Wake Up Tri-Counties Etta Talks STEP Ladder Tutoring Program Fall Session and Fundraising

0:00Welcome to the Wake Up Tri-Counties Live Morning Show. It's time for another interview with Ken Peel on Wake Up Tri-Counties. Interviews air on weekdays at 7-11am and 8-30am. Good morning and welcome to Wake Up Tri-Counties. I'm Ken Peel. Thanks for joining us this morning and also joining us today is Ed Elifora, who's the Executive Director of Sunshine Community Services Center. And for more than a decade, the Steps Ladder Tutoring Program has been helping middle school students in Qwani and Weathersfield strengthen their academic skills, build confidence and prepare for success in high school. So Edda, thanks for being here with us this morning. Welcome thanks. You bet you. So for those listeners that maybe aren't familiar with the Step Ladder Tutoring Program, let's talk a little bit about that. How did it get started? The whole thing. Okay. The Step Ladder Tutoring Program is a project of the Sunshine Community Services Center here in

1:04Qwani. And like you said, we serve middle school students in 7th and 8th grade. And we do a summer program at the library at Qwani Public Library. So it started because we had a friend that was actually teaching out at Blackhawk College. Yeah. And she was noticing the struggle with the students. And she was wondering like we had talked and she was wondering when did this start with these kids. Yeah. And so we decided to do a program for middle school kids. Okay. Yes, she wrote it and we put it together and then we went to the schools and see if they would let us actually do it in the schools. Oh wow. Fantastic. Central and Qwani, Weather School. Yeah, I love that. Finding a need. You're right. And then filling that need. Right. That's what we did. That's fantastic. So how long have you been serving at the middle school students in our area? We've been doing these programs since 2012. Okay. We did a pilot in 2011 at the library just to see if it worked. Yeah. And we did. We showed we did pre-imposed tests and it really did help the students.

2:06And they we asked them why they we had them do an evaluation. And they said that they like the one I want to help. Yeah. Like the small group help. Sure. And we helped them to understand how to actually do the problem. Yeah. Yeah. So let's talk about that step ladder tutoring program. And what services are provided through that? Okay. The services we provide. We assist students with homework completion. We prepare, help them prepare for test our quizzes. We help improve skilled master in like core subject areas. And hopefully to improve their attitude towards school and learning. Yeah. Yeah. Right. What's the motto for the program? Okay. The motto for the program is helping one child at a time. And we chose this model because we went. We want every child in our program to believe they are important. And our staff and volunteers will work with them. Individually are in a small group to help them achieve success. Yeah. So the agency Sunshine Community Services Center

3:06have been providing these services for almost 15 years, 14 years. How have you and your board been able to get the funding for this? Okay. First of all, we'd like to thank the schools. They give us space and central provide transportation. Yeah. But then we've had, we have community members that give to us every year. We have some grants that we use. We access like the rotary Kiwannis and United Way. They've been really helpful to us over the years. When we first started, we used to get a really significant grant from McDonald's. Okay. They used to give us a significant grant. And then we did these fundraisers every year. And then we also use, it's an agency called Literacy Volunteers of Illinois. We can get AmeriCorps members from them. So their salary don't have to pay. So they're like volunteer tutors for our program. So we do whatever we can to save costs. Yeah, sure. For sure.

4:06So I know, you know, things have changed over the years in our economy. You know, everything from, we see that the food pantry here in town, you know, they're constantly seeing an increase with people coming. And electric costs, gas costs, energy costs, majoring layoff for employers and stuff like that. So how has your financial situation changed through these tough times? Okay. Well, we like I said, we really appreciate it. The dedicated supporter that we've had over the years. And we, yes, we have seen a reduction in our donations and realized that a lot's going on. Like you said, in a lot of communities, it's a lot going on. And every dollar that's donated, it builds a brighter future for a local child. The gifts that they give, it provides free tutoring, healthy snacks, learning supplies to help middle school students succeed. Yeah. So we do what we can. I went ahead to a presentation at one of the agency meetings and I said, you probably heard,

