PEORIA – To provide residents with an opportunity to improve vital life skills, State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) announced local organizations will receive more than $200,000 in grants from the secretary of state’s office to help adult learners develop reading, mathematics, writing, and English-language skills.

“Providing adult residents with more learning opportunities can only benefit our community. Everyone deserves the opportunity to better themselves, regardless of their age,” Koehler said. “I also encourage all who are able and willing to help their neighbors improve these vital life skills to volunteer.”

More than 13,500 students will be served by adult literacy programs throughout Illinois. Supported by $5.6 million in state funds, the programs will depend on nearly 6,000 volunteer tutors to provide skills training for students, according to the Secretary of State’s Office. Adult literacy projects are focused on improving reading, writing and math and are targeted at Illinois adults who read below the 9th-grade level or speak English at a beginning level.

Local organizations receiving these grants include:
- Spoon River College, $54,000
- YWCA Pekin, $65,000
- Neighborhood House, $51,488
- Peoria County Regional Office of Education, $60,597

Those interested in volunteering should contact the Illinois Adult Learning Hotline at 800-321-9511.