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.
Reminder: our sixth annual BOOK FAIR will happen at Annapolis Mall on Saturday, September 26.
Donate books until the end of this month, or get involved as a book fair volunteer. *NEW* Six AACPL locations are accepting books for the book fair in special indoor donation boxes. Details in this post.
Proceeds from the book fair support our free adult education programs.
Many thanks,
Jane
Save the Date & the Books
Our sixth-annual fundraiser BOOK FAIR will be on Saturday, September 26, at Annapolis Mall. The mall kindly donates its Crate & Barrel Court space for this fantastic event.
If you’d like to help, please see these detailed opportunities and sign up.
Donate Books Now!
We are accepting gently used books at convenient locations around the county until August 31. No textbooks, reference books, or magazines, please.
Email AACLC.bookfair@gmail.com to arrange for book drop-off.
In addition, in August, these local libraries are collecting books inside each branch in special labeled donation boxes for us:
*Broadneck
*Busch Annapolis
*Eastport-Annapolis Neck
*Crofton
*Odenton
*Severna Park
Thank you, AACPL, for your partnership!
Our book drive at Eastport United Methodist Church was a success. Thank you, book donors, volunteers, and Eastport UMC!
Welcome, New Tutors
Sixteen new tutors joined the AACLC volunteer team on June 13. Many of them are already matched with students. Thank you to our training team, these eager new volunteers, and our hosts, Woods Church in Severna Park.
The next session will be scheduled for October, and it will cover tutoring in each of our programs: literacy, math, high school diploma preparation, and ESL. Stay tuned for a date and details.
Please continue referring neighbors or friends you think could be committed AACLC tutors to us.
Interested trainees should contact Jane at director@aaclc.org.
Welcome Mary Ellen Murphy, Tutor Coordinator
I am pleased to introduce Mary Ellen Murphy, AACLC’s new Literacy and ESL Tutor Coordinator. A New Jersey native, Mary Ellen moved to Maryland three years ago with her husband, John. They have three wonderful children and a lot of family in the Annapolis area.
Mary Ellen’s professional background is in coordinating services, where she most recently worked in recruiting and facilitating the hiring of new employees for a number of different companies. She became acquainted with the Literacy Council while searching for volunteer opportunities, and is excited to support the Council with its important work.
In her spare time, Mary Ellen enjoys spending time with friends and family, cooking, reading, and taking advantage of outdoor activities.
Thank you, Wendy!
After more than eight years as a Literacy Council volunteer and almost six as a Tutor Coordinator, Wendy Wellington is retiring from her service with the AACLC.
Wendy has been a remarkable source of support, encouragement, and expertise for both our tutors and the entire team. Her daily presence will be missed.
What an impact you have had over the years — thank you, Wendy!
