Adult Literacy Resources January 2026

January 27, 2026

Post image for Adult Literacy Resources January 2026

211 Maryland

Help is a call or text away.

For anyone facing difficulties, dialing 2-1-1 connects callers with trained health and human services personnel who provide guidance and help with a range of needs, from utility assistance to legal guidance to mental health help.

211 help is available in more than 100 languages. Please see 211md.org to know all that the service offers. Calls are confidential, and there is a texting option as well.

Community Resource Information on our Website

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 & Resource List

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, January 31, 3 – 4:30 pm

https://www.aacpl.net/event/hold-language-exchange-210591

Online English Conversation Club

Thursday, February 12, 6:30 – 7:30 pm

https://www.aacpl.net/event/copy-english-conversation-club-206714

Language Exchange at Linthicum Library

Monday, February 16, 6 – 7 pm

https://www.aacpl.net/event/language-exchangeintercambio-de-idiomas-210585

Language Exchange at Brooklyn Park Library

February 18, 6 – 7:30 pm

https://www.aacpl.net/event/language-exchangeintercambio-de-idiomas-211110

Director’s Message January 2026

January 27, 2026

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Happy New Year!

We achieved so much in 2025 and are ready for another year of student success. Please see these posts for a brief recap of our fiscal year so far and highlights of all we accomplished in 2025.

Thank you for your kindness and generosity throughout our annual membership campaign. We very much appreciate your support.

Happy New Year,

Jane

[click to continue…]

2025 Recap!

January 27, 2026

2025 Recap

What a Year! January – December 2025 Recap in Brief

Student Success Stories

From the Tutoring Field

Literacy Council Activities

  • Eastport Conversation Group & Seeds 4 Success Partnership Grows
  • Tutoring at Jennifer Road Detention Center and Ordnance Road Correctional Center Continues
  • AACLC Develops & Adopts a Comprehensive Five-Year Strategic Plan — please stay tuned for more information.

FY26 Accomplishments So Far

January 27, 2026

Students have achieved many impressive goals, big and small — all contributing to a better quality of life.

Some highlights:

  • Four students earned high school diplomas. Four students passed at least one section of the GED.
  • Six students got better jobs or promotions.
  • Fourteen students improved an employability skill.
  • Seven students pursued other forms of education or training.
  • Twenty-one students improved their English communication skills.
  • Six students increased their involvement in a child’s education.
  • Nine students attained a consumer skill.
  • One student passed the ASVAB exam to enter the US military.
  • Two students got driver’s licenses.

The ripple effect of these accomplishments creates a cycle of opportunity that benefits students, families, communities, and our local economy.

The Literacy Council’s fiscal year began on June 1, 2025, and ends on May 31, 2026.

Membership Donations

December 23, 2025

Giving Tuesday

Thank you for supporting

the Anne Arundel County Literacy Council

on Giving Tuesday and throughout our Membership Campaign.

If you haven’t submitted your AACLC Membership donation and would like to,

you can give through

AACLC’s icanread.org donate page

OR

by check.

mail to: AACLC, P.O. Box 1303, Edgewater, MD 21037

AACLC Receives Grant

December 22, 2025

Thank you! Rotary Club of Annapolis

Literacy Council Receives 2025 Rotary Crab Feast Grant

The Rotary Club of Annapolis has awarded the Literacy Council a 2025 Crab Feast Grant. The funds we received will purchase materials for Annapolis adults in our math and high school diploma programs.

🦀 This was the Club’s 80th annual crab feast. Since 2005, the Rotary Club of Annapolis has awarded over $1 million in grants via the Crab Feast grant program. Thank you, Rotary Club of Annapolis!

The Power of Picture Books

December 21, 2025

The Power of Picture Books

AACLC tutors — please consider joining us for a tutor workshop: The Power of Picture Books, offered by an AACLC tutor who recently graduated with a Master’s degree in Children’s and Young Adult Literature.

