An anonymous benefactor has donated over $44,000 to benefit the Family Literacy Program at Kishwaukee College and the Opportunity House Learning for Life Program with the funds to be dispersed at the discretion of Carla Raynor. Part of the funds have been used to purchase six Apple iPad Air 2 tablets for use by the Opportunity House Learning for Life students. Pictured are the students with the tablets, L to R: Hillard Gentry, DeKalb; Matt Marler, DeKalb; Mike Judd , Sycamore; Sara Killey, DeKalb; Sarah Bullmer, DeKalb; Mark Claussen, Sycamore; Carla Raynor, Learning for Life Instructor; Jason Meyers, DeKalb; Josh Garland, DeKalb; and Spring Bellows, Sycamore.
An anonymous benefactor from Indiana has donated over $44,000 to benefit the Family Literacy Program at Kishwaukee College and the Opportunity House Learning for Life Program, a partnership between the College and Opportunity House, Inc.
The unexpected gift is the result of Carla Raynor, Coordinator of Family Literacy and Learning for Life instructor, meeting a member of the Francis Meyer Charitable Lead Trust’s board while visiting her mother in Indiana. “We had many wonderful, wide ranging conversations that included what I do at the college, who I work with and how the programs benefit the students,” Raynor explained. “When I was told that perhaps they could help me, I thought that a few hundred dollars would be a great opportunity for me to purchase a few more books and other necessary items for both programs. I never expected the amount I received and am so incredibly grateful!”
Raynor is given sole discretion in the use and dispersal of the funds. In light of the continued budget issues facing higher education in the state of Illinois, one of Raynor’s proposed use of the funds is to meet the payroll requirements for staff members in the Family Literacy program through June 30, 2017. This will allow the program to continue providing services to parents with children between the ages of birth and 10 years of age while they are participating in ELA (English Language Acquisition) or HSE (High School Equivalency) classes.
The funds have been used to purchase six Apple iPad Air 2 tablets for use by the Opportunity House Learning for Life students. “There will be two students paired up for each tablet,” she explained. “This will give the Learning for Life students internet access, tablet experience and will provide them with the opportunity to use apps relating to one of the classes they are taking such as Dinosaurs, Elections and Government, Science or Plants. Pairing students together also helps more advanced students to learn mentoring skills and to assist their classmates.”
In addition, Raynor would like to purchase a portable document reader and portable projector that can be connected to a laptop for use at Opportunity House when she is teaching in various classrooms or different locations throughout the facility. Raynor explained, “While the large multi-purpose classroom is wonderful for teaching, it must also be used for the training and workshops that Opportunity House provides to its staff members throughout the year. Moving to another location, even temporarily, can disrupt the educational flow of the class, so having the same type of equipment that can be used in multiple classrooms would be a huge benefit for everyone.”
A representative of the Meyers Trust stated, “The Trust chooses charities that reflect the interests of the Board members. Carla’s relationship with her clients and students is wonderful. She makes everyone feel good about themselves and accepted. That is a gift and we wanted to support her efforts.” Raynor again expressed her surprise and gratitude to the Francis Meyer Charitable Lead Trust. “This was unexpected, but is so appreciated. I want the Trust’s Board to know how grateful I am and to be assured I will put their generous gift to good use. Their thoughtfulness will have a direct impact on many lives in the Kishwaukee College district. These funds will help all students, both educationally and socially, no matter what their age or ability.”
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