ROCKFORD – The YWCA of Northwestern Illinois has been awarded an $85,000 grant to enhance their adult volunteer literacy program thanks to support from State Senator Steve Stadelman.

“The YWCA does great work to make writing and ESL classes accessible to adults in Rockford,” said Stadelman (D-Rockford). “I am pleased that their work is being recognized and rewarded with this grant money so they can continue to provide these important services.”

Since 1985, the YWCA Literacy Council has advocated for literacy awareness and services in the Rockford region. The organization provides classes and tutoring programs to improve English language comprehension, reading, writing, and English as a second language skills. The classes are available to all Rockford adults not enrolled in school for free. 

The YWCA of Northwestern Illinois uses funds from grants, donations, and the generosity of local volunteers, many of which serve to help adults involved in the literacy program, to make these programs accessible to the community. The $85,000 grant will help YWCA continue to provide these classes free of charge to Rockford residents, and potentially expand.

“Literacy is an essential skill for personal and professional growth,” said Stadelman. “I am thankful that YWCA has offered the chance for adults in our community to improve their literacy for such a long time, and look forward to how they will utilize this new grant funding to further improve literacy in Rockford.”