Expand the volunteer base of community and faith-based volunteer literacy programs and increase services being offered to low literate and limited English-speaking adults in Illinois communities and teens residing in the Illinois Youth Centers.
Service Activities
Representative tasks:
• serve as a one-to-one and/or small group tutor for adults and out-of-school teens;
• maintain records of tutoring sessions, including materials used, lessons reviewed, progress made;
• recruit and/or assist in recruiting at least 15 individuals to be volunteers tutors;
• may conduct one-to-one and group orientations for new volunteers;
• may conduct basic skills and literacy assessments for adult learners;
• may assist in the matching of tutors and students;
• may provide on-going communication and support to volunteers, i.e., organizing initial and in-service training and tutor exchanges, collecting data, etc. as requested;
• may plan and implement tutor recognition activities (newsletters, awards, events);
• prepare and submit monthly program reports and other reports as requested by the host site or VOCAL staff;
• may assist with employment-related services such as resume development, job club, job search, job placement and/or job/career counseling;
• attend quarterly member meetings (this will entail travel for downstate members);
• participate in Days of Service as required or requested;
• may assist with resource development activities and special events;
• may conduct initial and in-service tutor training; and,
• other tasks as assigned.
Community Need Addressed
As Literacy Specialists, AmeriCorps members provide increased economic and educational opportunities to two underserved populations - low literate economically disadvantaged adults residing in various communities in the greater Chicago area and teens incarcerated in the Illinois Youth Centers. Members recruit volunteers, serve low literate economically disadvantaged adults through one-to-one, small group classroom instruction in basic literacy skills, ESL, or GED prepartion and provide job readiness assistance. Among the incarcerated youth , members provide individualized tutorial instruction in math, reading and GED preparation.
Position Outcomes
Through the members and the volunteers they recruit, it is anticipated that 1400 low literate economically disadvantaged adults will receive one-to-one, small group or classroom instruction in basic literacy skills, ESL, or GED preparation and another 250 will receive job search assistance. Among the incarcerated youth , 300 will receive individualized tutorial instruction in math, reading and GED preparation.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance, Training
Education Benefits
College Degree
Skills you will gain
Member development for personal and career growth, leadership development, and career preparation and counseling.
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job, Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization