New Readers for New Life
In the late 1980’s a group of adult learners were sharing their thoughts and feelings over coffee at a restaurant. In their discussion they noted a common frustration: they felt different from others because they had been unable to learn.
As they probed this frustration, they felt a common bond of having felt failure. They came to realize there were many others like them who also felt shut off from the world around them. They felt they were being denied living life as it should be and were missing the satisfaction of gaining new knowledge through reading about world history, current events and literature.
The group of adult learners decided they would enjoy meeting and sharing ideas with learners from other parts of the state. They recognized the problems of communicating with such persons, but felt it was imperative to reach out and help others understand that education and knowledge are priceless. They also wanted to spread the philosophy that adults can learn, and can change their lives and those of their children and grandchildren!
With all of these ideas pouring forth, it was decided to enlist the dreams of other adult learners throughout the state. It was felt that love, caring and understanding of mutual problems would be the basis of the dream. Student support groups, they thought which give encouragement and positive direction could be the focus of such a new organization. In their call to action this group encouraged those who share their philosophy to be partners in a state conference for learners.
These special persons, together with other students from throughout Illinois, planned and held their first ever state conference for students on October 9 & 10, 1993. At the first conference thirty people attended. In the twelve years since over 1,000 individuals from twenty-one states have attended the event. This shows that we are growing and, that if we believe in ourselves ... Dreams Do Come True !
