Classes for Students
2023-01-23 09:00 - 2023-03-31 16:00, 2023-04-17 09:30 - 2023-06-19 20:00, 2023-06-27 10:30 - 2023-08-29 16:00, 2023-09-11 09:00 - 2023-11-20 20:00, 2024-01-06 09:00 - 2024-03-30 20:00 (America/New_York)
The Literacy Council offers community classes to help adults learn to read, write and speak English. Classes include: conversation classes at beginning, intermediate and more advanced levels; beginning listening, speaking and reading; writing; and civics.
Depending on the class, some are conducted remotely on Zoom and others are in person. Learn more HERE for a general description of classes. From that page, to see the current class schedule, select Download Current Class Schedule here.
If you are interested in registering for classes, contact the Literacy Council at (301) 600-2066 or email info@frederickliteracy.org

2023 Unity Campaign
2023-03-08 - 2023-03-19
The Literacy Council is again honored to be one of 30 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 Unity202340 to 71777.
The majority of fundraising will take place during the “12 Days of Giving” which begin on March 8th and continues through March 19th. The campaign is currently 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.

Thank you to our Incentive Match Sponsors!

Ausherman Family Foundation
Delaplaine Foundation, Inc.
Randall Family Foundation

In addition, your individual gift is boosted because a portion of your donation is matched by the sponsors.
2023 In-Kind Sponsors

Manning Media
Print @ Hood

2023 Promotional Sponsors

Manning Media
The Frederick News-Post

The Unity Campaign provides an efficient community-wide platform to increase awareness and raise much needed funds to 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. Limited literacy 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 https://www.unitedwayfrederick.org/unity-campaign to learn more about the campaign.

Scrabble Mania for Literacy 2023
2023-05-03 18:00 - 21:00
Join us on Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023 for our SCRABBLE® Mania for Literacy fundraiser. We are excited to partner again with Chris Sparks as our Game Master from Surelocked In Escape Games at Steinhardt Brewing Company! Help us to share this FLYER with friends and family!! This event is for adults 21 and over.
DATE: Wednesday, May 3rd
TIME: 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Steinhardt Brewing Company
340 East Patrick Street, Suite 100-102
Frederick, MD 21701
(240) 651-0057
Parking Details: Parking is available in the lot across Patrick Street (at the corner of Wisner and Patrick) that is for Steinhardt Brewing Company and Union Mills patrons. Street parking is also available. Do NOT park in the gravel lot across Wisner Street. Additional parking is available in the Carroll Creek and East All Saints Parking Garages. For more information: City of Frederick Parking Garages

COME JOIN US FOR …

Fast-paced Scrabble® play for Teams of 4 adults
Scrabble® boards will be available for each team
*Ticket fees include a complementary beverage (beer or soda) from Steinhardt Brewing Company and appetizers from Union Mills Public House
Visit the online Auction which goes live on May 3!
Door prize drawing!!

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN – CLICK TO REGISTER ONLINE
OR
REGISTER YOUR TEAM BY MAIL – CLICK TO ACCESS MAIL FORM
REGISTRATION FEES:
Team of 4: $220*
Individual Player(s): $55*
*Note: The registration fee for players and teams includes a complementary beverage from Steinhardt Brewing Company and appetizers from Union Mills Public House.
*A portion of the registration fees, less goods and services received, is a donation supporting the Literacy Council’s programs. A formal charitable donation acknowledgement will be provided to ticket purchasers following the event.
EVENT DETAILS:

Scrabble play will be in teams of four individuals. If you are playing on a team of four, please list the names of the other people you will be seated with when you register. We will make every effort to accommodate team requests.
Sponsors’ teams will be registered by the Literacy Council.
Each team will be provided with a Scrabble board, rules and scoring sheets.
The event will include two rounds of Scrabble games, door prize drawing, prizes for winning teams.
Sneak peek of online auction which opens on May 3!

SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE:
Double Letter, Triple Letter, Double Word, Triple Word, Pre-Game Team Spirit & 60th Anniversary Diamond Sponsor Levels Available: $300 – $2,500
BECOME A SPONSOR HERE

SEE SPONSOR BENEFITS AND DETAILS!
MANY THANKS TO OUR WONDERFUL PAST AND CURRENT SPONSORS!
ONLINE AUCTION INFORMATION: May 3 – 14, 2023
Over 80 items are 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.
QUESTIONS? Call the Literacy Council at (301) 600-2066 or info@frederickliteracy.org
Can’t join us this year? Please consider making a charitable donation to support adult literacy programs for Frederick County!

Volunteer Information Session - Virtual Zoom Call
2023-05-04 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-06-07 11:00 - 12:00, 2023-06-22 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-07-10 14:00 - 15:00, 2023-07-13 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-08-02 10:00 - 11:00, 2023-08-17 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-09-06 11:00 - 12:00 and 5 more dates
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.

Stuff the Bus 2023 - June 12 through July 31
2023-06-12 09:00 - 2023-07-31 16:00 | Literacy Council of Frederick County, MD, United States
The Literacy Council is again participating as a collection site for the United Way’s Stuff the Bus School Supply Drive. Stuff the Bus is a way for the community to come together to help young people succeed in school and is a way for the Literacy Council to support family literacy. Help share this Flyer too!
More than 1 in 3 households in Frederick County struggle to afford basic necessities (http://www.unitedwayfrederick.org/ALICE), so they find it very difficult to afford needed school supplies. This drive helps ensure that all children have the supplies they need to do their homework, take tests, and complete projects. In 2022, hundreds of bins of supplies were collected and thousands of items were purchased with donor gifts. Total Items & Value: An estimated 90,358 items valued at $75,054 were distributed to Frederick County students. It is a simple but important way to help children succeed in school.
STUFF THE BUS VIRTUAL DRIVE:
This year the Literacy Council is also supporting online donations for school supplies through the Stuff the Bus virtual drive organized by the United Way of Frederick County which runs June 12 through July 17. The virtual drive allows for cash donations to purchase school supplies:
https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/StuffTheBus23/team/LiteracyCouncil
Donations of any amount are most appreciated. Here are some examples of what different cash donations might purchase:

$15 buys pencils, markers, and crayons for one kindergarten student
$50 supports one elementary student with basic supplies
$150 provides a middle school student with all necessary supplies, including a backpack
$200 buys a high school student basic supplies, including a graphing calculator
$500 provides 10 pre-k students with all necessary supplies, including backpacks

STUFF THE BUS IN-PERSON DROP OFF:
You may drop off your donation of new items at the Literacy Council office Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., beginning Monday, June 19 through Monday, July 31.
Please drop off items in the collection bin in the lobby of our 110 E. Patrick Street entrance to the library (the administrative entrance where our door is located.) You can enter through our door or the front double doors on Patrick Street. Those doors will be unlocked between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Use this link to view the complete list of needed items.
Thank you for helping us Stuff the Bus and helping FCPS students start the school year with the supplies they need to succeed!
For more information about Stuff the Bus and how to donate, visit https://www.unitedwayfrederick.org/StuffTheBus

Ribbon Cutting
2023-09-08 10:00 - 10:30 | Literacy Council of Frederick County, MD, United States
We are excited to announce our 60th Anniversary ribbon cutting on International Literacy Day, Friday, September 8th at 10 a.m. The Ribbon Cutting is hosted by the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce for elected officials, Board of Directors members, staff and friends of the Literacy Council in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Council’s founding in 1963.

In the Streets - Scavenger Hunt
2023-09-09 11:00 - 17:00
Save the date for our Scavenger Hunt during the annual In the Streets festival on September 9th, hosted by Celebrate Frederick. The Scavenger Hunt will be one of several events happening this week to celebrate the Literacy Council’s 60th anniversary! We’re partnering with Surelocked In Escape Games to create a fun game where you and your family and friends will visit different businesses around Downtown Frederick.
For a chance to win prizes, just visit the Literacy Council table to play our game from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Find us across from Surelocked In Escape Games at 5 N. Market Street. 1st Place: $75 Downtown Frederick Gift Card, 2nd Place: $50 Gift Card to Curious Iguana. Winners will be announced the week of September 11th.

