers of DuPage, is a nonprofit, community-based organization. Our mission is to help adult learners achieve sufficient skills in English literacy so they may function independently in our communities. The organization serves over 30 communities in DuPage County.

Literacy DuPage trains volunteer tutors to provide customized, learner-centered English language instruction. Tutoring occurs in one-on-one or small group settings at a mutually convenient time and location for both tutors and students. Materials and techniques are provided to allow the tutor to guide the learner toward achievement of personal goals. Tutors incorporate everyday materials such as a newspaper, map, or job application into their lessons.

In addition to tutoring, Literacy DuPage offers five English Conversation Groups to ESL students of all levels, at no charge. These are conducted in Bensenville, Bloomingdale, Darien, Lisle, and Naperville. Please contact us for more information about this supplemental English practice opportunity.

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Our Mission

Our mission is to provide accessible and customized tutoring in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English to help adults function independently.

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Our Vision

Our vision is that we will be recognized as a leading provider of customized English literacy skills that will help transform the lives of adult learners and impact future generations.

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Who's Who at Literacy DuPage?

Literacy DuPage is comprised of a board of directors, staff and office volunteers, and approximately 325 volunteer tutors who serve over 500 adult students.

Board of Directors
Susan Craighead
Jean Demas
Michael Huseman	Secretary
Zhijiang (John) Li	Student Ambassador
Rick Lochner	Vice President
Thomas McGlinch	President
James McLean
Roberta Ostis
Joseph Sarnicki	Treasurer
Kas Seerla
Staff
Tana Tatnall	Executive Director	ttatnall@literacydupage.org
Lisa Thackeray	Program Manager	lthackeray@literacydupage.org
Lynn Robertson	Community Outreach Coordinator	lrobertson@literacydupage.org
Bonnie Oulman	Student Intake	boulman@literacydupage.org
Eileen Hall	Office Assistant	ehall@literacydupage.org
Lori Connor Barbara Hiner Beth Johnson Lisa Lam RoseMary Persiani Betsy Ritzel Pat Steck Nancy Wood	Office Volunteers
Michelle Balée Kathy Conrad Barrie Mason Lisa Thackeray	Tutor Trainers
Kathy Conrad Jane Cox Sandy Johnson Jean Milz Judy Mouilleseaux Mark Munoz Cindy Schwartz Gretchen Wasniewski	English Conversation Group Leaders
Kathy Conrad	Professional Services Instructor

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Funding

Financial support for Literacy DuPage comes from foundations, service clubs, churches, corporations, and individuals, and includes grants from the Bersted Foundation, Chicago Tribune Charities, Community Memorial Foundation, Naperville United Way, RR Donnelley, Ronald McDaniel Foundation, Secretary of State Literacy Office, and United Way of DuPage Area.

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Professional Services

Literacy DuPage provides fee-based services of:

Workforce Education
Professional instructors conduct customized classes for employee learners at the work site.

Tutor training for other organizations
Tutor trainers conduct volunteer training workshops based on the specific needs of an agency and its clients.

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National Affiliation

Literacy DuPage is an accredited affiliate of ProLiteracy Worldwide, based in Syracuse, New York. ProLiteracy Worldwide is the new organization formed from the merger of Literacy Volunteers of America and Laubach Literacy International. Contact the national organization at www.proliteracy.org.

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