Lend a Neighborly Hand and Help Other Chicagoans Succeed
Our Tutors Are the Driving Force of Our Organization
Most volunteers join Literacy Chicago because they want to help someone and stay because of what they get back.
Who We're Looking For
- Enthusiastic Chicagoans with a passion for helping their neighbors
- Team players eager to learn creative and effective approaches to tutoring adult literacy and ESL learners
- Those with an interest in education equity and community impact
Your Role as a Tutor
- Working 1 on 1 or with a small group of adult literacy or ESL learners, and committing to supporting your students as they build skills and reach their goals
- Designing lessons that are interactive, enjoyable, and tailored to your students’ interests
Your Role as an Tutor
- Directly support programs that help Chicago adults achieve literacy, earn GEDs, and access career opportunities
- Connect with like-minded people, nonprofit leaders, and the community across Chicago
- Gain valuable nonprofit experience that enhances your resume and leadership capabilities
- Additionally, recent studies indicate that volunteering is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your mental health. (Source: The Cleveland Clinic)
Time Commitment
- 15½-hour pre-service tutor training, where you’ll gain the skills and confidence to support adult learners—and earn a Literacy Chicago tutor training certificate.
- 6 to 9 months volunteer commitment
- Weekly meetings with your student
Volunteer Training Sessions
Training is provided, so even if you have no volunteer or tutoring experience, we will teach you everything you need to know to start tutoring an English as a Second Language or an Adult Literacy student. All you need is a good sense of humor, a desire to help improve someone's life, and a couple of hours a week.
Training consists of three sessions: two online and one in-person. Please see the times and dates below. Participants will also have 4-6 hours of assignments to do at home between sessions. These assignments consist of watching short videos and reading short texts, and are easy and accessible to all.
All sessions must be attended to be certified, and all assignments must be completed.
Online training sessions require a computer or iPad with a camera.
For more information, contact Joanne Telser-Frère, Director of Program Development jtelserfrere@literacychicago.org
May 2026 Trainings
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
6:30 to 8:45 P.M.
Location: Zoom
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Thursday, May 14, 2026
6:30 to 8:45 P.M.
Location: Zoom
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Saturday, May 16, 2026
9 A.M. to 2 P.M.
Location: In person at the Literacy Chicago office
June 2026 Trainings
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
6:30 to 8:45 P.M.
Location: Zoom
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Thursday, June 11, 2026
6:30 to 8:45 P.M.
Location: Zoom
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Saturday, June 14, 2026
9 A.M. to 2 P.M.
Location: In person at the Literacy Chicago office
Everything you need for lesson planning in one place!