Literacy Council Frederick County

ESL Conversation Class - Urbana Senior Center ~ Thursdays
2019-10-03 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Urbana Regional Library Senior Center, 9020 Amelung Street, Frederick, MD, 21704, United States
This ESL Conversation Class is for adults of all ages who want to improve their ability to speak and understand American English. We have conversations about many subjects – holidays, food, travels, family, current events and more.
The class will meet on Thursday mornings from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Urbana Senior Center in the Urbana Regional Library building.

Professional Development for Tutors
2019-10-22 13:30 - 15:00 | Literacy Council of Frederick County, MD, United States
Tutors, join us on Tuesday, October 22, 2019, from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. at the LCFC classroom for this learning opportunity.
Teaching With the Brain in Mind. Maximizing engagement and retention to facilitate learning.

Tutor Training Workshop
2019-11-02 09:00 - 15:30 | Benevola United Methodist Church, 19925 Benevola Church Rd., Boonsboro, MD, 21713, United States
Prepare to tutor an adult who needs to learn English or a native English speaker who needs to improve their reading skills with two days of in-person training by our experienced tutor trainers. Both days are required for completion. You must also attend one Volunteer Information Session or an approved alternative prior to the training.

Volunteer Information Session
2019-11-14 10:00 - 11:00, 2019-12-10 17:30 - 18:30, 2020-01-10 10:30 - 11:30, 2020-03-12 10:00 - 11:00 | Literacy Council of Frederick County, MD, United States
Come learn about the Literacy Council, and get information on the ways to volunteer and what volunteering involves. You will learn about our programs, who we serve, and how you can help.

Holiday Book Drive 2019
2019-11-15 - 2019-12-13 | Literacy Council of Frederick County, MD, United States
The Literacy Council of Frederick County is again partnering with Curious Iguana for our Annual Holiday Book Drive to provide new books for elementary school aged children (PreK through 5th grade).
While the Literacy Council serves adult literacy needs, providing appealing, age-appropriate books to children fosters literacy at a young age and helps to break the cycle of low literacy in families. The books will be given to parents of children in elementary school who are participating in the Literacy Council’s tutoring or class instruction programs. The Literacy Council recently began working directly with the Judy Center and Lincoln, Hillcrest and Waverley Elementary Schools to provide tutoring at the schools for parents whose children attend these schools, and many of our other students also have young children with whom to share the books.
Suggestions for younger grades include: board books, picture books (fiction and nonfiction), early chapter books; and for older grades: mid-grade chapter books, paperback series, graphic novels, and STEM titles.
To participate in the Holiday Book Drive, you may purchase and donate books between November 15 and December 13 at Curious Iguana in downtown Frederick (12 N. Market St.). Or you may simply purchase a book and drop it off at the Literacy Council’s office at 110 E. Patrick St. no later than December 13.
Donors often like to share a childhood favorite or just encourage the habit of reading in a child. We request no religious holiday themed books so that we are not limited in distributing them.
Download a flyer to share here.
The Holiday Book Drive, now in its 13th year, has provided books for several local agencies including Head Start, the YMCA’s Early Learning Center, Toys for Tots, Advocates for Homeless Families, Children of Incarcerated Parents (COIP), and Blessings in a Backpack.

Professional Development for Tutors
2019-11-22 09:30 - 11:00 | Literacy Council of Frederick County, MD, United States
Tutors, join us on Friday, November 22, 2019, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the LCFC classroom for this learning opportunity.
In Their Words: Using students’ own words and experience to teach reading, writing, and spelling.

Giving Tuesday
2019-12-03
Please consider a gift on Giving Tuesday to support adult literacy through the Literacy Council of Frederick County!
This year we are participating in a community-wide Giving Tuesday event with the Catalogue for Philanthropy. Beginning November 20 and through Tuesday, December 3, you can support our programs by giving here.

