One in ten Frederick County adults is functionally illiterate. Together we can end illiteracy.

2017 Annual Report

New Literacy Council Website Literacy Council Receives Rotary Grant f you’re a regular visitor to the Literacy Seen left to right back row: Michelle Shipley, RCF; Jeff Grills and Lisa Bruck, Co-Directors ICouncil’s website, you’re probably of FCPS’s; Rick Simons, RCF; Bob Robey, East Frederick Rising; Nancy Thrasher, RCF; Shari surprised by its brand-new look. We hope Scher, President & Founder, Children of Incarcerated Parents; Tony Checchia, RCF; Corey you’re finding the site is more responsive, Shorb and Susan Hood, Up and Out Foundation; Joanne McCoy, RCF; Norrine Haas, RCF. Front row, left to right: Susan Thornton, Other Voices; Laurie Fisher, Literacy Council of more informative, and more visually Frederick County; Linda Clark, Sheriff’s Ranch; Suzi Borg, Mental Health Association. representative of the important services our organization provides. he Rotary Club of Frederick recently For the past three years, the Literacy Tawarded the Literacy Council a $12,000 Council has been conducting workplace The idea to create a new website came Significant Partnership Grant to expand the classes for kitchen workers in several about two years ago, initiated by concerns Council’s workplace programs over the next downtown Frederick restaurants, and most that the original website was not mobile year. The Council’s workplace program recently at Dutch’s Daughter Restaurant. device-friendly, didn’t show up readily helps low-literate employees find and Our workplace restaurant English classes in searches, and was hard to maintain. keep sustainable employment by teaching have been popular with both employers Public relations professional Scott Grove them English language skills. The program and employees, and we will continue to donated his time and expertise to help us will also help employers retain a better- expand this program. Many thanks to the determine our needs and expectations for educated workforce and reduce turnover. Rotary Club of Frederick! an improved web presence.

The Ausherman Family Foundation Literacy in the Workplace awarded a Capacity Building Grant that allowed us to hire a professional team. The grant covered website design and construction by Jean Peterson Design, video production by Digital Bard, and photography by C. Kurt Holter. Three new video clips were developed from the Congratulations to kitchen staff at Ayse Meze Lounge (left) and Dutch’s Daughter perspective of our ESL and Basic Literacy Restaurant (right) who participated in an 8-week workplace English class taught at the students, and tutors. restaurants this year. Ayse Meze owner Nezih Pistar is seen with instructors Denise Dertzbaugh and Marianne Dacey. A similar recognition took place at Dutch’s Daughter Website – continues page 4 where Manager Jeff Schenkel joined instructors Barbara Kippen and Andy Zarick. BOARD OF DIRECTORS & STAFF Catherine Cox President Richard Haney Vice President Patricia Hanberry Secretary President’s Message Executive Director’s Message Laurie Fisher Lisa Myers Catherine Cox Executive Director Treasurer President of the Board of Directors

Richard Adams For over a decade I’ve been a volunteer From my viewpoint at the base of our spiral Director with the Literacy Council of Frederick staircase, I have the pleasure of greeting our Caroline Gaver County, and I’m honored now to be its students and tutors when they arrive each Board Member Emeritus board president. day. As I watch our students climb up the circular to join their tutors for their James Grissom I met my first tutors and students weekly sessions, I can’t help but think that Director while I was working in the office. I saw our staircase is symbolic of the journey April Lee applicants’ faces light up when they that each student is traveling to achieve Director learned that we could help them and that their goals, step-by-step, sometimes uphill, John Tisdale their lessons would be free. A number of sometimes down. Our students are on their Director them, immigrants from other countries, own individual journeys to learn to read or questioned me about why people speak English, and their passage has many Geordie Wilson would volunteer so much time to teach stops along the way before they reach their Director strangers. I’ve never felt more patriotic destination -- whether it is to get a better job, Holly Bohman, Catherine Coundjeris than when explaining that volunteerism a driver’s license, pass their citizenship exam & Karen Nagy is an important component of American or to read to their children and help them Volunteer ESL Program Coordinators society. with homework. At first they are hesitant, but after a few weeks, our students’ faces light up Lynn Bruton Our tutors have dedication, courage, and when they arrive, begin their upwards climb Volunteer Basic Literacy Program imagination. They are rocks. There are no and are warmly greeted by their volunteer & In-Service Coordinator words of praise sufficient for them. Our tutor. When they leave, they are smiling and Freida Pryor students are some of the most dedicated happy, going out into our community with Volunteer Materials Coordinator people I’ve ever met. I imagine working new-found confidence and hope. two jobs while raising a family. Would Evonne Rogers I be able to summon the determination I am forever thankful for our more than 150 Volunteer Classes Coordinator and energy to attend tutorials or classes? volunteers who accompany our students on Laurie Fisher But they do. their journeys, going above and beyond their Executive Director weekly tutoring sessions, as companions, We do great work at the Literacy Council. advocates and cheerleaders giving over 14,400 Diana R. Halleman We give our adult learners the tools they hours of your valuable time this past year. I Office Manager/Volunteer Coordinator need to improve their own lives – and am also thankful for the donors, foundations, to enter into full participation in our and businesses who together make it possible Programs & Services community here in Frederick County. for the Literacy Council to carry out its work; Basic Literacy • Workplace Literacy At year’s end I am full of gratitude to our to our fellow nonprofits with whom we join English as a Second Language tutors and other volunteers, to our staff, to meet the basic needs of our neighbors; and Citizenship • Prison Literacy and to all the individuals, businesses, and finally to our students and their families who Health, Math & Computer Literacy foundations who support us and make have entrusted this part of their journey to the Beginning Writing, Conversation this endeavor possible. Thank you! Literacy Council. & Pronunciation Classes [email protected] [email protected] 110 East Patrick Street Frederick MD 21701 www.frederickliteracy.org Literacy Council Mission Statement [email protected] To teach adults in Frederick County the reading and other English language skills they need to 301-600-2066 provide for their families and contribute to the well-being and prosperity of our community. New Board Members & Program Coordinators

