Loudoun Literacy Council

I am an 11 year old who recently started volunteering with the Loudoun Literacy Program. I was helping out with book labeling and loved it. It reminded me of all the books that I had read when I was younger and at book clubs. The job was fun and easy.

The Loudoun Literacy Program is awesome and should continue their great work!

Loudoun Literacy Council not only provides services to the community, they do it by putting their heart and soul into the community. The widely impacting services give community members 360 degree assistance. This is a top notch organization and grateful to have it in Loudoun County, VA.

A great contributor to the cultural and social literacy in Loudoun county with great staff who feel their responsibility from their heart.

My son was looking for service hours within his community, I learned of LLC at a networking event and reached out to their wonderful volunteer coordinator. She got back to me that day with a list of ways students can earn service hours. We immediately set into motion a book drive within our neighborhood and collected over 250 books. Since then, my son has continued to support the Literacy Council with book drives and volunteering at Family Book Parties to see his efforts in action.

We are proud to have supported Loudoun Literacy Council over the last 3 years and been able to donate over 1,500 books to our neighbors who may not have books in the home.

I reached out to the Loudoun Literacy Council in hopes of running a book drive with them for my school’s National Honor Society. They were happy to help and even offered our members more volunteer opportunities than we had expected, which was super helpful in completing our hours! Margie, the volunteer head, was significantly amazing. She was very understanding with my schedule as a student, kind, and very communicative. NHS at Loudoun County HS is very happy to have the opportunities given to us by the LLC and always happy to help!

The Loudoun Literacy Council greatly impacts students! The organization promotes positivity around reading, which is so important for all students. My young students enjoy receiving monthly books that they put into their provided book bins. We are so lucky to have them coming into our schools!

I've been volunteering with the Loudoun Literacy Council for about six months now, mainly assisting with social media posts. It's really been a pleasure volunteering for this organization; everyone that I've interacted with has been extremely kind and always professional. It's a great feeling know that I play a small part in this organization's important work.

I had the privilege of association with the outstanding management and staff running the Loudoun Literacy Council.
The main objective for this nonprofit organization is serve the Loudoun County residents with exceptional professional services.

Hi I’m Antharya Anjaneya and I’m a junior and John Champe! I volunteer with Loudoun Literacy Council as an opportunity from the Claude Moore Builders program. I was given the opportunity to work at the summer school program at Buffalo Trail, and it was truly an amazing experience. I got to form bonds with all the kids and let them know I was here to help at any time! It showed me everyone’s lives can be very different and we all go through hardships. I would read, explain, and carefully read and assist the kids and teacher that needed my help! I am so grateful for all the new connections I made in the office and the school!

I started volunteering with Loudoun Literacy this year as a graphic designer. I helped create a few flyers for them to spread the word about the programs and classes they provide. It was amazing for me to see just how much help they provide to the community including book drives, citizenship preparation, learning English, GED preparation, financial literacy, and so much more. Everyone I've come in contact with had a deep devotion to the work they were doing. They cared about the people who would come to the classes and were kind and caring with volunteers like me.

I worked with the Loudoun Literacy Council for my Eagle Scout Project, and they were very easy to work with. They made it less stressful to complete the project

My plan upon retiring was to teach ESL and LLC provides a positive, helpful setting to do so. LLC is very supportive of the volunteers. Sterling Library has been very helpful in providing space and assistance. Processes to admit students to the program are always evolving to be as efficient as possible. Students are eager to learn and are appreciative of the opportunity to learn despite many obstacles (job, family needs). They want to progress and many have degrees from their home country. LLC offers guidance and resources as well as assistance from peer ESL volunteers that can give tips on class activities to promote learning and increasing student interaction and conversation. LLC is impressive given its own growth and development (i.e. -classes in finance, health; interns from George Mason University and recognition from multiple agencies).
I have had a positive, pleasant experience that promotes my own growth as well as having a great appreciation for what the students struggle to do to get an education and aspire to greater things.