Adult Literacy Changes Everything …

Health. Gender equality. Poverty.
Every important social issue is impacted by low literacy.
When individuals learn how to read, write, do basic math, and use computers, they have the power to lift themselves out of poverty, lower health care costs, find and keep sustainable employment, and ultimately change their lives.

Yet … one in ten Frederick County adults struggle with functional literacy. This includes native English speakers who can’t read or write, and English language learners. These skills are fundamental to work, prosperity, health, and family stability.
The holiday season is just around the corner. We invite you to kick it off with us on Giving Tuesday! Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving back. On the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, people around the world will come together to celebrate generosity and make an impact.
This year, we want to hit our goal of $5,000 to ensure we can continue to be a resource and #BEACHANGEMAKER in our community! Help the Literacy Council meet our goal this year for Giving Tuesday of raising $5,000!
These funds are needed to support the recent expansion of our programs including new workplace classes for employees for hospitality/restaurant workers and direct parent support in three local elementary schools and the Judy Center where we are providing tutors for parents whose children attend these schools.
Last year the Literacy Council of Frederick County’s more than 240 volunteers contributed over 15,340 hours conducting individual tutoring and class instruction in beginning literacy, conversation, pronunciation, basic computer skills, writing and civics classes transforming lives for over 230 adults and their families.
Just look what our students achieved last year!!

Got jobs or better jobs
Improved employability skills
Received GED
Entered other education or training
Advanced level(s) in curriculum series
Obtained citizenship
Obtained driver’s licenses
Registered to vote or voted for the first time
Increased involvement in community activities
Increased support for their children’s education
Attained consumer skills, wellness and healthy lifestyles
Other personal goals

With your support we can have an even bigger impact!

Professional Development for Tutors
2019-12-10 13:30 - 15:00 | Literacy Council of Frederick County, MD, United States
Tutors, join us on Tuesday, December 10, 2019, from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. at the LCFC classroom for this learning opportunity.
Let’s Play Games: Utilizing game formats to improve word recognition, spelling, and memory.

Volunteer Information Session
2020-01-10 14:00 - 15:00 | Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Rd., Thurmont, MD, 21788, United States

Volunteer Information Session
2020-01-13 13:00 - 14:00 | Urbana Regional Library, 9020 Amelung Street, Frederick, MD, 21704, United States

Classes for Students - all postponed until further notice
2020-01-14 09:00 - 21:00 | Literacy Council of Frederick County, MD, United States
The Literacy Council offers small group classes to help adults learn to read, write and speak English. We have conversation classes at beginning and more advanced levels, pronunciation, beginning literacy and conversation, writing, civics, and beginning reading and phonics. Most classes are held at the Literacy Council, but some are in Urbana. They are at different times of the day and evening, on different days of the week except on Sundays.
If you are interested in registering for classes, contact the Literacy Council at (301) 600-2066 or email staff@frederickliteracy.org
You can see descriptions of the classes along with the current class schedule by going to this page.

Professional Development for Tutors
2020-01-15 01:30 - 03:00 | Literacy Council of Frederick County, MD, United States
Tutors, join us on Wednesday, January 15, 2019, from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. at the LCFC classroom for this learning opportunity.
Tutor Chat: A Q&A session for all tutors. Bring your success stories and your questions, and get to know other tutors!

Tutor Training Workshop
2020-01-25 09:00 - 15:30 | Frederick Presbyterian Church, 115 W. 2nd St., Frederick, MD, 21701, United States

Professional Development for Tutors
2020-02-27 09:30 - 11:00 | Literacy Council of Frederick County, MD, United States
Tutors, join us on Thursday, February 27, 2020, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the LCFC classroom for this learning opportunity.
Second Language Acquisition: Learn how we acquire language and discover specific language related obstacles your students will have based on their native language. (Repeat session.)

