Every Monday, a group of students in the Literacy Loyola project tutors illiterate adults from in the St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church.
Literacy Loyola is a project that was formed by the Loyola University Community Action Program to help improve literacy skills for adults and to help them pass the Graduation Equivalency Diploma test.
The project, however, went downhill when John Mertenstein, graduated, former chairman of Literacy Loyola. But in the spring of 2008, Sarah Beth Ryther, history senior, newly elected chairman decided to reboot the project.
Ryther was determined to find an organization that would allow the project to expand, With the help of John Daly, LUCAP Advisor, Ryther was able to partner with the St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church.
Ryther said, “The program has been a success and I have yet to have any issues. I tutor reading and English and we only choose certain people because we’re tutoring adults and you must have patience.”
The tutors of Literacy Loyola teach a class of 22 students, in which they cover course subjects such as reading, English composition and mathematics. There are six tutors, and individually, they cover two subjects each and tutor students who need one-on-one assistance.
According to Keaton Postler, co-chairman of Literacy Loyola, some of the tutors and students occasionally appear at the facility more than once a week to help them improve their skills to pass the GED General Education Development.
“They show up voluntarily because they want to learn and we want to teach and as a tutor it’s a great experience to help them,” said Postler.
In addition, Literacy Loyola pays for the first GED test and provides textbooks and wordbooks for the 22 students.
Narita Brown, a 46- year- old-student said, “This program has helped prepare me to get my diploma. I took the test three times and I ain’t passed yet. Made a 400 in math, all I need is a 410.”
Ashley Irvin can be reached at
