April 2024

Dear Friends of the Literacy Council,

I write to you with a heart full of gratitude and a spirit of optimism for the future. After 10 years of service, the time has come for me to retire this summer as Executive Director of the Literacy Council of Frederick County (LCFC). This decision was made with the confidence that our organization is stronger than ever and ready for the next generation of leadership to carry forward this critical mission and vision.

We have witnessed program growth within a strategic framework that sets a clear path forward.  The mission’s focus on providing Frederick County adults with pathways to essential literacy skills through a collective community impact approach guides our collaboration with employers, schools, other nonprofit organizations, our local cities and Frederick County.  Commemorating the 60^th anniversary of the Literacy Council last year is launching the next milestone decade that will set the direction forward for the next ten years.  In 2025 the Literacy Council will embark on the next phase of its next strategic direction, building on accomplishments and challenges encountered from the past few years.  I am excited for the organization to welcome a new leader who can be a strong partner for this next phase.

During my tenure, I am honored to have the opportunity to work side by side on our Literacy Council team, including our dedicated volunteers, my co-workers, and board of directors.  I want to personally thank Caroline Gaver, Board Member Emeritus, who has dedicated 50 years of her life guiding the Literacy Council’s work, and who has been an inspirational mentor to me. Finally, thank you to our community and everyone who comes together to advance a powerful vision of lifting lives through literacy for sixty years. We are achieving milestones that were once dreams—expanding our programs, touching more lives, and creating lasting change in our community. None of this would have been possible without your unwavering support, dedication, and belief in our cause.

As I prepare to embark on my retirement journey, I want to express my deepest appreciation to each of you—our amazing adult learners whose achievements are a source of inspiration for us all, our dedicated staff and volunteers, our financial supporters, and community partners. Your passion and commitment have been the driving force behind our success. Together, we’ve built a foundation that will continue to support and empower those we serve for years to come.  The Literacy Council will always hold a special place in my heart. I look forward to watching the organization grow and thrive, and I know our paths will continue to cross in this vibrant, interconnected community.

This work is all about people and community, and how we can improve the lives of our neighbors.  I have been blessed with a lifetime of  work that has given me purpose to help families and children at their most vulnerable over my 30 year career with the American Red Cross’ international programs, four years  with the Crimsonbridge Foundation, and ten years at the Literacy Council.  Whether  as lifelong residents of our community, or refugees and immigrants arriving from war-torn countries, it all comes down to treating people with human dignity, empathy, compassion, and being part of something that is greater than oneself.

The board has begun the search for a new Executive Director, and I am confident there is a passionate leader who will bring new ideas and energy to our beloved LCFC.  I will work closely with the board to ensure a smooth transition over the next few months.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve, for the memories we’ve created, and for the impact we’ve made together. Here’s to the next chapter of this organization’s inspiring vision of Literacy Lifts Lives!

With warm regards and best wishes,

The post A New Chapter Begins – Farewell Message from Our Executive Director appeared first on Literacy Council Frederick County.

The post Seeking Applicants for Workplace ESL Instructors appeared first on Literacy Council Frederick County.

The Literacy Council is expanding its Workplace Literacy Program in collaboration with employers in Frederick County from the hospitality and restaurant industries to support English language classes for their employees. The purpose of the program is to empower limited English language proficient employees to find and keep sustainable employment, contributing to achieving greater financial stability and impacting the lives of their families. The program will also help employers identify and retain an educated workforce and reduce turnover, thereby strengthening the entire economic fabric of the community.

For several years, the Literacy Council conducted workplace classes for kitchen workers from downtown Frederick restaurants and Dutch’s Daughter Restaurant.  A weekly class for restaurant workers meets at the Literacy Council office.  Recently this program has expanded to include workers in the hospitality sector from local hotels.  The instructional content focuses on English speaking and comprehension, with an emphasis on workplace vocabulary, workplace skills, interaction among staff, and overall basic conversation skills.

To support this initiative, the Literacy Council seeks experienced ESL instructors to join a collaborative team who display a high degree of professionalism, intercultural sensitivity, a belief in lifelong learning, and a strong commitment to adult learners.  As part of this capacity building effort, we are seeking applicants for part-time Workplace Literacy Program Instructors to conduct the classes. Please click on the position name to see the job description details.

For more information, contact Laurie Fisher, Executive Director, Literacy Council of Frederick County.  (301) 600-2066 or lauriefisher@frederickliteracy.org.

The post Seeking Qualified Applicants for Part-Time Workplace Literacy ESL Instructors appeared first on Literacy Council Frederick County.

The Literacy Council recently received a Significant Partner Grant from the Rotary Club of Frederick to build our capacity for a sustainable program in collaboration with the business community. The purpose of the Literacy Council’s workplace program is to empower lower literate employees to find and keep sustainable employment, thereby lifting themselves out of poverty, becoming eligible for lower health care costs, and ultimately changing their lives and the lives of their families. The program will also help employers identify and retain an educated workforce and reduce turnover, thereby strengthening the entire economic fabric of the community.

For the past three years, the Literacy Council has been conducting workplace classes for kitchen workers in several downtown Frederick restaurants, and most recently at Dutch’s Daughter Restaurant.  Our workplace restaurant English classes have been popular with both employers and employees, and we will continue to expand this program.

We are seeking interested small to mid-size businesses in restaurant/food service or  landscaping  that would like to work with us to support workplace English classes for their employees. The instructional content will focus on English speaking and comprehension, with an emphasis on workplace vocabulary, workplace skills, interaction among staff, and overall basic conversation skills.

As part of this capacity building effort, we are seeking a part-time Workplace Literacy Program Coordinator (update – this position has been filled) to promote, help develop, and organize the classes and a part-time Workplace Literacy Program Instructor to conduct the classes. Please click on the position names to see the job description details.

For more information, contact Laurie Fisher, Executive Director, Literacy Council of Frederick County.  (301) 600-2066 or lauriefisher@frederickliteracy.org.

The post Seeking Qualified Applicants for Part-Time Workplace Literacy Program Coordinator and Instructor Positions appeared first on Literacy Council Frederick County.