5:10I told them what was at the La Flora. And I said, you probably heard that she's going around town begging for money. I said, it's true. It's true because I believe what we're doing is important. Yeah. And we are investing, investing in the lives of some young people here in our community. Yeah. One thing I wanted to ask you that's kind of off script a little bit of what we wanted to talk about. But that is why focus on the middle schoolers? Okay. What's the biggest reason for focusing on those? We realize that middle school is a critical time in a child's life. Yeah. I mean, they're not a little kid anymore. Right? They're not a high school kid, you know, high school youth anymore. So they're like in the middle. And a lot of things are going on with these kids. And you can probably ask teachers. They're really emotional. Oh, yeah. And sometimes it's really hard for them to focus. So middle school is a critical period in their lives. And we try to help them get the skills you need. Get some skills here. We'll show you how to study. We'll show you how to take notes.

6:10We'll show you how to keep up on your schoolwork. Yeah. You know, and then if you have these skills before you go to high school, you can actually do it. You can do it. You can do it too, that's true. I wish that it had something like that when I was going to school. I mean, because, you know, the part that struck me was, we'll teach you how to take notes. And we'll teach you how to be prepared. Right. Right. When I was in middle school, we didn't have that. You know, it was a sink or swim situation. So I think this is very cool, a very needed program for sure. And earlier you talked about fundraisers that you guys do. Things like the Tag Days, Fundraisers on Easter and Labor Day weekends. Those are still going on, right? Well, actually, we had to kind of pivot a little bit. We did those usually Easter weekend. We would do Friday and Saturday and did Labor Day. We did Friday and Saturday. But in 2016, actually, I was diagnosed with diabetes. And but continue to work diligently to keep the agency sustainable in our board.

7:11And but and I always made attempts to keep my health, keep myself healthy. Yeah. You know, keep my diabetes under control. Sure. But last year in September of 2025, it was a pivotal point in my life. And I had to do it more severe issues from my diabetes and different symptoms. Yeah. And so of course, you have to take a barrage of tests, just the medication. And then I even had to do physical therapy for a while there. Sure. But I have, I continue to work. A lot of people didn't even know I was dealing with a lot of issues with my health issues. And because I continue to work, we we stay focused and never deterred from the goal of helping these kids succeed in school. Yeah. So so we we really the tag day, we're doing online fun razors now. Okay. And we will be setting up. We'll be telling you how to access that. Okay. All right. So hog base is coming up. Right. Is that part of the hog base thing? Yeah. Are you doing something else? Every day weekend, yeah. Well, one of our board members is going to set up. But go find me. Yeah. Online. And then we also have a link on our website where people can go in and donate.

8:16And our website is www.Senshinecsc.com. Okay. And there's a donations link that you can click on. Do that or you can those that don't like technology, you can mel it in. There you go. PO box 405. Keep one ill and only six one. Four fourth three. All right. Yeah, we'll have this information on our website too at regionalmedianews.com. But people want to get involved with that. So who's eligible to participate in this program? We can serve students. They have to be done with six grades. Okay. After six grade, we do a summer program at the library. So after six grade and you're going into seventh, you can start the program. And you can say in the program for actually three years. Okay. So the summer before you enter high school. So after six grade up till you know, you graduate from eighth, but you can still come that summer before you start high school. So three years of a program. It's really interesting is after the schools approved this, we went in in 2012. But over the years, we've served 242 middle school students.

9:19Oh wow. And people say, oh, that's not that many. But it is if you keep them for three years. Right. Okay. And then we've had 82 volunteers. So over the years, you know, some people volunteer years. Some have volunteered longer. We have AmeriCorps members, but we've had 82 community volunteers and AmeriCorps members and staff that volunteer and help us over the years. That's great. So three years, it's a long time. Yeah. If you make a difference. Oh sure. It actually has some students that actually stayed in the program that long. Yeah. You know, you said that three years makes a big difference. And obviously the goal is to help them improve in their grades. Things like that. But what other changes have you seen in the students other than just grades? But I mean, there's got to be something that with their confidence and, you know, attitude towards school, things like that, right? Definitely. I've had kids come back later when they're in high school. And I actually had a girl just the other day. I saw her at Walmart and she asked me about the tutoring program.