Profession Development for Tutors
2020-03-09 13:30 - 15:00 | Literacy Council of Frederick County, MD, United States
Tutors, join us on Monday, March 9, 2020, from 1:30 to 3:00 pm in the Literacy Council classroom for this learning opportunity.
Using Graphic Narratives to Teach Reading: Adding the WHAM and POW factor to your lessons will be presented by Lynn Bruton, Basic Literacy Coordinator

Professional Development for Tutors
2020-03-09 13:30 - 15:00 | Literacy Council of Frederick County, MD, United States
Tutors, join us on Monday March 9, 2020, from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. at the LCFC classroom for this learning opportunity.
Using Graphic Narratives to Teach Reading: Adding the WHAM and POW factor to your lessons will be presented by Lynn Bruton, Basic Literacy Coordinator

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Scrabble® Mania for Literacy 2020 - Cancelled
2020-03-21 11:00 - 14:00 | Dutch’s Daughter Restaurant, 581 Himes Ave., Frederick, MD, 21703
Scrabble® Mania for Literacy 2020 has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 crisis and our desire to comply with strict protocols suggested in response to the crisis. We hope to bring back Scrabble® Mania next year. We will soon launch our Scrabble® Mania Online Silent Auction featuring over 80 fantastic items for all interests, including art, food, travel, health, entertainment, and more! Stay tuned for more information!
Even though we regretfully cancelled Scrabble® Mania due to current circumstances, what has not changed is our sincere appreciation to you—our returning and new sponsors, players, and silent auction contributors for your commitment to helping raise awareness and critical financial support for adult literacy programs.
Since we can’t thank you all in person, or celebrate our Scrabble® sponsors and silent auction contributors as we’d like, we have developed a special Tribute Book to recognize them.
Please contact us at info@frederickliteracy.org or 301-600-2066 with any questions.

Professional Development for Tutors - postponed until further notice
2020-03-27 09:30 - 11:00 | Literacy Council of Frederick County, MD, United States
Tutors, join us on Friday, March 27, 2020, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. in the Literacy Council classroom for this learning opportunity.
Is your student thinking about transitioning to Frederick Community College? Come learn about the process of becoming a GED or ESL student at FCC. Presented by Ivania Amador, FCC Adult Education and ESL Transition Specialist.

Tutor Training Workshop - Postponed until further notice
2020-04-25 09:00 - 15:30 | Literacy Council of Frederick County, MD, United States

Professional Development for Tutors - Zoom call
2020-05-15 11:30 - 13:30
Tutors, join us on Friday, May 15, 2020, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on a virtual Zoom call for this learning opportunity.
The very timely topic for this session will be “Powerful Tips to Virtual Tutoring”!
Please email to staff@frederickliteracy.org to let us know you would like to attend. You will then receive an email with specific instructions on how to join the session.

