Sixteen volunteer aides living in inner city Milwaukee were selected according to education (a high school diploma), age (21 years or older), experience working with people, dependability, and availability. They were divided into four groups, and each group was assigned an instructor from the Marquette University reading staff. Ten weekly training sessions stressed the use of a variety of materials and methods for teaching the functionally illiterate. After the training sessions the aides began working with an illiterate adult of their own choosing in a private home setting. The training sessions continued and included evaluation of progress reports and development of planning log books. The aides continued to use the skills and materials acquired in instructing the functional illiterate, some through working with inner city agencies and the public school system. Two aides were given more responsibility in their present positions, and two are considering formal college work to become certified as teachers. Reactions and recommendations for beginning a second phase of this program are given. A list of instructional materials and publishers is appended. (CM)