MILWAUKEE -- One in six adults in Milwaukee has low literacy skills. But one couple is working with Milwaukee Achiever to change that.

The organization, established in 1983, helps adults learn English, get their GED, and even gain citizenship.

Wendy and Bill Cetera are two of a little more than 200 volunteers who are helping immigrants learn how to speak English.

Wendy has been volunteering with Milwaukee Achiever since she retired from her job as an MPS librarian five years ago. She meets with her learners for an hour and a half a week for as long as they need her.

Her first learner soon became a friend.

"My Maria-she went to MATC so I felt like she spread her wings and flew," said Wendy.

She helped the woman gain citizenship to the United States all while polishing up on her English.

"They're so appreciative of everything," said Wendy. "You feel like 'I'm not doing that much, I'm just reaching out a little hand.'"

Wendy was given a five year volunteer award in May for all her work with Milwaukee Achiever.

"Five years! I coulnd't believe it was five years, it seemed like just a little bit of time," said Wendy.

Three years after she started, Wendy recruited her husband to tutor too.

"If you're proficient at reading and you're reasonably good at communicating you're a natural. You can do it," said Bill a retired architect.

Bill meets with his learner, Xi Zheng, once a week for an hour and a half. They read words, sentences, and articles to work on her English.

"My mom is Chinese and my husband is Chinese so we always talk about China," said Zheng, who moved to the U.S. in September 2009. "If I come here (Milwaukee Achiever) I must speak English and I think my English can improve."

She also meets in a group class with her mother, who has been going to Milwaukee Achiever for six years.

"The people here are very friendly. They teach me a lot of things," said Zheng. "Bill teaches me American life and he taught me about Milwaukee's famous things."

But not everyone can get help right now at Milwaukee Achiever. There are 40 people on a waiting list, trying to get in. In 2009, nearly 1,800 learners spent time at Milwaukee Achiever.

If you'd like to volunteer, log onto www.milwaukeeachiever.org