A few days ago I had the privilege of having dinner with a outstanding group to people who had brought themselves out of the darkness into literacy. I am an assessor with the Anne Arundel County Literacy Council. I meet with the students as they enter the program to assess what is their level of literacy and where the tutor should begin their learning. As an assessor you usually have no further contact with the individuals but always wonder about their progress. Each year the council has a dinner for the students and for some this is like a graduation ceremony. This is where I get to learn of their progress.

During dinner students are encouraged to tell their journey. This year a gentleman told his story of hiding his inability to read kept him from accepting promotions at work. He was a valued employee where he worked but each time he was offered a promotion he would leave the job and move to another entry level job. He learned of the Literacy Council's program and began his incredible journey to literacy. After completing a few years with his tutor he is nearing completion of his Associates Degree at Anne Arundel Community College. This is only one of the many success stories.

To have a program like this available, with no fees to the students, and a group of dedicated volunteers is benefit for the entire Anne Arundel County Community.

I went to their Appreciation Dinner for the first time and was able to "feel" the good work that they do in teaching underprivileged young and older adults to learn to read and write and the great gratitude that these adults have for the volunteers and the wonderful opportunity to experience the world of knowledge and capability that these volunteer tutors has opened to these adults left behind by our government and our school systems. Despite the "no child left behind" motto, these adults, who were "passed" through each school grade despite not being to read or write at all or only barely, have indeed been left behind as a result of a "feel good" society.

Such important work in our community, the Anne Arundel County Literacy Council is supported largely by volunteers who are dedicated, professional, highly skilled and motivated, and by individuals and their families living in our community who might benefit from improving their basic literacy and/or math skills. Some volunteers provide excellent training for other volunteers...and everyone tries to make a difference for someone who never learned to adequately read...or for someone who never learned to read English, or someone who needs help with math skills. Tutoring is a wonderful experience for both the student and tutor--passing forward good works. In addition to providing training, materials and technical support, the Literacy Council also provides tips and insights to be more effective. Volunteering as a tutor in Anne Arundel County is incredibly fulfilling and while I know it is a great experience for me, I hope I am also helping make a difference in a person's life and in our community. I appreciate the wonderful opportunities provided by the Literacy Council, and the great volunteers and families they connect.

I joined the AACLC a few months ago and trained as a tutor. I have been blessed with a wonderful, dedicated and motivated student who wants to learn to read and get a job and her driver's license. I chose to do this because I, too, almost slipped through the school system struggling to read. I was lucky enough to have a caring teacher who saw my potential and set me up with a tutor. AACLC is an organization that is full of dedicated and caring people who want to help those in our county better themselves. I am doing my best to spread the word about this amazing organization that is changing lives one book at a time.

The Literacy Council adds MAJOR VALUE to the lives of adults everyday by training and assigning volunteer tutors to help them with reading, writing, mathematics and life.

I have been tutoring the same woman for 2 years. She loves to learn and has enhanced her English and writing skills. She is a much more confident person. Her life has changed. She is much more engaged at work and in everyday life skills which helps her daughter too.
I have heard stories at the AACLC from students that have moved me to want to continue. The students are thankful to everyone there for helping them to move forward. I am amazed how the students lives have developed. This is a great organization!

When I began tutoring I had a man who was reading on about a 2nd grade level. His grandchild had brought a book to him and said"Read this to me ,Popop" and he was ashamed and told her to go ask her grandmother. He was so aware of his limits and embarassed in front of his whole family.That was the incident that caused him to ask his wife to contact the Literacy Council.
I met with him for 5 hours a week at the library and he quickly began to know how to comprehend,not just call words.
At the end of about 8 months he decided, with my encouragement, to go to the Community College and see if he was able to enroll there. They tested him and he is on his way.He will go to school there full time in the fall.
He is so proud of himself and so am I . The Literacy Council has many volunteers and is efficiently run. Please continue to grant funds to them. You remember that saying " It is better to light just one little candle than to stumble in the dark". Well, that is what I think Robert is doing-lighting the candle for his family and many others he encounters.(He read that book to his granddaughter at Easter)

After I retired I tried several local nonprofits as potential places to volunteer, but I wasn't really excited until I started volunteer tutoring with the Anne Arundel County Literacy Council. I have been deeply impressed by the commitment of the volunteers, and the quality of leadership. I now tutor two students, one in reading and writing, and one in math. Both are delightful and have become friends. This is a truly outstanding organization that provides life-changing experiences for both volunteers and clients.

