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, a part-time office manager/volunteer coordinator, 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… The Literacy Council hires a part-time Executive Director, making important strides in expanding services to more adults and broadening cooperation with other community agencies. 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’s new Giving Societies were announced by Board member Ric Adams at the Celebration of Achievements held on May 12, 2015. These Giving… 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… The Literacy Council held their first annual Scabble™ Mania for Literacy as a major fundraiser for the organization. The event included a competitive Scrabble™ game… 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… A new in-depth website featuring information for students and tutors, videos, upcoming events, ways to donate and more has launched. The website is available to… A new three-year Strategic Plan was developed by the Literacy Council Board of Directors to establish goals that build on our Mission, Vision and Core… The Literacy Council added a new position to its growing staff. The Workplace Literacy Program Coordinator will facilitate our program to teach English skills to… Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner proclaimed June 11, 2018 “Literacy Council of Frederick County Day,” to thank the Literacy Council for 55 years of service… Reflections – Voices of English Learners is a compilation of stories, poems and art written by Literacy Council students with their newly learned English skills…. The Literacy Council held its first donor reception to honor the founding members of The Campaign for Literacy Giving Societies which were established by the Board… The Literacy Council continues to increase its staff to better serve our community. A Program Manager has been hired to oversee our Basic Literacy and… A new Workplace English class has been added for the Hospitality industry. Workplace English instructors visit local job sites to teach the English skills that non-native…
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 – First Employee Hired
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 Hired
2014 – Community Support
2014 – Volunteer Recognition Award
2015 – Governor’s Award
2015 – Workplace English
2015 – New Giving Societies Announced
2015 – More Unity Support
2016 – Second Restaurant English Class
2016 – 3rd Unity Campaign for Frederick County
2016 – First Scrabble™ Mania for Literacy
2017 – New Partner
2017 – New Website Launches
2018 – New Strategic Plan Developed
2018 – Workplace Literacy Program Coordinator Hired
2018 – 55th Anniversary Commemorated
2018 – First Edition of New Literary Magazine
2018 – First Donor Reception
2018 – Program Manager Position Added
2019 – New Class Added for Hospitality Industry