Illinois Literacy

              Skyline Furniture Manufacturing in the village of
Thornton in southeast Cook County has been in
business for more than 60 years. The family-owned
operation is largely self-sufficient in the
furniture industry with its own woodshop, fabric-cutting,
sewing and upholstering departments.
More than 85 percent of Skyline’s workforce con-sists
of non-native English speakers.
Several years ago the owner and management
decided to provide on-site, voluntary English as a
Second Language (ESL) classes for their employees.
They believed that the employees learning English
would help improve their quality of life as well as
improve communication in the workplace. With some
business expansion and a new warehouse planned,
the company had hoped to promote from within and
demonstrate its commitment to employees.
Skyline management contacted South Suburban
College about providing an ESL class and posted a
voluntary class sign-up sheet. More than half of
the workforce signed up for assessments and
classes. Skyline partnered with South Suburban
College’s Business & Career Institute to offer two
ESL classes on site. After providing the funds for
instruction the first year, Skyline requested and
received Workplace Skills Enhancement Grants
through the Secretary of State’s Literacy Office to
help continue the program.
The company has noted an increase in English lan-guage
use and a greater sense of commitment and
camaraderie among its employees. The employees
now rely less on translators and have a better
understanding of work forms such as inventory
sheets, work orders, shipping labels and manuals.
They also have improved their vocabulary for fab-ric
colors. Several employees have earned promo-tions,
such as Juan Morales, Jr., who started
classes at a low English skill level a few years ago
and is now fluent in English.
(continued on page 2)
Each year the Spotlight on Achievement and Service Awards shine a very deserving
light on several outstanding adult learners and volunteer tutors. These adult learners
work hard to reach their educational goals despite the challenges that come their way.
The volunteer tutors who spend countless hours with them are the cogs of the wheels
that keep these learners on the track to success. I am always very proud to hand each
of them their awards. This issue highlights the accomplishments of this year’s
Spotlight on Achievement winners, who are an inspiration for other adult learners and
all of us in the literacy field.
Adult learners may learn through an adult volunteer literacy program, a family literacy program or a
workplace program. In this issue we recognize the progress that’s taking place at Skyline
Manufacturing in Thornton, where many of its employees are enrolled in an on-site ESL program. With
assistance from a Secretary of State Workplace Skills Enhancement Grant these employees have seen
considerable personal gains at work as well as at home. The management at Skyline is commended
for their commitment to their employees and their community.
Our literacy efforts don’t stop during the summer months. For a wealth of summer learning opportuni-ties,
check out one of the Literacy Office’s Adult & Family Literacy Resource Bins as well as a number
of Google Web sites (see page 4). Have a great summer!
Jesse White
Secretary of State & State Librarian
The Illinois Literacy newsletter is available at www.cyberdriveillinois.com.
Jesse White
Secretary of State
& State Librarian
ILLINOLIS ITERACY
SUMMER
2009
Employees enrolled in one of Skyline Furniture’s ESL classes.
“The Sky’s the Limit” for employees at Skyline