Tuesday, January 6

3 – 4:30 pm

Severna Park Library

In The Power of Picture Books, we will explore how picture books can be used to teach adults who are learning English as a second language.

Some might say that picture books are meant only for children; however, they are written and illustrated by adults for everyone. Multicultural picture books, in particular, give voice to refugee and immigrant stories. The words and illustrations are poetic and descriptive, powerfully constructed and purposefully placed to share culturally authentic lived experiences.

Please RSVP to Jane.

AACLC Students Graduate

December 20, 2025

Maria Pineda receives her high school diploma at AACC.

Literacy Council Students Awarded Diplomas at AACC High School Graduation Ceremony

On November 24, Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) hosted its annual High School Graduation Ceremony, and Literacy Council students Sandra Garcia-Justo, Maria Pineda, and Norys Perdomo were there to accept their diplomas. Council tutors, staff, and a representative from our Board of Directors cheered our students on as they received their awards and celebrated.

AACLC student, Maria Pineda, gave a moving speech that evening. Maria began her studies with the Literacy Council about seven years ago, when she entered our ESL program. Her goal at the time was to improve her English.

For years, Maria dreamed of getting her high school diploma. She has achieved her goal! “It’s never too late — learn and grow,” Maria said in her speech at the ceremony.

Congratulations to all our students who earned high school diplomas this year. Many thanks to the tutors who helped these students achieve their goals.

Graduates Sandra Garcia-Justo (left) and Norys Perdomo (right) with their tutor, Beverly Nash, at the AACC ceremony.

Graduates Sandra Garcia-Justo (left) and Norys Perdomo (right) with their tutor, Beverly Nash, at the AACC ceremony.

Partnership News

December 19, 2025

AACLC & AFSP Partnership

Annapolis Family Support Program & AACLC Partnership News

By Rachel Coffman, Education Coordinator, Annapolis Family Support Center

I am writing to share an update on the ongoing partnership between the Annapolis Family Support Program (AFSP) and the Anne Arundel County Literacy Council (AACLC).

Our mission at AFSP is to support participants in establishing and completing their goals, including educational ones, through collaboration with community programs that promote self-sufficiency. Since 2021, our partnership with AACLC has been crucial in advancing this mission by providing one-on-one tutoring in a supportive environment.

This collaboration is especially effective for students who often face challenges with self-doubt regarding their abilities. We are pleased to report that our students are making consistent educational gains every year.

This fiscal year, we are celebrating the tremendous achievement of two parents who completed their GEDs. These students received one-on-one tutoring through AACLC while attending AFSP adult education classes. Despite moments of uncertainty, the support from our collaborative efforts allowed them to achieve their goal, and they are now celebrating by walking the stage in their caps and gowns.

Every individual and family we support together is a win. These successes build opportunities for further personal development and lifelong skill-building. Our expanding partnership—from resource connection to social support—is both effective and appreciated by the community we serve.

Thank you for your continued support of this valuable collaboration.

An AACLC Thanksgiving Celebration

December 18, 2025

AACLC Eastport conversation group's Thanksgiving celebration

The Literacy Council’s Eastport conversation group celebrated Thanksgiving last month. The table was beautifully decorated, with a buffet of traditional Thanksgiving food from Main & Market Catering.

AACLC tutor, Nancy Robinson, who organized the event, provided handouts about Thanksgiving and, with tutor Dionna Lynch, led a discussion on Thanksgiving traditions and a vocabulary flashcard game.

Attendees were happy and grateful to spend an evening together recognizing this American holiday. Thanks to Nancy, Dionna, and Seeds 4 Success for providing an inclusive and welcoming space for all.

Donations from Homestead Gardens and Main & Market Catering helped make the Thanksgiving gathering possible. We are grateful for their kindness.

The Literacy Council’s conversation group is taking a break for the month of December and will resume in January.

Homestead Gardens Main & Market

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