Literacy Volunteers of Illinois

The volunteer outreach for community action in Literacy, herein referred to as vocal, is a federally funded national service program that recruits, trains and places americorps members in community and faith-based agencies to serve as tutors, tutor recruiters, and classroom aides in adult basic Literacy and english as a second language programs. Throughout the fiscal year, vocal received $36,306 of donated services.

The training center involves research, policy advising, and program development at the local, state, and national levels. It also serves as a clearing house for information and referral, sponsors two annual conferences, and provides evaluative services for the uic center for literacys family start Literacy centers.

Jump start is a one-to-one tutoring program in the Illinois youth centers, which are state-operated secure centers for delinquent youth. The program serves two types of youth - low level youth performing below a 6th grade level and higher level youth pursuing a ged. Youth are referred to the program by teachers, but participation is voluntary.