We worked with a wonderful group of new tutors on March 25 at our spring training workshop. Thank you for joining us, and welcome to the AACLC team! We had a successful session thanks to our trainers, volunteers, and the amazing staff at Woods Memorial Church. Woods donated its Fellowship Hall and classroom space for the training event.
The Literacy Council’s partners, Chrysalis House and the Annapolis Family Support Center were selected to receive diapers donated through a March 11 Diaper Drive in Gambrills. “GTGGives” — also known as the Good Time Gang — organized and sponsored the drive. So many diapers were donated that we were able to give some to a local nonprofit, Small City Big Dreams Annapolis (diapers were delivered to families), and the Baby Pantry at Discoveries: The Library at the Mall. Thanks to the Good Time Gang and to our volunteers who donated diapers!
Happy National Volunteer Month! Thank you, volunteers, for your generous work with the Literacy Council and in Anne Arundel County. We couldn’t do this without you.
Thanks in part to the dedication of AACLC volunteers, so far this fiscal year, our students are making great progress toward their goals. Here’s some of the news we’ve heard from tutors and students since our fiscal year began last June —
Congratulations, students & tutors!
We try to keep our Community Resources page up to date. Check it out HERE.
Many thanks,
Jane
Jane Seiss, Executive Director
More than 36 million adults in the United States lack basic literacy skills. In fact, according to the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, 54% of adults struggle to read, write, and comprehend, impacting their daily lives.
“This crisis affects all of us — lying at the core of the multigenerational cycles of poverty, poor health, and low educational attainment that impact our families, businesses, communities, and our nation as a whole” — the Barbara Bush Foundation.
The AACLC’s programs address adult literacy needs in Anne Arundel County. To see what literacy looks like in our communities, Maryland, and surrounding areas, visit the Barbara Bush Foundation’s Literacy Gap Map.
“Adult literacy can change everything.” We could save an estimated $106 – $238 billion a year in healthcare costs if we eliminated low adult literacy in the United States. Get more facts on adult literacy at https://www.proliteracy.org/
Continue your tutor training by participating in free webinars for trained tutors. This resource from ProLiteracy provides best-practice instructional strategies. Four training areas are offered: Basic Literacy Instruction, English Language Learning, HSE Instruction, and Using Published Materials.
Webinars are about an hour long, and in follow-up, optional small-group coaching is available, as well as handouts and slide presentations. Webinars in each area are listed by date, and past webinars are also available for viewing.
Tutors must log in to their ProLiteracy account to access the webinars. Please let Wendy or Jane know if you need the Literacy Council’s membership number when creating an account.
On March 4, to celebrate National Reading Month, we attended Severna Park Tutoring & Educational Advocacy‘s community literacy event to spread the word about our work with adults and to receive donated children’s books for our book fair. Thank you, Severna Park Tutoring!
I hope you are enjoying a good book this National Reading Month. My most recent reading pleasure has been Agent Josephine by Damien Lewis, about the courageous work of glamorous superstar Josephine Baker as a spy during World War II. Reading has always been one of my favorite pastimes. It inspired me to sign up to volunteer with the Literacy Council in 2017.
Of course, the AACLC does much more than teach reading. We also offer ESL, math, diploma, ASVAB preparation tutoring, and more. There is a great need for these services in our county. Read this month’s newsletter for news on local support for our services and statistics on adult literacy.
Why did you and your student get involved with the Literacy Council? What books or stories are you reading? We would love to know!
Many thanks,
Jane
P.S. We update this list of community resources as we get new information: Community Resources 2023
Jane Seiss, Executive Director
Literacy Lights the Way artwork created by Literacy Council supporter and volunteer Anita Ewing, a local artist:
Jane Seiss, Executive Director
