Program Intern

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Mission: Responding to a critical societal need, Aquinas Literacy Center empowers adults by providing English as a Second Language instruction through individualized tutoring in an environment that respects and reverences individuals. We enable learners to transform their lives by acquiring skills to become successful parents, productive workers and responsible citizens.

History: Aquinas Literacy Center (ALC) is a community-based organization located in McKinley Park on the southwest side of Chicago. Since 1996, ALC has served the immigrant community by offering free individualized instruction in the English language. Using trained, volunteer tutors, Aquinas serves over 200 learners annually. Learners participate in weekly tutoring sessions, conversation groups, writing workshops, book clubs, computer-based instruction and computer literacy workshops. ALC is sponsored by the Adrian Dominican Sisters.

Purpose: The Program Intern supports the Program Director in all aspects of the one-on-one tutoring program as well as supplemental classes for students and continuing education for tutors. The Program Intern manages the tutoring program in the Program Director’s absence and serves as a resource for tutors.

Roles and Responsibilities of the Program Intern:

• Registers students and provides information about ALC programs

• Coordinates tutor and student schedules with the Program Director
• Assists the Program Director with additional programs: supplemental classes, summer tutoring, and family literacy nights
• Promotes a welcoming, attractive learning environment for all
• Answers and routes calls to literacy center personnel
• Maintains and monitors tutor and learner records; enters program information in the LitPro database
• Attends weekly staff meetings and participates in Aquinas Literacy Center events

• Improves and broadens learning opportunities for tutors; serves as a resource for tutors and aids tutors in finding and utilizing appropriate supplemental materials
• Monitors individual student learning progress; gathers supplemental materials and directs students to supplemental classes as needed
• Serves as an occasional substitute tutor

• Assists Program Director in gathering statistical data as well as in completing grant reports
• Creates marketing materials to inform the community about the Center’s mission and promotes the program through citywide media outlets

• Plans and participates in all tutor training workshops, tutor in-services, and tutor roundtables
• Reports to the Program Director

Required Qualifications:

• At least 18 years of age
• Some college education or current enrollment in college
• Fluent in Spanish or Mandarin Chinese (spoken and written)
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Flexible and detail-oriented
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Internet research
• Interested in working with community-based organizations and adult immigrants
• Knowledge of how adults learn

Preferred Qualifications:

• Flexible schedule (able to work various days and times that the Center is open)
• Able to attend the volunteer tutor training on Friday, January 29 from 6pm to 9pm and Saturday, January 30 from 9am to 3pm
• Experience tutoring, teaching, working with adults, working with immigrants, and/or in case management
• College coursework in (adult) education or social work

Time Commitment and Compensation:

The Program Intern commits a minimum of one semester (12 weeks) or 3 months for 8-20 hours per week. All hours must be completed on-site at 3540 S. Hermitage Ave. in Chicago. Aquinas Literacy Center is open Mondays through Thursdays 9am to 8pm, and staff are at the Center from 9am to 4pm on Fridays. Staff meetings are on Fridays at 9:30am (day and time may be negotiable).

Aquinas Literacy Center will do its best to accommodate any school and/or degree program requirements.

This is an unpaid position.

To Apply:

Submit cover letter, resume, and 3 references toKristen Dempsey Pasyk, Volunteer Coordinator, at aquinasliteracy@gmail.com. At least one reference from a supervisor at a paid or volunteer position is strongly preferred. Please include "Program Internship" in the subject line. Priority deadline is Thursday, December 17, 2015 for the Spring 2016 semester.

Please note that two individuals may be chosen for this position.