Q:
Tell us what partnering with Literacy DuPage means to you and your congregation.
A:
It's cool that an organization like Literacy DuPage
—
that receives federal grants and works with the community—is willing and wanting to partner with a church. It shows
what matters is the community and the people we are serving
(outside of just the church or organization), and that unites us.
Q:
As a result of our work together, have you seen changes in the relationships between members of your congregation?
A:
Yes! Tutors in the program must first go through an orientation and training. Those that graduate together are then in a cohort. From these experiences, it is great to see
people who attend this huge church, and who do not know each other, become allies and friends
from the program.
Q:
What about the way congregation members develop relationships with the community? How has that changed?
A:
For many people in the church community,
this program is one of the first times they have developed a safe cross-cultural relationship with someone so different from them.
From these relationships, empathy is often created from one point of view to the other. Also, tutors can become involved in the learners' lives. For example, one tutor became the Godparent of a quinceanera. They become part of the family.
Q:
What struggles, if any, have you experienced with the partnership?
A:
There seems to be a smaller pool to pick from for tutors. In the church, other ministries need volunteers too. Recruitment can be hard with the time commitment for training and tutoring.
We have had a lot of conversations about how can we recruit better within the church, and even recruitment outside the church.
Q:
What is your favorite thing about the partnership?
A:
My favorite thing is how the partnership is structured and how both components complement each other.
The church does relationships and loving people well, and Literacy DuPage does training people, knowledge of theory, and resources well.
I don't need to worry about how to train, necessarily. My strength is building relationships in the community. But at the same time, I can provide support where needed.
Q:
What do you see for the future between PDP and Literacy DuPage?
A:
I hope we can continue to
grow and serve more people
in the community.
