Empowering Others to Read
“Reading” – Photo by Diego Cervo
Our Organization
The Anne Arundel County Literacy Council (AACLC) is a volunteer, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to serving the needs of adults in Anne Arundel County who are not yet functionally literate, or who are not yet functionally literate in the English language (English Language Learners-ELL). We want to reach our community’s adults who have personally decided to strive for an increased level of literacy. As long as our students don’t give up, neither will our committed volunteers. Our strategy is to remain flexible, working individually with students at their own pace.
Why We Do What We Do
The success of our students, as reported by students and tutors alike, reflects—more than anything else—the heart and soul of our organization. Here are two beautiful examples:
“Maggie Cullman Tells of Student Success”
“How Being a Student Changed My Life”
Our Executive Board
Catie Comer, President
Dr. Michael Keller, Vice President, Development Committee Chair
Megan Jackson, Treasurer and Finance Committee Chairwoman
Michael Green, Corresponding Secretary, Program Chair
Deborah Bennett, Recording Secretary
John Wetzel, Tutor Representative
Caroline Cañas, Member
Mary Austin, Member
CLICK HERE for more biographical details of our Board Members
Our Staff
Our History
Founded in 1977 by six Laubach tutors living in Anne Arundel County, the Literacy Council provides personalized, one-on-one coaching in reading, writing, and math to adults. Many of our students read at a 5th-grade level or lower. Many past students have been successful at raising their reading and math levels significantly; some have gone on to achieve their high school diploma, and some have become successful college students.
AACLC Mission:
Our mission is to teach adults and out-of-school youth at low-literacy and pre-GED levels the reading, math, and English language skills that will promote self-esteem, independence, and strengthen family literacy, enabling them to be active, contributing members of their community.
AACLC Vision:
Anne Arundel County Literacy Council envisions a community where people have achieved their educational goals and are living to their fullest, most fulfilling potential.
Thousands of volunteer hours
Each year, AACLC provides thousands of hours of one-on-one tutoring at no cost to adult students. Currently, we have over 100 student-tutor pairs working to improve the literacy skills of hard-working and courageous adults who want to improve their lives and the lives of their families. Some of our students are working toward goals connected with employment, others are intent upon enriching their lives in retirement. Many of our students have children they want to help to succeed in their own educational journeys. In every case, the goals are set by the students themselves, goals that are relevant to their lives.
We go where the need is
The dedicated volunteers of the Anne Arundel County Literacy Council travel to a variety of locations to serve our students, including those in the prison population, individuals with learning challenges, residents in rehabilitation centers, people who are homeless or who are living in temporary shelter housing, and English Language Learners (ELL), also known as English as a Second Language (ESL) students.
How we work
The AACLC offers one-on-one tutoring at no cost to students. We will provide an initial face-to-face reading and math assessment of any county resident adult (including age 18+ if no longer in school). If assessment results show that we can help the student improve their literacy level, the student is then matched with a trained tutor who meets with them individually for a minimum of one hour per week, varying hours based on the needs and availability of the student. Tutoring is paced to the student’s best learning speed, and most students are provided with reading activities to perform between sessions to enhance their learning. Meeting times and locations are flexible to meet student needs.
Equal Opportunity Statement
The Anne Arundel Literacy Council is committed to equal opportunities policy and practice and ensures that all applicants, volunteers, staff, students, and community partners are treated equally and as individuals.
AACLC IRS Determination Letter
CLICK HERE to view letter.
AACLC By-Laws
CLICK HERE to view By-laws.
Our website Privacy Policy
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