Loudoun Literacy Council provides more than instruction and assistance; it provides hope. Loudoun Literacy Council is an organization full of warm, welcoming people looking to help anyone who is seeking to learn to improve themselves, their families, or their communities. I have volunteered in multiple capacities with Loudoun Literacy Council and with each person I met, there is a true dedication to helping others, especially those new to this country. Through their English instruction, GED preparation, school and jobsite programs, etc., this organization gives so much to so many to help them achieve their American dream. So many of my students have just arrived in this country, seeking a better life for their families. To understand all that they have given up to be here, it is easy to give any of my time to help them. To think about how hard it is to live in a country where you don't know the language or customs, these students are doing something incredible (not to mention how hard of a language English is to learn!). The work of Loudoun Literacy Council does so much good for populations around the county who are desperate for help to achieve their dreams and provide safety and security for their family. Thank you for the opportunities to help our neighbors!

Finding out about this wonderful organization has been so amazing. I have always loved reading and wanted to find a way to ensure others have the ability.

Loudoun Literacy Council has been a blessing to my family and neighborhood collecting books and passing on our love of reading to others.

Loudoun Literacy continues to change lives in our community through their School Success program offering non English speaking parents the chance to learn how to communicate with teachers and staff and navigate the online portals used at the public schools. The impact on these parents is amazing. They are so appreciative for this learning opportunity and we see how this has a positive effect on the their students and overall school community. Communication is the key to learning!

Wonderfully productive local literacy organization serving a large population. They hold a lot of events and classes for both adults and children. I personally love the fun aspect of their fundraising events.

Loudoun Literacy Council is very dear to my heart because I have walked in the shoes of the people we serve. LLC does not only help the person learning english but helps the whole family improove their life and economic standards. I am honored to be a board member.

I am honored to be a Board member of an organization that is run with talent, skill, commitment and heart. Loudoun Literacy works hard to meet our clients where they are, creating programs to meet specific needs in our community -- from early childhood literacy and school programs helping parents communicate with their child’s school to adult English classes to jobsite literacy programs. My jaw dropped at the incredible and nimble pivot Loudoun Literacy quickly made during COVID to continue to get books to children and to offer English classes online for free. The dedication this group has for empowering children, families, and adults to reach their goals for a better future is truly amazing and creates a sense of community with our clients.

I enjoy helping people. Helping kids get books is something I like to do. My Boy Scout Troop volunteered at a book party. Me and my friends helped by carrying books to give away and moving tables so families could enjoy a fun night out. We were doing service hours and got to see the happy faces of the people we were helping. That made me happy.

orking with Loudoun Literacy Council over the past few years has been a complete joy. I have witnessed the impact they make in the community by promoting literacy and helping children and their families in the community through reading and education.

Jermaine C., member of Loudoun County Sigma Mu Mu Chapter , Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

My story in brief
I'm Abderrazaq Mihamou , My friends call me "ZAQ" to simplify.
I'm father of 2 children RIM the older she has 31 years old, and Nabil 29 years old. They are installed in CANADA, after graduation of Canadian universities.
I am a newcomer to USA From Morocco since 7 months, to join my wife after my retirement, she is nurse and lives in the USA for 30 years old.
In Morocco in my previous life in Morocco, I managed my 2 companies that operate in IT and training engineering.
My university curriculum, I am a specialist in computer science with several graduates in Financial Management and Trade Technique, certified professional coach and ex academic teacher in a high school of commerce of Casablanca.
I am very active in the associative world and I am the founding president of Optimist International Morocco.
All my studies have been realized in French, that's why I'm going back to English to develop my communication in American language and be able to share my experience with the community .
I Aspire to Integrate A Local Association and do Volunteer Work to Train More and Perfect My Communication and To Discover My Moroccan Ancestral Culture and why not write to my book projects in English.
My Email : abderrazaq@gmail.com

Being involved with Loudoun Literacy Council is very rewarding. The level of commitment from the staff and volunteers is inspiring.
As an immigrant, I understand the need to have a place to go learn English and basic civic duties; Loudoun Literacy Council works had to serve its community.

