Sponsored Institutions - Stories

By Sabrina Poulin, Associate Director, Aquinas Literacy Center

March 20, 2024, Chicago – Twelve adult English language learners were inducted on February 26, 2024, as the first members of Aquinas Literacy Center’s National Adult Education Honor Society (NAEHS). 

The NAEHS provides meaningful recognition to deserving adult education students, improves student employment opportunities, develops student ambassadors for local adult education programs, and creates adult education awareness with school administrators and state legislators.

Inducted into the Honor Society were Fouez Assali, Ana Briseno, Maria Castanon, Daouia Chabane, Maricela Chacon, Wendy Delgado, Eduardo Donato, Jose Francisco, Georgina Garcia, Samuel Martinez, Carolina Velarde, and Jesus Vizcaino

To be considered for the honor society, each learner must have at least a 90% attendance rate, demonstrate a cooperative attitude and a strong work ethic, advance at least one book level, and attend classes at Aquinas for at least one year. 

Illinois State Representative Theresa Mah (D-24th District) was on hand to celebrate and congratulate the 12 deserving learners. Members of Aquinas’ Board of Directors and representatives from the Adrian Dominican Sisters leadership also attended the event to support the inductees. The learners were acknowledged with a certificate, two letters of recommendation, and a National Adult Education Honor Society pin. 

Since 1996, Aquinas Literacy Center has offered individualized instruction in the English language to the adult immigrant population of McKinley Park and surrounding areas –Bridgeport, Back of the Yards, and Brighton Park – of Chicago. Through one-on-one tutoring, conversation classes, book clubs, writing workshops, and independent computer learning, learners are empowered to transform their lives by acquiring literacy skills to become successful parents, productive workers, and responsible citizens. 

Annually, 125 volunteer literacy tutors instruct 150 adult learners. Aquinas Literacy Center is sponsored by the Adrian Dominican Sisters and is a member of the Dominican Rea Literacy Corporation.

For more information, call 773-927-0512 or email [email protected].

 

Featured photo at top: From left, members of the National Adult Education Honor Society Samuel Martinez, Daouia Chabane, Wendy Delgado, Illinois State Representative Theresa Mah, Carolina Velarde, Georgina Garcia, Eduardo Donato, and Alison Altmeyer, Executive Director of Aquinas Literacy Center. Not shown are Fouez Assali, Ana Briseno, Maria Castanon, Maricela Chacon, Jose Francisco, and Jesus Vizcaino. Photo Courtesy of Aquinas Literacy Center.