CHICAGO – State Senator Celina Villanueva is proud to announce three local organizations in Chicago will be receiving a combined total of over $400,000 to support adult and family literacy efforts in Illinois.
“We recognize literacy for the multigenerational issue it is, and that means prioritizing educational and literacy advancements for both children and adults in our state,” said Villanueva (D-Chicago). “The 12th District is proudly home to many Latino families who will benefit from access to programs like these, creating a stepping stone to help native Spanish speakers and first-generation Americans successfully assimilate into the United States’ workforce and support their children through the U.S. school system.”
The latest round of funding through the Illinois Secretary of State includes more than $28 million for library services and literacy programs throughout Illinois. Literacy grants promote basic reading, math, writing and English language skills through adult, family and workplace literacy programs.
In Villanueva’s district, three organizations are being awarded a combined total of over $400,000 in literacy grants:
Aquinas Literacy Center
- $92,156 through the Adult Volunteer Literacy grant program to provide instruction to help adults who read below the ninth-grade level or speak English at beginning level to improve their basic reading, writing, math, or English language proficiency.
Institute del Progreso Latino
- $88,576 through the Adult Volunteer Literacy grant program to provide instruction to help adults who read below the ninth-grade level or speak English at beginning level to improve their basic reading, writing, math, or English language proficiency.
- $52,500 through the Family Literacy grant program to provide integrated, intensive instruction to improve the basic reading, writing skills, math or English language proficiency of parents and children together.
Universidad Popular
- $49,122 through the Adult Volunteer Literacy grant program to provide instruction to help adults who read below the ninth-grade level or speak English at beginning level to improve their basic reading, writing, math, or English language proficiency.
- $125,427 through the Family Literacy grant program to provide integrated, intensive instruction to improve the basic reading, writing skills, math or English language proficiency of parents and children together.
“These programs are vital resources for our communities, especially minority groups like women and Latinos who have disproportionately fought to access the basic human needs most impacted by literacy level, like a quality education, good-paying jobs and compassionate health care,” added Villanueva. “I’m proud to see this funding coming to the 12th District to support every resident and family in need.”
For a full list of entities receiving grants across Illinois, visit the ILSOS website.