I needed to improve my English when we moved to the United States of America to perform professionally and for my personal life because I speak French.
I chose Loudoun Literacy for The English class because this is the cheaper program I could find in my area and their schedule is flexible.
I started in the Intermediate level at Cascades Library for the in-person class and now I'm in the Advanced class with a free course online. I want to say thank you to Loudoun Literacy for that.
I've been better in my listening and speaking since then because the course gives me an opportunity to listen, talk and speak with the teacher and the other students.
With this course, I become more confident, I know a lot of usual words and I perform in my job to better understand what we're talking about and in my personal life I can discuss now with other people like our neighbor, friends.
I appreciate the Loudoun Literacy English program.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn and teach with the Loudoun Literacy Council. In May of 2020, Karen Feldman asked me whether I'd like to teach in western Loudoun County for a team of employees at a local winery. I eagerly accepted because I wanted to help others in my community and I wanted to re-enter teaching. Though I am passionate about learning and teaching languages, I am also passionate about people. My students at the winery taught me so much over the last year; they are hard working, self sacrificing, and dedicated to lifting each other up. Additionally, the Loudoun Literacy Council provided me with the support and materials needed to provide weekly lessons for my students, many of whom are migrant workers. I hope to stay in touch with the Loudoun Literacy Council and my students in the years to come and as you can probably tell, I am grateful for this opportunity and experience.

Hello Lauren!
I am from Armenia, I have been living here since 2016. I live in Stirling and enjoy learning English. I started with the alphabet and thanks to your classes I can now communicate with my neighbors and with new friends. But I want to improve my English so that I can speak fluently and understand movies. Thank you all of you.
I am taking an online class with Kyra Perlmutter. And also I was taking classes with Deb Yoon long time, Sarah Ali and was joining the conversation group with Martin and Nurus Saba, Mohamed . I am not working I am taking care of my grandchildren ,improving my English. I would be happy if Everything could be repeated.
I live with my family here. I like many movies such as,, The Bridges of Madison,, ,,The Iron Lady,,… I like all movies with Meryl Streep in. I prefer movies with Richard Gere, Robert De Niro, Julia Roberts etc.
Siancerely,
Silva

Very good program! It helped me communicate in English. I wish I could keep this program going.

Loudoun Literacy Council (LLC) brings the gift of reading to the community! I love volunteering with LLC because it provides quality reading materials and allows so many the opportunity to dive into the wonderful world of reading.
Literacy is near and dear to my heart as I have been an avid reader since I was in 1st grade. I appreciate that so many children and adults will experience the joy of reading because of the work that goes on at LLC. I will continue to volunteer with Loudoun Literacy Council because they are well respected, and they are making a positive difference in the community.

I joined the Loudoun Literacy Council team in the summer of 2018 as a volunteer adult literacy instructor and have been so inspired by my participation with this wonderful organization. Top-notch staff with impressive capacity and compassion, remarkable participants with a drive for learning that is unmatched, and a supportive group of fellow volunteers all make the experience an overwhelmingly positive one! It takes a village to uplift our community in these challenging times and Loudoun Literacy Council is doing just that through community partnerships with local businesses, schools and other service providers. I am proud to spread the word far and wide about the great accomplishments of this organization because I see firsthand how mission-driven they are and I am glad to be a part of it.

As a child of Head Start in the late 70s, the mission of the Loudoun Literacy Council is very close to my heart. Were it not for the dedication of people like the Literacy Council's staff, volunteers, and board members in my own childhood, I would not have been able to become the first in my family to attend college. I appreciate being able to 'pay it forward' as a volunteer and wholeheartedly support their efforts since I've personally since the difference work likes their makes in the lives of others.

Loudoun Literacy Council provides great educational services to many children and their families in Loudoun County. I am honored to be a board member of this great organization because as an immigrant myself I know how important is to learn a new language to improve one's life

I am appreciative for all that LLC does for our local community. It makes me happy to see little faces brighten up when receiving new books. Impressed by the early reading programs as well as the ENGLISH classes taught by the group of volunteers. My HOA community opened up their doors to LLC to teach ESL in 2019. It was welcomed with opened arms. We are eager to have them come back again. Loudoun Literacy Council is my TOP nonprofit organization.

