History
Dr. Frank C. Laubach, working among remote tribes people in the Philippines, invents a technique that teaches reading by linking pictures with words and symbols…. Church Women United in Frederick County begins a migrant ministry project and soon discovers that many migrant farm workers—and thousands of other adults in Frederick… Kay Mackley and Dolly Engle, along with others from Church Women United, officially founded Frederick County Laubach Literacy—later to become the Literacy Council of Frederick… 19 volunteers receive training in the Laubach method of teaching reading. English as a Second Language programming begins helping the many Southeast Asian immigrants coming to Frederick County. The first workshop to train tutors to help new immigrants from southeast Asia learn English was taught by master trainer Martha Lane of Philadelphia. The Literacy Council moves to the new C. Burr Artz Library in Frederick. Norman Paul, a retired engineer from Johns Hopkins University, obtains tutor certification through the Literacy Council and begins working in detention centers. From there he… The Literacy Council establishes the Engle Memorial Fund, using most of the donations to fund an outreach effort in Washington, Allegany, and Garrett counties. As… Betty Seligmann is the first Frederick County recipient of the “Maryland, You Are Beautiful” award, in honor of her 20 years of service to the… The Literacy Council receives the J C Penney Golden Rule award Tutoring of inmates at the Frederick Detention Center begins and The Maryland Correctional Institution in Hagerstown asks the Literacy Council to train inmates to tutor… Sister Mary Jerome McGinley is certified as a tutor and goes on to establish the Marguerite Naseau Literacy Center at Provincial House in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The Literacy Council wins the Outstanding Special Initiative Award at the Laubach Literacy Action National Awards for Excellence. Dr. Robert Laubach (“Dr. Bob”) of Laubach Literacy Action in Syracuse, NY, speaks at Literacy Council annual meeting. He is the son of Laubach Each… The Betty Seligmann Literacy Endowment Fund is established by the Literacy Council at the Community Foundation of Frederick County. The Literacy Council hires its first employee, part-time office manager/volunteer coordinator Diana Halleman, allowing the office to be open on a regular basis. The Literacy Council launches its first Five-Year Strategic Plan, aiming to expand the organization to serve more adult learners. The Community Foundation bestows the Wertheimer Fellow for Excellence in Volunteerism Award to long-time volunteer Caroline Gaver. The Literacy Council celebrates its 50th anniversary with an event at the Weinberg Center featuring speaker David Brooks, nationally known political and social commentator. The Literacy Council inaugurates an annual “Celebration of Achievements” reception at the Delaplaine Arts Center to honor the work of its students and tutors. Also this year, the Asian American Center of Frederick collaborates with the Literacy Council to offer an English language class. AACF English class student Cho… Laurie Fisher joins the Literacy Council as its part-time Executive Director, making important strides in expanding services to more adults and broadening cooperation with other… The first Unity Campaign for Frederick County selects the Literacy Council as one of the organizations to benefit from its fundraising efforts. Diana Halleman, the Literacy Council’s Office Manager/Volunteer Coordinator received the Community Foundation’s Wertheimer Award for Excellence in Volunteerism for her years of service to the… Longtime president, tutor trainer, and volunteer par excellence Caroline Gaver receives the Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award in Annapolis. The first restaurant English language program is launched with staff at Brewer’s Alley, a Frederick restaurant. Magic Foot Spa and its employees followed soon after. The Literacy Council is chosen as a beneficiary in the second Unity Campaign for Frederick County. Literacy Council staff, volunteers and students participate in the… Ayse Meze Lounge calls on the Literacy Council to offer a Restaurant English class to staff. The Unity Campaign again selects the Literacy Council as a cause supported by the Unity Campaign for Frederick County. Literacy Council staff, volunteers and students… Formal collaboration with Frederick Community College begins. This will help assure that students are being placed in the best program for them—either at the Literacy… New website launches!
1930 – Each One Teach One
1959 – Migrant Ministry
1963 – The Official Beginning
1963 – First Tutor Training Workshop
1977 – Reaching Out to Immigrants
1978 – First ESL Tutor Training Workshop
1982 – New Home
1982 – Volunteer Tutors 400
1985 – Beyond Frederick
1987 – State Honors Advocate
1988 – Award Bestowed
Early 1990’s – Programs for Inmates
1991 – Expanding North
1992 – Excellence Recognition
1994 – Dr. Laubach Speaks
2002 – Endowment Fund
2011 – Staff Addition
2012 – Planning Ahead
2012 – Volunteer Recognition Award
2013 – 50 Years
2014 – First Annual Celebration of Achievements
2014 – Collaboration Begins with AACF
2014 – First Executive Director
2014 – Community Support
2014 – Volunteer Recognition Award
2015 – Governor’s Award
2015 – Workplace English
2015 – More Unity Support
2016 – Second Restaurant English Class
2016 – 3rd Unity Campaign for Frederick County
2017 – New Partner
2017 – Website Revamp