Since 1993, over 2,750 women have come to the Dominican Literacy Center to learn to read, write and speak English. They know that in order to succeed and thrive in their new country, it is necessary for them to learn English. We believe that individual tutoring by trained volunteers is an excellent way to impart language instruction. Our trained volunteers help each woman to understand her strengths and weaknesses, and to use those strengths to learn English. The outcome of this tutoring program is women who can communicate and participate fully in the their families, their communities, and their workplaces. At the Dominican Literacy Center we believe that each woman has a right to have a voice in her new country, and we help her find that unique voice.
Our Staff
Claire Wiesner-Smillie
Executive director
About Claire
Claire was a volunteer tutor at the DLC for 5 years before taking on the role of Executive Director in July 2024. Claire has a background in operations management, human resources, sustainability, and corporate responsibility. Claire has previously worked in wide variety of roles, from construction administration to coffee importing and roasting. Her work has taken her to New Zealand and California, but she is happy to be back serving the community in her home town of Aurora, Illinois. Claire has a passion for lifelong learning, efficient systems, mentoring, and empowering others to reach their full potential. While she is often holed up in her office writing grants or reports and overseeing the administration of the organization, Claire especially loves her job when she has the opportunity to work directly with the students, volunteers and staff at the DLC. Claire is currently pursuing her Masters in Public Administration from Northern Illinois University.
Paula Rossi
ESL Program Coordinator
About Paula
Paula joined the DLC team in May 2025 as the ESL Program Coordinator, a position that allows her to utilize her passion for education and mentorship, as well as her 25 years of English teaching and curriculum writing experience. Paula oversees the ESL tutoring program and works directly with all our ESL volunteers and students through training and ongoing support. Paula served as a volunteer tutor at the Dominican Literacy Center before joining the staff as an administrative team member.
Sr. Jane Ann Beckman, O.P.
Citizenship Program Coordinator
About Sr. Jane Ann
Sr. Jane Ann is a Dominican Sister from Springfield, Illinois. She has taught in various Elementary and High Schools across Illinois, and since 1999, she has served as the Citizenship Program Coordinator at the Dominican Literacy Center, assisting students on their path to become new U.S. citizens. Sr. Jane also tutors women who want to speak, read and write English, and is a member of the administrative team at the Dominican Literacy Center.
Elisa Barocio
Secretary / Interpreter
About Elisa
Elisa first came to the Dominican Literacy Center as a student. After graduating from the program in 2005, Elisa joined the staff and puts her English skills to use as a secretary and interpreter. Elisa finds working at the DLC fulfilling because she loves the opportunities to help people and be present and talk to the students. Many times, students just need somebody to listen to them, and Elisa finds that helping in this way is rewarding. Elisa also loves decorating the Center with cheery seasonal decorations to make the space comfortable and fun!
Elizabeth “Betsy” O’Donnell
Registrar / Testing
About Betsy
Betsy moved to Aurora from Ohio to take on her first job as a high school teacher in 1979. She and her husband raised their family here, and they love the diverse population and opportunities Aurora has to offer. The Dominican Literacy Center is a perfect example of that. Betsy started tutoring at the Center in 2017, and in 2022 became the registrar. Betsy interviews all potential students to get to know them and assess their language level. She feels privileged to meet people from many different countries here in Aurora, IL.
Nadine Stadel
Computer training / Testing
About Nadine
Coming soon!
Corporate Board
The Dominican Literacy Center, Aurora, is a ministry sponsored and guided by the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois. The four members of elected leadership team of the Congregation make up the voting members of the Dominican Literacy Center Corporate Board.
- Sister M. Paul McCaughey Prioress General/Board President
- Sister Joanne Delehanty Vicaress General/Secretary
- Sister Elyse Marie Ramirez Second Councilor/Treasurer
- Sister Kathlyn Mulcahy Third Councilor/Officer
Advisory Board
The role of the Advisory Board is to support the Mission of the Center and to act as a liaison between the Center and the community. An Advisory Board member offers opinions and advice on matters that come before the board, assists with fundraising, expands public awareness of DLC services, and helps the Center to be responsive to community needs and to connect with various groups and businesses in the Aurora area.
2024-2025 Advisory Board Members:
- Saul Olivas (President)
- Mary Kelly (Secretary)
- Andrea Rios Macmillan
- Tannia Galindo
- Dianne L. Hurrell
- Carlos Guillen
- Rosalina Bormann
- Claire Wiesner-Smillie (staff)
- Sr. Jane Ann Beckman (staff)
- Alison Brzezinski (staff)
- Vacant
- Vacant
- Vacant