Tutor Chat - In Person!
2023-09-22 14:00 - 15:00 | Literacy Council of Frederick County, MD, United States
Join other tutors from the Literacy Council in enjoying tea and cookies, while you get to chat and have questions answered by our coordinators!
RSVP and find out more information by emailing: info@frederickliteracy.org

Volunteer Appreciation Picnic
2023-10-01 14:00 - 17:00
The Literacy Council is hosting a picnic on Sunday, October 1 from 2-5 p.m. at Middletown Park in Middletown as a thank you to our volunteers! Volunteers will receive an invitation through Eventbrite in early September with more details.

Holiday Book Drive 2023
2023-11-01 - 2023-12-22
This holiday season the Literacy Council of Frederick County is partnering with ACNB Bank and Curious Iguana for our 17th Annual Holiday Book Drive to provide new and gently-used books for elementary school aged children (PreK through 5th grade). Last year, over 900 children’s books were donated!
The Literacy Council works with adults 18 years and older, many of whom are supporting families and young children. 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 donated books from this annual book drive are given to parents of children in elementary school who are participating in the Literacy Council’s tutoring, parent literacy, workplace, or class instruction programs.
The Literacy Council works directly with the Judy Center and Butterfly Ridge, Hillcrest, Lincoln, Monocacy, Tuscarora, and Waverley Elementary Schools to provide programs 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. Books will also be distributed to children at community outreach events throughout the year.
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. 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.
To participate in the Holiday Book Drive, you may purchase and donate books between November 3 and December 22 at Curious Iguana (www.curiousiguana.com) in downtown Frederick (12 N. Market St.) – please designate your purchase to the Literacy Council’s Holiday Book Drive and Curious Iguana will collect them in a bin at their store. You can also shop online through their Bookshop link to browse a collection of recommended children’s titles selected for this year’s Holiday Book Drive, or search for any title on Bookshop. Books can be delivered to your home or directly to the Literacy Council (mailing address: Literacy Council of Frederick County, 110 E. Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701). Even though you are shopping online, you will still be supporting a local business.
Donated unwrapped books can be dropped off at these ACNB Bank locations between November 3rd through December 20th:
2 North on the Square: 2 North Market Street. Frederick, MD 21701
Aspen Ridge: 165A Thomas Johnson Drive, Frederick, MD 21702
Crestwood: 6910 Crestwood Boulevard, Frederick, MD 21703
Walkersville: 200 Commerce Drive, Walkersville, MD 21793
The Literacy Council will also have a collection bin at its office at 110 E. Patrick Street, in the C. Burr Artz Public Library. The office is open M-F from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Curbside drop off can be arranged by appointment with requests sent to info@frederickliteracy.org
Help get the word out! Share this Holiday Book Drive flyer!
Over the years, the Holiday Book Drive has provided books for multiple local agencies including Centro Hispano, Head Start, YMCA, Toys for Tots, Advocates for Homeless Families, Children of Incarcerated Parents (COIP), Blessings in a Backpack, Spanish Speaking Community of Maryland and FCPS.

Celebration of Achievements 2024 @ ERUCC @ 6 PM
2023-11-02 18:00 - 20:30 | Evangelical Reformed UCC, West Church Street, Frederick, Maryland, 21701, United States
Monday, November 4, 2024, 6 PM – 8:30 PM
We are looking forward to recognizing the accomplishments of our adult learners at our 10th Annual Celebration of Achievements event. We will also announce the recipient of this year’s Literacy Council’s Business & Industry Partner in Literacy Award and present the Elizabeth H. Seligmann Award, the Literacy Council’s highest volunteer award, recognizing individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to literacy.
This special ceremony will recognize our adult learners in the tutoring program who reached a milestone achievement from the past fiscal year, July 2023 – June 2024. We are so pleased to honor their hard work and share a special evening together with our community.

Tutor Training Workshop
2023-11-28 18:30 - 20:30, 2024-04-09 18:30 - 20:30
Prepare to tutor an adult who needs to learn English or a native English speaker who needs to improve their reading skills with three evenings of training by our experienced tutor trainers conducted on Zoom. All three evenings are required for completion. You must also attend one Volunteer Information Session or an approved alternative prior to the training.

Volunteer Information Session - Virtual Zoom Call
2023-12-07 19:00 - 20:00
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.
