AURORA—Aurora’s Dominican Literacy Center greatly exceeded its 2020 GivingTuesday fundraising goal.

 

Sister Kathleen Ryan, center founder and executive director, said, “Our goal was $10,000 and we received $10,300.

 

“All of us at the Dominican Literacy Center are deeply grateful to our donors, who so generously contributed to and supported our mission on Giving Tuesday. Their generosity was overwhelming.  

 

“These donations will help us to continue to help immigrant families learn to read, write and speak English. God bless each and every one of you, and your loved ones.”

 

Founded in 1993, the center organizes female volunteer tutors to deliver free English classes to more than 150 immigrant women annually. Additionally, free citizenship classes are offered to both men and women. 

 

The center’s mission is to enable immigrant families to participate in their communities learning to read, write and speak English.

 

Sister Ryan noted, “This has been a difficult year for all, yet the Dominican Literacy Center’s students have been determined to continue their education.”

 

Accommodating COVID

 

“The center’s staff has done their best to meet students’ needs by making safety accommodations for in-person lessons when allowed and by facilitating virtual lessons,” Sister Ryan said, adding, “It is inspiring to see how the center’s staff, tutors and students have worked hard to continue on.”

 

The center has served more than 2,000 Aurora-area residents since its founding, growing from five students and five teachers to 150 students from 16 countries taught by volunteer tutors each year. 

 

The center, at 260 Vermont Ave. in Aurora, is operated by the Dominican Sisters of Springfield. 

 

GivingTuesday, an international 24-hour online campaign, was held Dec. 1. Founded in 2012, the drive is dedicated to encouraging people to make donations to charities, volunteer and generally support philanthropic efforts.