Pekin Altrusa has been operating in Pekin since 1929. Recently the organization has decided to take on a bigger challenge than it’s been known for. That bigger challenge is helping elementary students from K–3rd grade in Pekin reach their reading grade level. Pekin Altrusa is a local organization, but it’s a part of the international organization Altrusa International which has a Non-Governmental Organization observer seat at the United Nations within is Economic and Social Council. Although the organization has a service component, one of its main shared goals is improving literacy.

Recently, Pekin Altrusa submitted a grant request to its parent organization to help implement an after school reading and tutoring program in Pekin. The project requires collaboration with the local school district, parents of elementary students and Pekin Altrusa members. The program requires parents and teachers to apply to participate in the tutoring program. If approved, teachers get paid a stipend from Pekin Altrusa to stay after school and tutor between 5-7 students. In order for a student to be approved for the program, they must be reading below their reading grade level at the time of the application. Once approved, students can start staying after school for tutoring beginning in November.

Parents have to provide transportation from the tutoring location. Otherwise, students will not be able to participate at this time. Mainly, the reason for the transportation component is because the project budget is only $5,000 which is projected to last through May 2025. The grant application is only for $2,500 while Pekin Altrusa has to contribute some of its own money and raise the rest of the funds. The program includes two tutoring sessions per teacher per week for a total of four tutoring sessions per week. The project will also feed students as well. Snacks are a very small portion of the budget while most of the budget is going towards tutor stipends. Other items needed will be donated by Pekin Altrusa, teachers, or the school. 

The project is expected to help between 15 to 50 students depending on each student's level of need. We expect students to discover the joy of reading while participating in the program. Each participant will get a free book from Pekin Altrusa and potentially receive a library card if they don’t have one. We expect students will read more and visit the library more after participating in the program. We hope to expand the program to reach even more families and schools if proven to be successful. 

Studies show that tutoring is effective. “That extra time to focus and get quality reading is so important,” says Melissa Beckham, president of Pekin Altrusa. “Being a working parent involved in school activities is challenging, especially with more than one child. I’m speaking from experience. Hopefully an after school program can relieve a little pressure and help with much needed additional reading time. Some parents may not be able to read a lot with their child daily because of work and other activities their other kids may have. We’re starting small, but hopefully the success of this project inspires others to donate or volunteer. We’ll try to do it annually as long as we can fund it,” says Melissa. 

To help fund Pekin Altrusa’s After School Reading and Tutoring Program, send checks to: 
Pekin Altrusa
PO Box 3
Pekin, IL 61554

You can also scan the QR Code with your phone’s camera to donate. After lens focus, clink the link.