CHICAGO – State Senator Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago, 3rd) announced today that adult literacy programs in her district will receive nearly $400,000 in state grants.
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White awarded the grants through the Adult Literacy Grant Program, which helps learners develop and enhance their reading, math, writing and English-language skills.
“I am glad that the secretary of state recognizes the important role in encouraging intellectual growth and economic development,” Hunter said. “Communities rich in educational and creative opportunities can attract a strong workforce and successful businesses, as well as help sustain a positive quality of life. This much needed increase in funding will help us continue to provide literacy training and ESL programs for adult learners and their families.”
The programs receiving funding in Hunter’s district are:
- Literacy Volunteers of Illinois, Chicago: $47,900
- Literacy Chicago, Literacy Adult Program, Chicago: $100,000
- De La Salle Institute, Chicago: $50,000
- Heartland Human Care Services, Adult Volunteer Literacy Project, Chicago: $70,000
- Heartland Human Care Services, Immigrant Family Literacy Project, Chicago: $50,000
- Heartland Human Care Services, Refugee Family Literacy Project, Chicago: $50,000
- Chicago Citywide Literacy Coalition: $15,000
- Literacy Works, Chicago: $20,000
A total of 14,352 learners will be served by adult literacy programs around the state. A total of 6,086 volunteer tutors will provide training for learners putting them on the path to lifelong learning. Adult literacy projects help adults who read below the ninth-grade level or speak English at a beginning level to improve their reading, writing, math or use of English as a new language.
In total, the secretary of state’s office awarded $5.6 million in grants to adult literacy programs around the state.
To learn more about adult literacy grant programs, visit https://cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/literacy/adultlit-grants-overview.html.