(gentle music) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (gentle music continues) (keyboard keys clacking) - That could be, "I can't understand how to do the FAFSA form.

I can't understand how my own children need what they need in school.

I can't understand what they're saying in the break room at work.

I don't understand what this word means.

I don't know how to advance this."

I could go on and on.

This program is funded through the Illinois Secretary of State.

It's a grant.

We work to have students that are 17 or above who are not enrolled in a public school.

The one great feature of this program is that it's a one-on-one tutoring, so it's different than some of the other literacy programs in that we take students where they are, we assess them, and then we line them up with a tutor.

You find illiteracy everywhere.

It is not just an urban problem, it's rural, it's suburban, it's everywhere.

We've seen it as retired educators.

We see it in the community.

We see it when we go into stores.

And I would say it's almost the quiet epidemic.

We take for granted so much how reading is fundamental.

We know that, we talk about it.

I think back on, you know, I was so fortunate, our parents, that we had books in our house, we were taught.

And it just came naturally.

It doesn't for everybody.

We have a tendency in our society today that technology will take care of everything.

You still have to know the basic building blocks, and that's reading.

(lively music) A young lady came to us and said that, "You know, my dad, we just found out he can't read."

And he was a retired gentleman, and through the program, he was able to read and function, and kind of has a brand new life, as you can imagine.

(lively music) (keyboard keys clacking) We pride ourselves in offering this program to tutors who come from all walks of life.

And I think that's what makes the program so successful.

You do not have to be a retired educator.

You have to simply be an adult who simply has some time to give, who really, truly wants to make a difference, a difference that can be tangible, but it also can pay dividends down the road.

(lively music) - I really think it's a great program, and I have teacher friends who are also tutors, and they're encouraged by the program, and encouraged what they're doing with the adult learners.

We learn the facts about the program, the expectations for us as tutors, and the time constraint, because as retirees, you always want to know, "How long do I have to commit to a program?"

And so they provided all of that information, and letting us know that, number one, it was flexible.

I kinda look at that as that when you've got a well-read community, then you have a, I would say, a prosperous economy as well.

- Our program relies on volunteers, and therefore all the materials you receive are free.

Our training is free, our follow-up is free, our assessments are free.

The progress you bring with the student is intangible.

It's worth so much.

Does not cost you a dime.

- And so I encourage other members of our community to check out the literacy program through the Regional Office of Education.

They'll find it very rewarding.

- Literacy is everything.

It's where you start.

If we wanna really, truly establish this community as a place to grow up, live, and stay, you have to have a good command of literacy in general.

Not just the language, but literacy in general.

All the ins and outs.

And I think as we talk a lot about businesses in this community wanting to retain, this is one of the most basic ways you can do that.

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