CEFS Adult Volunteer Literacy

Program Overview

·CEFS serves seven counties in central Illinois: Clay, Effingham, Fayette, Shelby, Christian, Montgomery, and Moultrie. We are an adult education program. We recruit, train, match, and monitor volunteer tutors who assist adult learners to reach literacy goals such as learning to read and write, learning basic math skills, learning English as a new language, and learning basic job skills and vocabulary for prospective or current employment. We provide a safe educational environment for adult learners and their tutors. All services and materials are free of charge, and the computer lab is open to all registered learners. We receive funding through the Illinois Secretary of State, other grants, and donations.

Cost Info

Student and Volunteer Success Stories

The Tawdros family left Cairo, Egypt in 2015 to escape the violence of ISIS and to offer the hopes of an American dream to their two young daughters. They were referred to the CEFS Adult Volunteer Literacy Program by friends who were already learning English as a new language in the Program. The Tawdros family used the Literacy Program to learn English vocabulary and American culture. They sought information for child care, employment opportunities, education, and housing. Filling out forms. locating services, and even the Pledge of Allegiance were incorporated into their language lessons. The Adult Literacy Program was the first recourse for the family, but they were quickly referred to other agency programs for further assistance. They utilized the Tax Assistance Program, LIHEAP, Summer Youth Scholarship, and the Family Literacy Program. With skills, resources, and other assistance gained from CEFS, Nermine and Hany both have since earned MBAs and are working full-time in professional careers. Nermine is even a part-time ELL instructor at Lake Land College in Mattoon, IL! Hany passed a rigorous Supply Chain Professional Certification, and the family has purchased a house in one of Effingham's most prestigious neighborhoods. They are both proud American citizens now.