Book Previews are Featured on our Instagram @aacoliteracy
Follow BOOK FAIR updates on our social media at Facebook and Instagram.
Literacy Council partner, Seeds 4 Success, is holding its annual back-to-school supply drive. If you’d like to purchase items for Seeds 4 Success participants, please visit the organization’s wishlist. Thank you for your support!
Heritage Harbour Fitness Club Supports Our Work
Also in July, the Morning Fitness Club at Heritage Harbour in Annapolis raised $1,000 for our free programs. The Morning Fitness Club is committed to contributing on a regular basis to the welfare of humans and animals in the Annapolis community. Thank you, Heritage Harbour supporters!
The Literacy Council was honored to accept a gift of nearly $3,000 from Sherwood Forest neighbors through the community’s Giving Tree Project. Friends and neighbors gathered for a social occasion and donated funds to support the Literacy Council’s work. We are grateful for this kind and generous gift.
Low literacy costs the US economy over $300 billion a year in lost earnings, lower workplace productivity, higher crime, and more government assistance.
- Reaching level 3 proficiency in literacy and numeracy improves a person’s economic, social, and educational outcomes.
- 80% of people living in poverty read at level 2 or below.
- Those with skills at level 1* or below are four times more likely to live in poverty.
- Children born to parents with low-literacy skills are likely to have low skills themselves, perpetuating poverty and other socioeconomic issues.
Adult education works!
- Increasing a person’s literacy skills by just one level makes them 50% less likely to live in poverty.
- In adult education programs nationwide, 47% of adult learners made gains in skills over the course of a year…
- More than 80% of our students made progress on individual goals in 2025/26.
* People reading at level 1 (the lowest level) can understand very short, simple sentences.
Learn more about adult literacy and skills on ProLiteracy’s Fact Sheet.
The Literacy Council has been awarded critical support from local government for FY27. Grants from the County Executive’s Community Support Grant Program and the City of Annapolis will help make our free programs possible.
We are grateful for this funding, which is essential to our work and mission.
*69 local nonprofits will receive County Executive Community Support Grants.
The Literacy Council was among 69 organizations that will receive funds. $2 million will be distributed among grant recipients. For more information about this program, read the County’s press release.
*The City of Annapolis is backing our mission.
Annapolis also offers a Community Grant Program, and the Literacy Council will be a beneficiary. Funds will support our programs for Annapolis residents.
Last year, we worked with more than 80 Annapolis students. Highlights include that five earned high school diplomas, seven passed a GED section, six got a better job or promotion, 15 improved their ability to communicate in English, and five improved an employability skill.
Refer a Friend to Train With Us
Our fall tutor training session will happen on October 17 at Woods Church in Severna Park!
We’re always looking for new, dedicated tutors and especially need help in northern Anne Arundel County (Glen Burnie and Brooklyn Park). In addition, there are always students from Annapolis and the Severn area on our waiting list. Please consider referring neighbors or friends you think could be committed AACLC tutors.
We’re training new tutors for each of our programs: basic literacy, math, English language learning, and high school diploma preparation.
Interested trainees should contact Jane at director@aaclc.org. Space is limited.
We’d love to have your help with this important fundraiser. We need volunteers on Thursday and Friday evening, Sept 24 and 25, and many on Saturday, the 26th. View opportunities and sign up online. Last year, more than 60 volunteers contributed their time to make the event a success. Friends and family are welcome to help!
Libraries are closed for Sunday service from May 24 through September 6
Community Resources at icanread.org
The Community Resources page on our website at icanread.org features an organized list of government and community resources available to residents of Anne Arundel County. It includes websites and phone numbers for government departments and services, library resources, education, employment, immigration, and food assistance.
The Community Resources page is available in Spanish. En Español: Recursos comunitarios.
Anne Arundel County Food Pantry & Resources
This resources page, published by the Anne Arundel County Food Bank and updated regularly, provides information on where to find free food and basic necessities throughout the county. Pantry locations, contact numbers, and hours are included. Visit the resources page to download a pantry map that lists food, baby, and senior pantries all over Anne Arundel County.
OIC of Anne Arundel County ESL Classes
Free virtual ESL classes at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. Call OIC’s partner, the Center of Help (Centro de Ayuda), at 410-295-3434 to enroll.
Language Exchange at Busch Annapolis Library
Saturday, August 15, 3 – 4:30 pm, in the library cafe
https://www.aacpl.net/event/intercambio-de-idiomaslanguage-exchange-226398
Language Exchange at Linthicum Library
Monday, September 14, 6 – 7 pm
https://www.aacpl.net/event/language-exchangeintercambio-de-idiomas-238073
Language Exchange at Brooklyn Park Library
Wednesday, August 19, 6 – 7:30 pm
https://www.aacpl.net/event/language-exchangeintercambio-de-idiomas-230178
Language Exchange at Riviera Beach Library
Tuesday, August 18
https://www.aacpl.net/event/intercambio-de-idiomaslanguage-exchange-228511
AACLC’s English Conversation Group in Eastport
Monday, August 31, 5 – 7 pm
Seeds 4 Success office
The group is most suited to Spanish speakers, and space is limited to 15 people. The evening features a welcoming atmosphere, enjoyable conversation, games, and light refreshments. Literacy Council tutors or students should email Mary Ellen if they plan to attend.
AACLC’s Crofton English Conversation Group
Gathers 2nd Wednesdays:
Wednesday, August 12, 5 –7 pm
Wednesday, September 9, 5 – 7 pm
Wednesday, October 14, 5 – 7 pm
Crofton Library
The group is open to all English language learners. The evening features a welcoming atmosphere, enjoyable conversation, games, and light refreshments. Literacy Council tutors or students should email Matthew if they plan to attend.