James Grissom, MD April Lee Geordie Wilson Holly Bohman Linda Bruton Karen Nagy Evonne Rogers

lease welcome our new board members, Please also welcome our new volunteer They are available for meetings, emails, Pwho individually and collectively bring program coordinators: (from left to right) and phone calls to be of assistance in any a wealth of professional experience and Holly Bohman, Linda (Lynn) Bruton, way they can. We are now offering Tutor leadership in the Frederick County commu- Karen Nagy and Evonne Rogers who join Chats at the office every third Wednesday nity. James Grissom, MD, is a retired phy- Catherine Coundjeris. Together they have from 3:00 until 4:00 p.m. for tutors to come sician and Literacy Council tutor. April Lee over 85 years of experience in education. in and share their experiences, and Tutor is co-owner of Lee Building Maintenance They have generously volunteered their In-Service presentations. (with her husband, Jason). Geordie Wilson time and talents to help support our is the publisher of the Frederick News-Post. tutoring program and small group classes.

Council Provides Meaning and Connection for Students and Tutors by Julie Heifetz

At 68, I had been retired for a year and was acquainted her with Baker Park, and we visited looking for a way to use my training, skills, and the Botanical Garden by Metro. I encouraged love of people and their stories. I had talked her to take classes at FCC’s ESL program, and with and written books about Holocaust she and her husband came to my home for a survivors and had thought a lot about the meal. Eun Hee’s charming personality shines resilience they’d needed to start over again. through, and she has made many other new Today, adults who emigrate to our county have friends. Eun Hee is happy now with her life many opportunities, but also many struggles. in the USA. She plans to take the citizenship They too require resilience, and can’t move exam in another year. forward without learning English. I wanted to help ease their way, so I found the Literacy Young Sil was raised in Seoul, where she Eun Hee and tutor Julie Heifetz Council of Frederick County, which offers a was an award-winning student. Due to her supportive, caring place for students and tutors father’s sudden illness, she had to take care of to connect with others in the pursuit of the her house and little brother, and her studies English language. I don’t know who benefits suffered. She did not go to college, but worked more, the student or the tutor. in a bank and got married. She came to the USA with her husband and children, and for Both students I tutor are from South Korea. 26 years she worked in different jobs here, Eun Hee is in her 30’s. She was raised in but without learning English. Her children rural Korea and married a Korean-American finished with college, she says, “Now, it is man she met in this country. An outgoing my turn.” She still works at her husband’s and sociable person in Korea, she seemed business but is a dedicated student. She does depressed and withdrawn when we first met. her homework after work, often studying Young Sil and tutor Julie Heifetz She felt isolated and was very self-conscious until 3:00 a.m. She passes each level of our about knowing little English. I became not books saying, ”Again. I need to do it again,” I feel tremendous gratitude to the Literacy only her tutor, but her first American friend. and will not go on to the next level until she Council for the opportunity to be involved We worked on grammar, vocabulary, and feels she remembers and can do it all perfectly. in the lives of such industrious and engaging especially pronunciation. “My tongue, it The same is true of her classes at FCC. She people, surrounded by other skillful, caring doesn’t work,” she used to say. Now, after two has made new friends now, which thrills her. tutors with fascinating backgrounds, and a years, she can pronounce most words clearly She smiles constantly but is still hesitant in staff who want to help others become happy, and she speaks with more confidence and joy. speaking. She says I am her American mom. productive contributors to our community. Surprised by her own success, she sees herself She is a proud citizen of the United States and as a good student for the first time in her life. I is hungry to continue her education. Beth Lowe Honored With DAR Award Think Planned Giving!

