Free Income Tax Service for Taxpayers Earning Under $60,000

March 21, 2023

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AACC Offers Free Income Tax Service for Taxpayers Earning Less Than $60,000

VITA, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program provided through Anne Arundel Community College’s School of Business and Law, has returned after a pandemic break. Trained, supervised volunteer students and alumni are available to prepare federal and state tax returns. Appointments are required, and they are available through April 8. This year, taxes must be submitted by April 18. Visit the AACC website for more information and to make an appointment.

Director’s Message February 2023

February 22, 2023

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Black History Month  •  Valentine’s Day

We are looking forward to a spring New Tutor Training session on March 25 (CLICK HERE for details) — please email us to sign up. But, before that, we have some announcements and celebrations to enjoy this month. They’re listed below with links to more information elsewhere in this website.
Happy Valentine’s Day & Happy Black History Month,
Jane
Jane Seiss, Executive Director AACLCJane Seiss, Executive Director
Anne Arundel County Literacy Council

 

Celebrate Black History Month

February 22, 2023

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  • Did you know? The Banneker-Douglass Museum in downtown Annapolis is Maryland’s official museum of African-American heritage. Its mission is “documenting, interpreting, and promoting African-American history.” Visit bdmuseum.maryland.gov for information on all Banneker-Douglass Museum offerings, including art and history exhibits, activities, programs, a virtual tour, and a dedicated YouTube channel.
  • Anne Arundel Community College is celebrating Black History Month with art exhibits, workshops, a spoken word evening where locals can RSVP to share their art, and movie screenings. To learn more about AACC’s plans, visit aacc.edu/black-history.
  • On February 19 at 1 pm, Maryland Hall will host Freedom Way: A Blueprint of African American Resistance and Liberation in the United States. Freedom Way is an exhibition and presentation that was created and will be narrated by Bishop Craig Coates, a local pastor and historian. From Maryland Hall’s website: “Freedom Way is a music and art collection of boldly framed graphic posters, each depicting words and pictures of some of the many milestones and inhumanities experienced by Black people on the long road to freedom from enslavement.” For more information, visit https://www.marylandhall.org/events/freedom-way-exhibition-presentation/2023-02-19/.
  • Visit Anne Arundel County Public Library’s website at aacpl.net/blackhistory for a calendar of events that celebrate Black history, as well as Black History Month Booklists.

AACLC Student Success: Kelly G.

February 22, 2023

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Congratulations to Literacy Council student Kelly G. who worked diligently with her tutor Frank Mackowick to study for the ASVAB. The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a multiple-aptitude battery that measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success in the military. It is administered annually to more than one million military applicants, high school, and post-secondary students.

Kelly passed the test with a great score, opening a path to excellent opportunities with the U.S. Army. Kelly is now getting ready for basic training, and Frank has just begun tutoring another student in preparation for acceptance into the military.

The Cost of Low Literacy: $2.2 Trillion

February 22, 2023

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“Adult literacy can change everything.” Bringing all adults to the equivalent of a sixth-grade reading level would generate an additional $2.2 trillion in income for the United States. — ProLiteracy.

Get more facts on adult literacy at https://www.proliteracy.org/Adult-Literacy-Facts.

Tutor Resources: Phonics and Science of Reading

January 26, 2023

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Globe with word newsFrom the New York Times: In Memphis, the Phonics Movement Comes to High School

At high schools in Memphis, children are using reading strategies to improve their reading and understanding of the material in their classes, even science courses. This article by education reporter Sarah Mervosh explains how the Memphis program is part of a nationwide trend to teach children to read using what is known as “the science of reading.” Read the article here (gift link). The Laubach Way to Reading adult literacy materials we use, including Focus on Phonics, provide phonics-based instruction.

Podcast on the Science of Reading

In case you’d like to know more about how reading is taught in American schools and how things are changing, check out this listen:

Hard Words: a podcast from American Public Media (APM) and journalist Emily Hanford. What happened in Bethlehem, PA, when the school district adopted methods of teaching reading that honored research findings?

Thank You, Rotary Club of Annapolis!

January 20, 2023

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Our thanks to the Rotary Club of Annapolis for its Crab Feast Grant! The funds the club donated to the Literacy Council will help pay for ESL materials for students in Annapolis.

New Tutor Training March 25, 2023

January 18, 2023

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On March 25, we will host a New Tutor Training Workshop for trainees interested in working with literacy, ESL, math, and high school equivalency students. The session will happen at Woods Church in Severna Park from 8:30 am until about 3 pm. Space is limited. Please email Jane to inquire about attending.

Director’s Message January 2023

January 18, 2023

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Happy New Year fireworksWelcome, 2023! We are already looking forward to what this year holds for our students, volunteers, and communities.

In 2022, our volunteers continued their great work, and students accomplished so much. Whether registering to vote and voting for the first time, reading a book to a child, improving English language skills, getting a new job, or earning a high school diploma, our students achieved an impressive range of goals…

Some highlights:

  • Five students earned high school diplomas in 2022.
  • One student passed the U.S. citizenship test.
  • One student got her nursing license.
  • Students continued or started their studies at AACC.
  • Several students made a healthy lifestyle change.
  • Students continued registering to vote and have voted.
  • Students worked on resumes and interviewing skills, then sought new jobs and were hired. Since our fiscal year began on June 1, six students have gotten new or better jobs!
  • Many students got library cards and began using them.
  • Several ESL students improved their ability to communicate in English through conversation, email, and texting.
  • Many students increased confidence in their abilities, gained consumer skills, or improved employability skills.

Our team is also celebrating these volunteer milestones:

  • 47 new tutors joined us in 2022.
  • We are tutoring at the Jennifer Road Detention Center and the Ordnance Road Correctional Center.
  • Collectively, our volunteers donated more than 13,000 hours in our communities last year.

Congratulations, all!

Thank you for making a difference in Anne Arundel County.

Happy New Year,

Jane Seiss, Executive Director AACLCJane Seiss, Executive Director
Anne Arundel County Literacy Council

 

ESL Student Qamar

ESL student Qamar is ready to begin 2023 with Challenger 5. His goals include improving his writing in English.

 

Education Quote

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Community Resources

December 23, 2022

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AA County Partnership Warm Line

The Anne Arundel County Partnership for Children, Youth, and Families is now accepting calls for resources or basic needs assistance through its Warm Line at 1-800-485-0041. Residents may call the Warm Line with all basic needs, including housing, food security, resources for parents, family navigation, and more.

Students and Tutors Access The Baltimore Banner Using Your Library Card

Anne Arundel County Public Library card holders can now read The Baltimore Banner, a nonprofit news website launched earlier this year that covers the Baltimore region. Visit AACPL’s website to sign in using your library card number.

AACLC’s Online Literacy Library

The Literacy Council offers an extensive list of online resources on our website under the “Volunteers” drop-down tab at the top of each page. Check out Literacy Library: Tutor Tools & Resources for comprehension, phonics, spelling, grammar, math, diploma prep, ESL, and other resources. If you have found something useful in your tutoring experience, please pass it on to us so that we can share it on this webpage.

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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.
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