Online Scrabble® Mania Auction
2020-05-17 12:00 - 2020-05-23 19:00
Thank you so much for your interest in our Online Scrabble® Mania for Literacy Auction! As you may know, we had to cancel our annual Scrabble® Mania for Literacy fundraiser due to the current health crisis in our community. So we have moved the Silent Auction online!
Proceeds from this auction will support our tutoring, community classes, parent and workplace literacy programs, so our adult learners gain the fundamental reading and other English language skills that are critical to carrying out everyday life functions, providing for their families and contributing to the well-being and prosperity of our community.
Please help us reach our goal of $8,000!
We wish we could thank our Scrabble® participants, sponsors and silent auction contributors in person, but please view our sincere appreciation to all in our special Tribute Book.
AUCTION DETAILS
Silent Auction Dates: Sunday, May 17 LIVE at 12 noon through Saturday, May 23 at 7:00 p.m.
Silent Auction Online Site: Check out our site through Bidding Owl to view items and register for a bidder account (click on “Register” at the top right corner of our Bidding Owl page.) Sunday, May 17 through Saturday, May 23rd, you can bid on over 90 items that include dining, wine and brewery tours and tastings, art, crafts, sports, and vacations!
BIDDER REGISTRATION AND TIPS
GETTING STARTED
1) Go to the Literacy Council’s Scrabble® Mania Online Auction for Literacy
Direct link: https://www.biddingowl.com/Auction/home.cfm?auctionID=13663
You are welcome to freely review auction items at any time. If you forget to register ahead of time, you will be directed to register as a bidder or sign in as a bidder the first time you place a bid.
2) Click on Register (top right corner of our Bidding Owl page) and follow the short registration process. If you are registering from your mobile phone, click on the menu button and select Register.
3) You will be directed to your email to confirm your registration. Once you have confirmed, then sign back in as a bidder and continue bidding.
BIDDING
1) Browse the Categories in our auction.
2) Select the item you would like to bid on.
3) Enter correct Bid Amount into the field provided
4) Click Bid and Confirm Bid
5) Congratulations, you are the current High Bidder for the item!
ACCESSING YOUR BIDDINGOWL.COM ACCOUNT ANYTIME
1) Enter www.BiddingOwl.com into your browser’s address field
2) Click on Bidder Sign In (at top of the page)
3) Enter your Email login and Password to review your account
​- View your Bid Status and Bid History by clicking on My Bids
GOOD TO KNOW
– In order to receive Text Message Notifications, enter your telephone number under Account Details. You will receive Text messages when you’ve been outbid.
ONLINE CHECK OUT
1) Log into your Bidder Account to view your Bidder History
2) Click on the Shopping Cart in the top right corner of the page and follow the short checkout process. Only items that you’ve WON can be checked out.
Note: Additional instructions will be provided about the checkout process at the end of the auction.
Contact us at info@frederickliteracy.org or (301) 600-2066 with any questions.
RECEIVING YOUR ITEMS
Shipping & Handling Notice due to COVID-19: We are a non-profit serving Frederick County, Maryland. All gift certificates will be mailed. Unfortunately, we cannot ship other items. LCFC will make arrangements with winning bidders to pick up their items locally in a manner that respects social distancing. We will consider local deliveries on a case by case basis. Thank you.
Looking for other ways to support our students and programs?
Donate now to support our Spring Literacy Campaign. Give the gift of literacy today!

Virtual Celebration of Achievements
2020-11-18 19:00 - 20:00
Please join us for our 7th Annual Celebration of Achievements – virtual this year – as we recognize the accomplishments of our students this past year, and share stories from students who are participating in our tutoring, community class, parent literacy and workplace literacy programs. You will hear first-hand testimonials from our students about how Literacy Lifts Lives!
We will also announce the recipient of the Literacy Council’s Business & Industry Partner in Literacy Award.
This event will be pre-recorded and shared as a Facebook Premiere on Wednesday, November 18 at 7:00 in the evening and again as an “encore” event on Sunday, November 22 at 3:00 in the afternoon on the Literacy Council’s Facebook Page.
Anyone who does not have access to Facebook may view the event on our Celebration of Achievements web page on Wednesday, November 18, also at 7:00 in the evening.
Need more information? Contact Laurie Fisher at info@frederickliteracy.org or (301) 600-2066.

Thank you to our Event Sponsors, FCB Bank, A Division of ACNB Bank and Spring Ridge Chiropractic.

Classes for Students - Virtual
2021-01-06 09:00 - 2021-03-31 17:00
The Literacy Council offers small group classes to help adults learn to read, write and speak English. We have conversation classes at beginning and more advanced levels, pronunciation, beginning literacy and conversation, writing, civics, and beginning reading and phonics.
Currently, we are offering a limited number of virtual classes on Zoom.
If you are interested in registering for classes, contact the Literacy Council at (301) 600-2066 or email staff@frederickliteracy.org
You can see descriptions of the classes along with the current class schedule by going to this page. The times and days of the classes vary, and the class schedule will give you the specific dates and times of each.