10:20I told her we're going to start actually Tuesday, September 8th. Okay. We're going to start the step ladder tutoring program. But she asked me, could I come back and tutor? Oh wow. Well, that is really... Now that's full circle stuff. That is. It is. And we've actually had some students to do that. They were in tutoring themselves. And when they got older, they came back and helped tutor. And so we've actually, we're still connected to some of these kids. That's very cool. Yeah. So it's really significant to be able to make an impact in their lives. Yeah. And speaking of volunteers, I mean, you could always use volunteers. That would imagine, right? Yes, schools are so kind. They didn't get a fingerprint. Right. So make sure you can pass a fingerprint. Sure, you have to go background check. Yeah, we do that. Everyone don't qualify to be an AmeriCorps member. Sure. Because sometimes you have to do so many hours. Right. Whole year. And so that kind of limits people from being available. But you can volunteer and just as a community member. So do you just call us our main numbers 309-853-7751?

11:23And we can explain the program to you. Yeah, very good. So the organization that you're with Sunshine Community Services, I know that it's more than tutoring. Oh, yes. We do. What other things do you do with the organization? We do some community programs. We do the community black history program. We do a Martin Luther King program up at the library. Sometimes like last year, they did it for us. And then this year we'll be able to do it because we have some AmeriCorps members to help. And we also help with Prairie Chicken Festival. Oh, yeah. So the AmeriCorps members, they have to put in so many hours. So they do other things in the community also. Okay. They help other going to be helping tutor at BlackHop. Yeah. Yeah, we have GD students there that need assistance. And sometimes they help ESL students. Okay. So their role is to we try to get them as many hours in the community as you can. Yeah. And so now the Juneteenth program you came in for earlier. Is that part of what you guys do too? Or is that separate?

12:25That's separate. I'm on a Qwani Human Relations Committee. I'm on that committee. So that was under there. Gotcha. That umbrella. Okay. Yeah. Well, as we look ahead, you know, to this program starting up in the school year, you have some goals for the step ladder tutoring program? Yeah. We have a room that we use at Central. So honestly, we only can serve probably about maybe 10 or 12 kids down there. And they are, I did talk with the regional office of education. So they're starting a program that goes longer than ours. ours only goes from after school to 415. Yeah. But then they have another program that's going to they offer more activities and stuff. So some of our kids usually in the past they they came to us, did homework, then they go to the other program. Yeah. So our goal is really to just help these kids make it get through school. Yeah. You know, for sure. We actually we do one little girl last year.

13:25She was so proud of herself because she really did catch on them what we were saying. Yeah. And she would come in and say, Miss LaFore only have this homework. I only have a little homework and she would do it. And so if these kids, if they really learn to use the available timing class, use that time to get some homework done. Sure. You know, finish up with us then you can go home and have a free evening. Right. Yeah. Right. Yeah. Well, change their attitude towards learning. Right. You know, is such an important thing to do for sure. And so as we wrap things up here today, if people want to learn more or to enroll a student or volunteer or make a donation. Right. Again, give us the information on how they can do that. OK. So they can actually look at our website, www.SunshineCSC.com. We do have a Facebook page also. OK. And on our website, there's a donate link. We're going to set up a GoFundMe starting the Labor Day weekend.

14:25So you'll be able to see that. OK. And then also you can mail donations to PO Box 405, Kiwanil in the way. And our phone number, if you have any questions, want to volunteer and roll a student call 309-8537751. Yeah. Well, appreciate you coming in at a good to see you again. Yeah, thank you. Atta LaFlor is the Executive Director of Sunshine Community Services Center. And we'll have the information on our website, regionalmedianews.com, as well. And thank you. And I just hope that this is a very, very successful school year for the kids. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thanks, Etna. OK. Appreciate that. This is Wake Up Try Counties. Good to have you along with us here this morning. Thank you for listening to Wake Up Try Counties with Ken Peel. Interviews air on weekdays at 7.11 AM and 8.30 AM.