What We Do

The South Area Literacy Council is a non-profit, community based volunteer organization formed in 1979 to address the problem of adult illiteracy in Chicago's southern suburbs. Over the past two decades SALC has offered free, individualized tutoring for adult learners who need to improve their skills in basic reading.

Services provided:

• One-to-one tutoring: Tutoring, provided by volunteers who have completed the Council's Training Workshop, is offered to American and foreign-born adults. If it is determined that the prospective student meets the program's eligibility requirements and will benefit from literacy tutoring , a volunteer tutor will be assigned. The team (one tutor working with one student) will meet a minimum of 2 hours each week at an assigned public location. Tutoring continues until the student's goals are met or until the student reaches the 9th grade reading level.
• Small group tutoring: Group instruction is offered for American-born adults testing above the 6th grade reading level. Three to five students meet with one tutor to increase skills in spelling, writing, and critical thinking skills.
• Basic math tutoring: Functional math skills are incorporated in one-to-one tutoring sessions for the student who needs increased proficiency for educational, employment or survival reasons.
• Tutor training: A 14 hour pre-service training workshop is conducted for volunteers who are tutoring with SALC's program. Training is also provided for groups working with special needs students, churches, and agencies implementing literacy projects. In-service programs on topics of interest to tutors are also offered.