2021 Unity Campaign
2021-03-10 - 2021-03-21
The Literacy Council is again honored to be one of 31 nonprofit organizations participating in the Unity Campaign for Frederick County, hosted by United Way of Frederick County. The Unity Campaign supports the over one in three households in Frederick County that struggle to afford basic human necessities! This year’s campaign will specifically focus on funding programs directly supporting the health, education, and financial stability of ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed) households that have been adversely impacted by COVID-19. Together, we can make a huge difference!
To donate online to the Literacy Council, please visit our Unity Campaign page. Or download the Mail-in Donation Form to send a check. You may also donate by texting Unity202144 to 71777.
The majority of fundraising will take place during the “12 Days of Giving” which begins on March 10th and continues through March 21st. The campaign is currently running and accepting donations! Please consider donating by designating the Literacy Council of Frederick County or by supporting the campaign as a whole. Matching funds will provide more bang for your donated bucks!
The Unity Campaign is a collaborative project between nonprofit partners, sponsors, and the greater Frederick community to support our most vulnerable neighbors by giving to a nonprofit organization of their choice. Through the generosity of our Incentive Match sponsors, 100% of your contribution goes directly to the designated Nonprofit. In addition, your individual gift is boosted because a portion of your donation is matched by the sponsors.
The Unity Campaign raises critical financial support necessary to provide literacy programs by providing an efficient and community-wide platform to increase awareness and much-needed funds that support our tutoring, community classes, workplace and parent literacy programs.
Literacy is the basis for success in all other areas of life. It enables people to gain better employment to provide food, clothing, shelter and health care for themselves and their families.

And the children of literate parents are much more likely to succeed in school.

The 2018 Frederick Community Assessment Report conducted by the Frederick County Community Foundation identified several common stressors that negatively impacted the well-being of families. These include financial hardship, housing and food instability, health issues and lack of affordable childcare. Illiteracy compounds each of these stressors, erecting a barrier that severely limits the financial options of a family. While these are multifaceted and complex issues, adult literacy is the one factor that can have a positive impact across the board.
Visit http://www.unityfrederick.com/ to learn more about the campaign.

Scrabble Mania for Literacy 2021
2021-05-15
REGISTRATION IS OPEN! Join us on Saturday, May 15, 2021 for our SCRABBLE® Mania for Literacy virtual event. This year’s event will look a little different, but you still get to play as a team for the benefit of the Literacy Council of Frederick County and have FUN, all while supporting adult literacy programs in our community! This year, we are excited to partner with Surelocked In Escape Games in Frederick!
See below to register online or by mail.
Early Bird Registration opens on April 1st!
COME JOIN US FOR …

Fast-paced Scrabble® play for Teams*
Please note: each team MUST provide own Scrabble® board. If you don’t have one, support local by buying one from Dancing Bear Toys and Gifts (see details below)**
Suggested appetizer & meal options (see details below!)
Online Auction opens on May 15 (see details below): https://www.biddingowl.com/LiteracyCouncilFrederick
Door prize drawing!!
Sponsor opportunities available

DATE: Saturday, May 15, 2021 with two opportunities to play! Your choice of afternoon or evening:
2-5:00 p.m. or 6-9:00 p.m.
REGISTRATION FEE: $30/team*. Early Bird Discount: Register by April 15, 2021 and take advantage of the Early Bird discount price of $25/team. Starting April 16 the price will be $30/team.

*Each team or household will receive one login to virtual event, this login cannot be shared with other individuals.
If you are the person registering your team, you will be the “Team Captain” which just means you will be our point of contact prior to, and during the event.
You DON’T need to know all of your team members when you register but if you do know, please list their names and email addresses during registration.
You will be given a chance to list your teammates at a later date so we can keep everyone in the loop and a chance to win door prizes. 100% of your registration fees will be a donation to the Literacy Council.
Family play is encouraged, but each team must have at least one adult 18 or older as the team captain/host
Help spread the word to more family and friends! Please share this FLYER

**Scrabble games are available for purchase at Dancing Bear Toys and Gifts , located at 15 E. Patrick Street, Frederick. A % of sales between April 15 – May 15 will benefit the Literacy Council. Use this link to place your order: https://dbeartoys.com/products/games/tile-lock-scrabble
REGISTER YOUR TEAM ONLINE through SureLocked In Escape Games

Register HERE to purchase your ticket to play at 2:00 p.m.
Register HERE to purchase your ticket to play at 6:00 p.m.

