YWCA Pekin Adult Literacy Program and CYFS Retired Senior Volunteer Program Partnering To Provide Additional Literacy Services
Contact: Celeste Matheson
Office: (309) 323-6619
Cell: (309) 634-1611
Email: cmatheson@cyfsolutions.org
Director of the YWCA Pekin Adult Literacy Program (YWCNALP) Tonja Ohnemus, is pleased to announce that YWCNALP has partnered with Center for Youth and Family Solutions’ Retired Senior Volunteer Program (CYFS/RSVP) to work to increase the capacity of individuals trained to provide literacy services to individuals in and around Tazewell County.
Jeff Turnbull, Director of RSVP said, “RSVP’s purpose is to recruit individuals 55 years of age and older to volunteer at local non-profit organizations and help those agencies complete their program mission. The partnership between our two agencies has been a natural fit in that there are very dedicated and qualified volunteers who are willing to work with YWCA/ALP in assisting adult learners to meet their goals of furthering their education. These RSVP volunteers, working with the other volunteers recruited by the YWCA, provide their time and services free of charge and often find they also are receiving benefits and rewards by serving others and paying it forward.”
Jeff is also is pleased to offer the following, “Because CYFS/RSVP believes in and supports the work being done by the YWCA/ALP, our Advisory Board has decided to support RSVP volunteers at the YWCA by reimbursing them for an annual membership at the Pekin YWCA. This not only shows our appreciation for what these volunteers do, but it also promotes the program’s community awareness and helps spread the word of the great work being done by the Adult Literacy Program, the Pekin YWCA, and RSVP.”
Both organizations are very excited about this partnership and invite you to attend an informational session on February 11, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. at the YWCA Pekin where Jeff and Tonja will both be present to answer questions. If you are unable to attend the informational session but still want to learn more about how you can volunteer at the YWCA Pekin Adult Literacy Program as a volunteer tutor or as a volunteer in an office, fundraising, marketing, or PR role please contact Tonja Ohnemus, Director of Adult Literacy, at 309-347-2104 ext. 4023 or email tonjao@ywcapekin.org. To learn more about becoming a volunteer at CYFS/RSVP please contact Jeff Turnbull, Director of RSVP at 309-323-6600 or by email at jtumbull@cysolutions.org.
This project was made possible by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library (ISL), a division of the Office of Secretary of State, using state funds designated for literacy.
CYFS is a not-for-profit social services agency that works with families who have been impacted by trauma, grief and loss, abuse and neglect, and other significant family life challenges. The organization provides foster care and adoption services; behavioral health counseling; crisis pregnancy counseling; intact family intervention; residential services for youth; senior services; and youth, family, and community outreach services. Its mission is to engage and serve children and families in need with dignity, compassion, and respect by building upon individual and community strengths to resolve life challenges. CYFS has 11 offices across Illinois, and annually serves nearly 1,600 individuals in Danville and the surrounding communities, 8,000 families in 37 counties, and over 20,000 individuals statewide.
For information on The Center for Youth and Family Solutions, visit www.cyfsolutions.org or contact Celeste Matheson at 309-323-6619.
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