AURORA, Ill., July 30, 2020–After a hiatus since March due to the pandemic, Aurora’s nonprofit Dominican Literacy Center will resume English tutoring and citizenship classes in September.

Sister Kathleen Ryan, center director, said new tutoring students will be recruited starting Monday, Aug. 3, when offices reopen after lockdown at 260 Vermont St. in Aurora.  Women interested in becoming tutoring students may call the center at (630) 898-4636 to register for a waiting list and an English proficiency test.

Sr. Ryan said, “Our plan is to start classes on Sept. 10. Students who were scheduled to graduate in May will be offered another semester to attend. We will make program modifications because of the COVID-19 restrictions, but we are hopeful that we can creatively brainstorm ways to continue to serve the community as we have in the past.”

She added, “Many of the women who come to our center to learn to read, write and speak English are doing essential work for our country. They are cleaning hospitals and nursing homes, assembling and packing medical supplies for hospitals and bagging groceries.

“Many are mothers who are helping their children with online schoolwork. We want to be ready in September to reach 200-plus women, helping them to read, write and speak English.”

According to Sr. Ryan, citizenship classes will begin on Sept. 13. New students may register, but preference will be given to students whose classes were interrupted in March.  The class is limited to 20 students.

Sr. Ryan said, “In order for everyone who comes to the center to be safe and secure, in accordance with IDPH  guidelines, the DLC staff has worked on a plan that will offer maximum health safeguards.

“Everyone in the building will wear masks, and extra masks and gloves will be available. All group gatherings, such as morning announcements and group breaks. will be eliminated. Hand sanitizer will be available to all, in every room. All tutoring rooms have been sanitized, and each room will be sanitized before it is used by another (tutor-student) pair.

“Tutors and students  will be encouraged to bring their own pens and pencils. All kitchen cups and spoons are disposable after one use. It is our hope that these simple but important practices will allow our students and tutors to learn together in a safe and secure environment,” Sr. Kathleen said.

About Dominican Literacy Center

Founded in 1993 by the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, the Dominican Literacy Center, 260 Vermont Ave. in Aurora, offers free English classes to more than 200 immigrant women annually by trained volunteers who offer one-on-one tutoring sessions–90-minutes weekly–to women. Additionally, free citizenship classes are offered to men and women. While instruction is free, students are asked to contribute $25 for materials.

The center’s mission is to enable immigrant families to participate in their communities learning to read, write and speak English. Since its inception, the center has served thousands of Aurora-area residents.

On the grounds of St. Therese Catholic Church in Aurora, the center has grown from five students and five tutors to 200 studnts from 16 countries taught by 200 dedicated volunteer tutors annually.

The DLC is a member of the Greater Aurora Area Literacy Coalition, which includes the Aurora Public Library, Waubonsee Community College, World Relief, Family Focus, Hesed House and other members. The  center collaborates with the coalition, informing clients about the services of the agencies, as well as Mutual Ground domestic violence shelter, Visiting Nurses Association and Family Counseling Services.

Call (630) 898-4636, e-mail Kathleenmryan@sbcglobal.net, or visit dominicanliteracycenter.org for more information.

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Al Benson

Freelance Photo-Journalist

Al Benson is an Aurora-based freelance photo-journalist. He is currently an archives research specialist at Aurora University. His work has appeared in The Voice, The Daily Herald, The Beacon-News, and the Chicago Tribune.