Adult literacy education programs often make it possible for adults who never completed their education to return to school. Day and evening tutoring sessions are available at ROE St. Clair County and are designed to work around schedules where adults may be juggling one or more jobs, possibly working evening and weekend hours, or meeting family obligations.  A friendly, encouraging one-on-one environment is important to their learning success and enjoyment.  Here are a few success stories from ROE:

• A 21-year-old girl needing assistance and guidance in becoming an adult is living on her own and needs to find a job to support herself.  She and her tutor meet regularly to work on her reading skills and discuss how to plan for her future.
• A 45 year-old man, struggling with many disabilities and trying to make ends meet to support his wife and children, including an infant daughter, meets twice a week with his tutor.  Although his learning capacity is somewhat limited, he is making progress, has become more independent and is an excellent role model for his children.
• Two different English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) students have made phenomenal success.  One opened his own restaurant and the other has become a licensed massage therapist after many months of working with their tutors.
• With an influx of Chinese families into the area, tutoring Chinese students has become a major new initiative.  One couple with a young son opened a Chinese restaurant.  They have struggled to learn English and believe their failure to speak enough English is hurting their restaurant business.  Their tutor has been doing community and real-life learning experiences with them.  They have become more confident in their business and in greeting and serving their customers.  They are also learning words and skills to help them speak to their child’s teachers. 
• Another Chinese student could read but not speak English.  She is encouraging other friends to join the program at ROE St. Clair.  Reaching out to the ESL community has broadened and improved the lives of the newly established ESL population.

Find out more about the ISL Adult Literacy Grant Program.