Loudoun Literacy Council is an great non-profit that provides critical engish literacy services to children, adults and families in Loudoun County. The impact this organization provides to the community is significant and it helps raise the confidence level of the individual, family and the community as a whole.

Loudoun Literacy Council has done a wonderful job in engaging the Community in the Past few years with Nikki Daruwala, the Executive Director leading the charge.

I am proud to be affiliated with this great non-profit as a Board Member and the life-impacting services they provide to our community! Great Job Loudoun Literacy Council & Nikki Daruwala!!!

It is remarkable to see the transformative impact Loudoun Literacy has in our region.

I began my journey with the Loudoun Literacy Council as a volunteer teacher of ESOL classes for adults. I have always wanted to do this type of volunteer work, as I believe that literacy is vitally important to all. I was trained by the Loudoun Literacy Council and have received great materials and support from them. I was so impressed with their work in our community that I gladly accepted a position on the Board of Directors and continue to volunteer in that capacity. I am very impressed with Nikki Daruwala and the high-level, strategic thinking she brings to the Council and look forward to supporting its important work going forward.

I've had a great experience volunteering for the Loudoun Literacy Council. The work they do in our community makes a real difference for individuals (both children and adults) and their families. I'm proud to be a part of that.

I really enjoy volunteering for them. They provide lots of resources and training. I endorse them fully.

I work as a child caretaker, for a single parent of two young boys. Mom works full time and is tired when she gets home. There are very few children's books in the home, because Mom basically doesn't think about reading to the boys, and because of this, the boys don't think much about reading. This is a common scene in many households today. Add in the element of English being the second language of the parent, and the challenge becomes even greater. That's where the Loudoun Literacy Council comes in! The programs they work with in the schools, help the head start kids develop a love for stories and books. Their reading programs in the shelters, and their book gifts to low income families, help spark a desire to grow in literacy, and help these families to feel cared for. The literacy council also works hard to bring awareness of the needs to our business community, which is vital to the resourcing and making a difference.
The work of Loudoun Literacy provides needed help to families who simply need a heads up as to the value, a leg up as to the resource help, and a thumbs up as they succeed! I'm proud of our County for having a Literacy Coucil! Thank you Sara Anderson, for getting me connected!

I am on the board of a local volunteer organization and Nikki was kind enough to come speak at one of our club meetings. Since that time our club has had the opportunity to volunteer at a couple of their events. Everyone that works for Loudoun Literacy is a pleasure to work with. They are accommodating, flexible and passionate about their mission. One of the events we had the pleasure of volunteering at a book party. The event from start to finish was fun and engaging. It was great to see such a large turn out of families with children of all ages and be able to help them participate in the events activities. One of our club members was even able to read one of the stories to the children.

This is a great organization and I know our club looks forward to more volunteer events in the future!

Who enjoys feeling left out? As a traveler in various parts of the world, I know what estrangement feels like when language skills are weak. I don't get the jokes, or good service, or proper care for my family. It's uncomfortable and downright scary to be in that situation.

I also know how awesome it feels to come to a new community and be given the chance to use my skills to help others.

Loudoun Literacy Council connects people who need language skills with people who need to feel useful. It's a win-win program that not only connects student with teacher, but does so in a way that is organized, supportive and successful. Way to go, LLC! Over the last four years, you enhanced my life because you allowed me to enhance the lives of others.

As a child, I was blessed to grow up in a home where reading and literacy were an integral part of my development. Without the strong focus on literacy in my family, I wouldn't be where I am today as a CPA and member of our community. I'm a strong believer that literacy opens the door to opportunity which is why I'm so proud to serve on the Board of the Loudoun Literacy Council as Treasurer as we impact the Loudoun community for good!

Clint Thomas, CPA, CVA

I have been on the Board for a year and have seen the tremendous impact Loudoun Literacy Council is having on our clients' lives. Executive Director Nikki Daruwala is broadening Loudoun Literacy Council's visibility in the community through strategic partnerships and program expansions. It is an exciting time to be a part of this vital organization!

