‘Consider your donation an investment in the future of our country.’
— Sister Kathleen Ryan, OP

AURORA—Sponsor a woman to learn English.

That’s the invitation from Dominican Sister Kathleen  Ryan, OP, founder and administrator of the Dominican Literacy Center (DLC) in Aurora.

Sister Kathleen said the center’s annual Sponsor-a-Student fundraiser is underway.

“We invite the public to provide learning materials for our students by contributing to the program,” she said, suggesting two levels—$100 and $1,000.

Each $100 donation, combined with a student $25 material fee, generates $125 that will provide a student text, workbook and planning manual for a year of weekly, one-on-one 90-minute tutoring sessions by trained women volunteers.

A $1,000 donation will fund a laptop computer loaded with materials for tutoring-room instruction. Laptops include pronunciation practice and listening activities, National Geographic Magazine videos and other audio/video-based materials.

Sister Kathleen said, “We are deeply grateful for gifts to the Sponsor-a-Student campaign. Consider your donation an investment in the future of our country.

“Donations yield a human dividend of literate, informed women and mothers in our neighborhoods, communities and the world,” she said.

Checks may be sent to the DLC, 260 Vermont Ave., Aurora, IL 60505-3100.

The administrator added that the materials support the Stand Out program, a new curriculum debuting this fall. The curriculum focuses on teaching English through organizational and listening skills, predicting outcomes and topics ranging from work to healthy living and personal information. Returning tutors completed online and in-person training on Stand Out in June.

According to Sister Kathleen, DLC classes reopen Sept. 9 after a summer hiatus.

New-tutor training is set for 6 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 17, 19 and 24 at the center.

Info: 630-898-4636 or dominicanliteracycenter.org