Please book by Team, not by person. You will only need to book one ticket for your whole team to play!
REGISTER YOUR TEAM BY MAIL
ADDITIONAL EVENT DETAILS:
This is a virtual event. Scrabble teams* will play from the team’s home or other single physical location on Zoom using the team’s own Scrabble board**. Each team will be provided with rules and scoring sheets that can be picked up from our office in downtown Frederick, or we will include links to print them in advance when you receive your Zoom invitation. Contact us at info@frederickliteracy.org or (301) 600-2066 to arrange to pick up your team’s “swag bag” before Saturday, May 15!
Scrabble play will be led by Frederick’s very own Surelocked In Escape Games. The event will include a welcome, sponsor recognition, introduction of teams, explanation of the rules, two rounds of Scrabble games, door prize drawing, prizes for winning teams, an online auction which will go live on May 15, and lots of fun!
ONLINE AUCTION:
Over 80 items available through our online auction, including wine tastings and tours, travel and entertainment, themed baskets, restaurant gift certificates, crafts, clothing, art & collectibles, health and wellness items, subscriptions, books, and MORE!
Preview items at: https://www.biddingowl.com/LiteracyCouncilFrederick
Instructions to set up your Bidding Owl Bidder Account are provided HERE.
SUGGESTED APPETIZER & MEAL OPTIONS:
Support our local Downtown Frederick restaurants!
Due to COVID-19 precautions, we decided to give you flexibility in making your plans for appetizers or meal choices AND we want to take this opportunity to support our local restaurants. Appetizer and meal options are available by contacting the following restaurants in advance. These restaurants participate with the Literacy Council to provide workplace English classes for their employees. Teams should order and pay for their food directly with the restaurant of their choice. (Please note: Costs are not included in the team registration fee and the Literacy Council will not be receiving any profit from the sales). We just want to support local when possible!
Brewer’s Alley, 124 N. Market Street, Frederick (301) 631-0089 (Toast online ordering)
Firestone’s Culinary Tavern, 109 N. Market Street, Frederick (301) 663-0330
Isabella’s Tavern & Bar, 44 N. Market Street, Frederick (301) 698-8922 (Toast online ordering)
Pistarro’s Ristorante Pizzeria Napoletana, 221 N. East Street, Frederick (301) 378-9536 (Toast online ordering)
Sumittra Thai Cuisine 12 E. Patrick Street, Downtown Frederick (301) 668-2302
QUESTIONS? Call the Literacy Council at (301) 600-2066 or info@frederickliteracy.org
SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE:
Double Letter Sponsor: $100 – Basic Benefits & 1 team registration*
Triple Letter Sponsor: $200 – Basic Benefits & Team Registration (2 team registrations*)
Double Word Sponsor: $500 – Basic Benefits & Team Registration (4 team registrations*), half-page ad & more!
Triple Word Sponsor: $1,000 – Basic Benefits & Table Registration (6 team registrations*), full-page ad & more!
SEE SPONSOR BENEFITS AND DETAILS!
REGISTER ONLINE TO BECOME A SPONSOR!
MANY THANKS TO OUR WONDERFUL SPONSORS!
Can’t join us this year? Please consider making a charitable donation to support adult literacy programs.
Thank you for supporting adult literacy programs in Frederick County!

Volunteer Information Session - Virtual Zoom Call
2021-09-13 15:00 - 16:00
Come learn about the Literacy Council, and get information on the ways to volunteer and what volunteering involves. You will learn about our programs, who we serve, and how you can help.
All sessions are currently being offered as Zoom calls. An email will be sent with specific instructions following online registration.
