Jesse White, Ald Silverstein, guests and NSLC members
CHICAGO: Indo-American Center (IAC) and the North Side Literacy Coalition (NSLC) members organized Adult Literacy Program Night of 1000 Stars recently at the IAC facility on Californian/Devon Avenue in Chicago. The main purpose is to give adult literacy learners the opportunity to showcase their growing literacy skills through artistic performances, including singing songs, reciting poems, and performing dances with the broader adult literacy community.
NSLC members included Albany Park Community Center, Chinese Mutual Aid Association, Howard Area Community Center, Jane Addams Resource Corporation, Midwest Asian American Center, Mercy Housing Lakefront, and World Relief, and most prominently Secretary of State Literacy Office.
“I am communicating confidently [in English]… I can be independent now,” said Saroja Reddy, an IAC Literacy student from India, who began taking classes in May 2010 and is currently a Level II student. She proudly introduced herself and welcomed the attendees. With them, she shared, “There is one thing I have learned about my time spent at IAC. It provided me with opportunities to interact with people of different nationalities.”
The keynote speaker Secretary of State and Chief Librarian for the State of IL, Jesse White, appreciated the efforts of IAC and other organizations for promoting literacy among immigrants, seniors, and others.
He assured all possible help. “Tell me how I can be of help,” he queried Jesse white then handed out Certificates of Participation to the learners who performed at the Night of 1,000 Stars. The new 50th ward Alderman, Ms. Debra Silverstein also addressed the gathering.
The event was served with refreshments donated by Tahoora Sweets and Bakery and Uru-Swati restaurants on Devon Ave. The event was efficiently and ably conducted by Renuka Sharma, Jai Ramos, Susan Chaudhri, and Chirag Shah of the Center. Sharma sees a future for the students attending the event: “It is important to know the students will one day succeed as productive citizens in their own community, whether it’s job acquisition, communicating with teachers, making friends, and especially feeling comfortable in their newly imbibed ‘American’ skin.”
Sher Rajput, Trustee of the Indo-American Center, appreciated the efforts made by participants and organizers for a successful completion of the program. Special guests were Ms. Dorothy Whitney and Ms. Saroja Reddy. Zahra Somani represented Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky.
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