AURORA—“Tutors and students began to arrive Thursday, Sept. 10, and everyone is very happy to be here!”

 

That was the fall report from Dominican Sister Kathleen Ryan, founder and director of the Dominican Literacy Center in Aurora.

 

“It’s a touch of normalcy in an otherwise non-normal time,” she added. “We’ve had perfect compliance with all of the masking, social distancing and sanitizing procedures that we’ve put in place.”

 

On Sept. 14, Sister Jane Ann Beckman, OP, began citizenship classes for men and women. Classes are capped at 20 students. Everyone is cooperating with the COVID-19 practices and procedures.

 

Robert O’Connor, Aurora alderman and DLC advisory board member, shared 2,000 disposable face masks from a donation of 500,000 to the city from a Chicago businessman.

 

“Many thanks to Bob O’Connor, DLC board member, for sharing masks from the City of Aurora with our tutors and students. Much needed and much appreciated,” said Sister Kathleen.

 

The center has received a $20,000 grant from the Alfred Bersted Foundation. Receipt of the grant was delayed from June to August. 

 

“We’re grateful that we have received the grant,” Sister Kathleen added, “since our long-time and supportive Bersted Foundation grant manager Marilyn Foote retired in January. She was always a strong advocate for the center.”

 

The DLC director said the center plans to apply for the COVID-19 grant offered by Kane County. The application deadline is Oct. 2.

 

The Dominican Literacy Center, 260 Vermont Ave., is on the campus of St. Therese of Jesus Parish.

 

Any woman age 17 and older who wishes to learn to read, write and speak English is welcome. Cost is $25 for materials.

 

Info: 630-898-4636 or dominicanliteracycenter.org.