After 4 years as a volunteer teacher with LLC, I'm finding my experience more rewarding than ever. One feature of Loudoun's rapid economic and demographic growth is the remarkable number of new immigrants from all corners of the globe. Many of my students have been here less than year, in some cases no more than a few weeks or months. LLC classes provide for many of them a useful first step in gaining the English skills necessary for their new life. I have noticed also that LLC classes serve to build a sense of confidence and community for my students, both by helping to introduce them to their new environment and by serving as a vehicle to build new friendships with their fellow students.

Appreciate the professionalism of the staff and volunteers. They do great work in our community.

I've been a board member for over two years now. I am most impressed with the commitment our staff has in striving to improve the lives of those who need English assistance. They are dedicated, creative, and passionate about improving literacy in Loudoun County.

Classes are good and information is very helpful. The teachers are also very helpful.

It is nice to see them in the community doing good work and organizing fun events.

Loudoun Literacy Council is an Impactful organization providing a much needed service in Loudoun County.

Loudoun Literacy has allowed me to get involved in my community several times and each time has been wonderful.

Loudoun Literacy has allowed me to get involved in my community several times and each time has been wonderful.

I also want to share about the English classes that the program offers for the parents, I have attended several courses in which I have learned a lot of English and thanks to that I feel more confident and have better communication with my children's teachers as well as helping my kids with school tasks.

LLC is a great organization that really helps gives members of our community the skills they need to improve their quality of life. Keep up the good work!!

Loudoun Literacy Council provides an important service where many of our neighbors don’t even realize there is a need. Thank you for what you do!!!

When I started with Loudoun Literacy I was unaware of the great need for English literacy education, but now I see how something I used to take for granted can be such an obstacle. The Adult Literacy Program and Family Literacy Program provide support for speakers of other languages, as well as at risk children and families, making Loudoun County a better place to live for everyone. The LLC Staff and volunteers are also a wonderful group of people who care deeply about the people they reach. I'm so proud to be a part of Loudoun Literacy Council, and I truly believe in the power of this fantastic organization to improve both the community and the individual lives of our students!

As one of the AmeriCorps members who serves with Loudoun Literacy Council, I've had a wonderful experience so far! I was not confident in my teaching abilities when I began, but LLC has helped me feel much more prepared! Also, as I've been serving with them, I have experienced first hand how much of a difference they make in the lives of the Loudoun community. They really live up to their goal of changing lives through literacy, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to serve with them!

This program provides a much needed and beneficial service to our community. Perhaps the biggest benefit of the LLC is the ability to build the self-esteem of the participants. The program serves children and adults, as well as individuals who are learning English for the first time. I have seen both the volunteers and the recipients benefit greatly from this program. The volunteers are very caring and engaging. In addition to helping the participants with their reading skills, the program helps to build confidence.

Loudoun Literacy Council is a fantastic organization for our community, improving the lives for underprivliged youth through the basic fundamental skill of reading. The organization does much more for our youth than encouraging them to pick up books, but gives them the confidence they need to succeed in school. The organization also provides learning opportunities for adults, which empowers them to make a positive change for their life going forward. Loudoun Literacy Council is an integral part of raising the bar of education in Loudoun County.

I started with Loudoun Literacy Council as a volunteer with the Sweet Dreams program reading to at-risk youth in Loudoun County. Seeing the difference the program made in the lives of the children motivated me to explore and eventually commit to board membership.

As a board member, I am continually impressed by the dedication of our staff and volunteers. Their commitment to providing educational opportunity to members of our community in need is nothing short of inspiring. I look forward to continuing to work with my fellow board members to increase awareness of the need for literacy programs in our community, to attract new sources of funding, and ultimately to expand our programs in order to accommodate all residents of Loudoun County who may have a need for literacy assistance.

Loudoun Literacy Council provides a valuable service to the community. The members of the community who do not read, write or speak English as their first language have an organization to help them. There are many volunteers who give a lot of their time to help teach those in need. As a board member and my wife as a teacher we see first hand the many people who have come and benefited from LLC.

