HISTORY

The Literacy Council Timeline: 

1986:  The Rockford Area Literacy Council (RALC) opens with its main office at the YWCA and a satellite office in Boone County at Ida Public Library in Belvidere.

1989:  RALC holds its first annual “100 Men Who Cook” fundraiser.    

1991:  RALC moves into its new home at 982 N. Main St. as the philanthropic project of Rockford Woman's Club.                      

1992:  RALC collaborates with Head Start to provide instruction to parents of children in the program. The Ogle County satellite at Byron Public Library opens.

1993:  RALC develops Teaching Reading to Adults (TRA), a comprehensive tutor training manual.

1996:  North Suburban District Library opens an SOS family literacy project satellite site with the Harlem School District. The first “Three Vehicle Raffle” is held in conjunction with the seventh annual “100 Men Who Cook.”

1998:  Small group instruction begins, with funds provided by the Illinois State Board of Education.

2000:  The North Main Street building is purchased from the Rockford Women’s Club.

2001:  Rockford Area Literacy Council changes its name to The Literacy Council (TLC).

2003:  Small classroom instruction in English, reading, and math begins at the Winnebago County Jail.

2004:  Over 400 runners participate in the first annual Literacy Run, a half marathon sponsored by TLC. Instruction at Winnebago County Jail is expanded to include the women’s jail.

2009:  First GED-i student receives GED credential.