24 Years of Service to the Community 1984-2008

Literacy is a fundamental issue to be addressed in improving the quality of life for the rapidly increasing Latino population. According to the US Census Data of 1990, 56% of US Latinos are functionally illiterate and 78% of all Latino immigrants have not completed a standard high-school curriculum; which is a major factor why over 35% of US Latino families are living below the poverty line. Our service area is consistent with this national data. Estimates indicate that the majority of working Latino residents in our service area are severally under employed (Loyola University, Sociology Dept.) Improved education and literacy are of the most important building blocks for eradicating poverty and improving employment opportunities for our Latino community.

Centro Romero responds to this great need. Our Adult Education Program serves approximately 800 adults annually with 5 different educational programs.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Click on the links below for descriptions of each program
Weekly, we offer 180 hours of instruction through 27 classes. A teaching team of 5 staff persons and 100 volunteers make such enormous instruction possible.

Our main literacy objectives are to teach practical language skills and increase student’s critical thinking capacity. In order to do so we see the necessity of integrating classroom and tutoring instruction with student involvement in community action. A student council, peer teaching and mutual support groups provide students with opportunities to apply newly gained skills.

The Adult Education Program works in conjunction with several organizations to make our service possible. We would like you to learn more about our partners and the exciting work they are doing in Literacy, education and volunteerism. A big thanks to them, without their enthusiasm, long hours and continuing support, we would not be able to continue to grow. Click here for a list of links to friendly coalitions. Click here for a list of other community-based organizations that work in the above-mentioned coalitions with Centro Romero.