The Loudoun Literacy Council provides educational services to hundreds of at-risk children, their families, and adult English language learners every year in Loudoun County. We have a terrific corps of volunteers who donate THOUSANDS of hours to improve the lives of HUNDREDS of people who live and work in Loudoun County. This is an organization whose results are tremendous compared to their resources - they are incredibly efficient and make a significant and positive impact. I've served as both a volunteer and Board member for over five years and am proud of our service to the residents of Loudoun County.

As a volunteer teacher, I have seen the difference learning to speak English has made for a wide variety of students. Loudoun Literacy Council provides a wonderful and a much needed service to the English Language Learners in our county! What a difference LLC volunteers make!!

I have volunteered with Loudoun Literacy Council as a teacher assistant and as a tutor now for almost a year. They are some of the kindest and caring people I have ever had the pleasure of working with. Not to mention I have never felt more prepared in an ESOL classroom before. The training they provide goes above and beyond to make sure everyone who volunteers feels comfortable in any situation they may happen to come across. I know I will continue to volunteer with them and have already recommended them to friends looking to volunteer.

I have been a volunteer with LLC for 3 years as a class teacher and as a tutor. The training for my experience was outstanding as is the continued support by the staff. Assistance, advice and materials are always available.
For me, working with these motivated students is energizing and awarding. As well as the language, they are enjoying learning the traditions and customs of America.

Loudoun literacy council provides a much needed service to an under served population in our local community. Hats off to them!

I came to the Council with no experience in the ELL world but was quickly welcomed and trained to help support their mission. They put a lot of work into their volunteer training sessions which can be measured by their volunteer retention and quick turnaround in matching volunteers with classes/students. The Council is supported by the community, as seen through fundraising events, matching grants from local vendors, and their relationships with local community centers, schools, and libraries providing space for the weekly classes.
Students excel in LLC's programs, increasing their Best Plus scores, moving up through the class levels and even moving on to the local Community College to further their education and skills in the English language. Students also are exposed to other cultures in class, building relationships with people they would probably not otherwise meet in their daily life.
Overall, I think LLC does a great job of establishing a sense of community while creating a safe place for students to collaborate and increase confidence in their English language skills. Volunteers and staff go out of their way to meet the needs of the community. They stretch their funding and resources to fulfill their mission, thus making it a 5 star nonprofit.

Loudoun Literacy Council is a wonderful non-profit providing a critical service to the community. The work they do truly changes lives and has a far reaching positive impact on the greater community. I would recommend this organization to anyone in need of literacy services.

A great Loudon County non-profit that does incredible work in our community!!!

Loudoun Literacy Council is an outstanding non-profit that provides critical literacy services to adults and families in Loudoun County. The impact this organization provides to the community is significant in that is helps lift individual out or poverty, umeployement, etc.

As a Board member for three years now I am especially proud to be affiliated with this great non-profit and the life-changing services they provide to our commiunity!

I was teaching English for adults with Loudoun Literacy Council first as a volunteer and then as an AmeriCorps member from 2009 to 2011. I can say from both a volunteer perspective and while working at LLC that there is great training and great support for volunteers. It's a small but tight-knit group of staff that want volunteers to succeed and ultimately the students to succeed.

As an instructor, I found a way to help others, be more confident, and a passion that changed my career goals. When someone thinks about impact, and affecting positive change with nonprofits, it is usually geared towards the clients served, which I know Loudoun Literacy does. But I didn't know how much of an impact volunteering would have on my life, too.

It has truly been a joy to work with Loudoun Literacy. The volunteer teachers and tutors are all dedicated, talented, and intelligent people who really get the most out of their time with the students. The learners are all very enthusiastic and driven to improve their English skills to better blend into the Loudoun community. The programs receive excellent support from the local libraries and other community establishments to make it easy for the organization to reach its target audience.

The Loudoun Literacy Council is such a great organization that truly promotes changing lives through learning. Both the Adult Literacy Program and the Family Literacy Program helps the low-income and immigrant community in Loudoun County. Whether it's giving out free books, reading to children in the shelter and Head Start programs, or teaching adult English learners, LLC staff and volunteers work hard to establish the ground works of literacy and education. I cannot say enough how good this organization is!