My tutor played a huge role in helping me pass the ged and helped me to be able to score in the top 10% of the country. I am very thankful for the help I got from the Anne Arundel County Literacy Council.

It has been a pleasure to work with my student, Eric. While he is somewhat handicapped, he is working in the Challenger books and is making good progress through it. I know he is happy to have the chance to read with a tutor each time I come. He expresses his appreciation at every session.
I'm thankful to be a part of an organization that is making a difference in so many lives, bringing the joy of accomplishment to many who would not otherwise experience it.

Teaching someone to read has been something I have wanted to do for many, many years. Each time I inquired through other organizations in the past the classes were either non existant or too far away from my residence or held in the evening and I was working at the time. The Literacy Council was just what I had hoped for. The classes were held in a church, on weekends and the church is close to where I live.

The training was held on two consecutive Saturdays with a follow-up half day class held about a month after the initial training. I found the instruction to be very well thought out and presented clearly and effectively, especially when you consider the broad spectrum of clients that are served. During the follow-up session we each shared our experiences to date. It was both interesting and helpful to hear first hand from other volunteers the pluses and minuses of their sessions. And we were provided the opportunity for additional coaching. I find the group to be very committed, energetic and eager to help move us along in our progress with our clients.

I have a wonderful client. He is motivated, and enthusiastic, there is no question in my mind that he wants to learn to read. His enthusiasm is what keeps me motivated. I feel that the teaching resources provided to us by the Literacy Council plus the help we know is just a phone call away provide the tools needed to keep his classes interesting.

I am very pleased with the program. It is much more than I expected. I admire the staff and the dedicated volunteers who have worked together, literally for years, to make this program what it is today. I would be happy to tell anyone interested in volunteering to come and see for yourself if this would be a good fit for you. I am very happy to be a part of this wonderful organization.

Sincerely,

Priscilla Gray

The AACLC is focused on the long-term success of students, not simply on the best short-term learning tactics. The tutors that I have met are incredibly dedicated to this cause, and I am proud to be among them.

The Literacy Council has been changing lives through literacy for adult and out-of-school youth in Anne Arundel County for the past 38 years. Last year 216 tutor/student matches were supported through the dedication of 233 volunteers. The Literacy Council is a much-needed community resource in our community.

I have worked with this great nonprofit for several years.
The work they do is invaluable to the community. I am proud
to be a part of AACLC.

I was referred to the Anne Arundel County Literacy Council a little more than 1-year ago. I have found them to be attentive and consistent in their follow-through. We were quite fortunate to have them available to assist our need.

Much appreciated!
PM

The Anne Arundel County Literacy Council does a great job teaching people to read, including ESL students and people whose native language is English. There is no charge to the students. Everyone involved with the program shows lots of heart and dedication, which results in great progress by the students.

My wife and I became tutors for AACLC last year, and it's been a wonderful (and eye-opening) experience. The staff (mostly volunteer) is dedicated, proficient, well-trained and enthusiastic. We were new to tutoring, and the training and support they provide is excellent. The students (both ours and others we've observed) are motivated, hard-working, and determined to succeed. The AACLC is truly making a difference in the lives of many, many people.

I've been a tutor with the organization and have been impressed by the helpfulness and responsiveness of the staff.

I am a volunteer literacy tutor with AACLC. They have prepared me well and I am now helping a young man overcome many learning challenges as he works toward taking the GED. This tutoring experience continues to reward me in many ways. I am grateful to the council for all the help they have given me so that my student can work towards his goal.

I am a well educated retiree who had been looking for a place to volunteer to do real work. I was tired of fund raising (although I know it is critical) I craved an operations role. I found just that with the AACLC. Today I proudly tell friends, family and anyone who will listen that I am a tutor. The overwhelming and humbling experience of facilitating self motivated but under severed individuals to make a profound difference in their own lives and in our society is the single most rewarding thing I have done. AACLC does more good with so few resources it amazes me daily.