n September, Past President of the Board, mission and Have you thought about IBeth Lowe, received the Daughters of the volunteer planned giving? Board American Revolution – Carrollton Manor recruitment. President Catherine Cox Chapter Community Service Award for As a result, is writing her will and 2017 for her many contributions to the work the chapter asked Board Member of the Literacy Council of Frederick County. decided to Emeritus Caroline Gaver spend its 2016 (seen right) about “Beth has done so much for the Literacy Day of Service planned giving. Council and it was wonderful to see this volunteer- recognized. Her heart is as big as her smile, ing to paint the Literacy Council’s new Caroline: I became involved with the Literacy and that’s saying something,” said Cather- classroom, with Beth also pitching in. The Council in 1975 because the people who ine Cox, current board President. successful partnership has continued, with worked on our couldn’t read. It got me Beth coordinating a book donation from interested in how you can help an adult who Beth joined the Board in 2011 and plunged Carrollton Manor, resulting in a donation can’t read. So I signed up for a tutor workshop. right in, volunteering for the strategic of six specialized textbooks for the Literacy Catherine: And you worked with Betty planning committee, helping to develop Council’s lending library for its 100+ vol- Seligmann, right? The woman after whom our a 5-year plan for the organization. She unteer tutors. Community Foundation fund is named? recently served as Board President from 2015-17. Beth shares her expertise from “You can tell from working with Beth, Caroline: Yes. Betty and I became very good State Farm in the field of change manage- and listening to her presentations, that friends. She and her husband, Ed, were two ment with our tutors and staff, and helped she has a passion for the work of the of the most genuinely nice people I have ever to facilitate our new collaboration with Literacy Council. This passion, combined known. Betty had a magnetic personality. She Frederick Community College’s Adult Edu- with her professional experience and the was pretty much a full-time volunteer–the cation Program. She has helped to lead the many hours she volunteers, has helped board president for a time, a tutor and trainer, annual Celebration of Achievements and progress the mission of the Council and and the student-tutor coordinator until she supported a new annual Literacy Council awareness in the community,” said Karen became ill and died. fundraiser – Scrabble Mania for Literacy! Lucas, Carrollton Manor Chapter. Catherine: My husband and I are re-writing Early in 2016, Beth spoke at a DAR chapter our wills this year. If I leave money to the meeting about the Literacy Council’s Literacy Council of Frederick County, should I name the Betty Seligmann Literacy Endow- ment Fund in my will?

Caroline: You can leave money directly to the Council through the Seligmann Fund, or you could establish your own Community Foundation fund to support the Literacy Council. My husband and I have designated the Seligmann Fund in our wills. When I received the Community Foundation Holiday Book Drive Wertheimer Fellow award a few years ago, I put that money into the Seligmann Fund. he Council’s 11th annual Holiday Book Drive, in partnership with Curious Iguana [Caroline was also the 2015 recipient of the Tand Barnes & Noble, collected over 4,000 new books for children in 16 FCPS Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award.] schools participating with Blessings in a Backpack. Catherine: You’ve given more than 40 years of service to the Council. Why did you decide to leave it money, too? Website – continued from page 1 We are indebted to the Ausherman Family Foundation for their generosity and to Caroline: It responds to a need that will the creative people who worked so diligently (and patiently) with us throughout this never go away. Being able to read and to use process. We’re also grateful to the many adult learners and volunteers who offered language is the basis for doing everything helpful feedback and participated in interviews and photography sessions. We think our else. You have to be able to read and to speak new website will be more effective in reaching adults who need our literacy services, English in this country. as well as people who might be interested in tutoring. It is easier for our adult learners, volunteers, and donors to use. Key web pages are available in Spanish. But please tell us For more info about planned giving, visit the what you think of our new website! We’d love your feedback. Call the Literacy Council Literacy Council’s website or contact the office at 301-600-2066 or email [email protected]. Community Foundation of Frederick County. 2016-2017 Donors Thank You! We Couldn’t Have Done It Without You!

* Event Sponsors Religious Weinberg Cntr. for the Arts Terri Driver-Bishop Mr. & Mrs. Michael Geordie Wilson Organizations the Wine Kitchen H. Dubin P. Marsili Renae Winnan St. Mary’s Chapter, Mr. & Mrs. Richard Anna Maslowicz Mr. & Mrs. Roger Businesses All Saint’s Episcopal Individuals E. Fairfax Sarah Matthews C. Wolf Bartlett Tree Experts* Church Richard & Ann Adams Laurie Fisher Lori Maze Michael A. & Kathryn Crisifulli’s Cheese Shop Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Jocelyn Foote Suellen McGovern A. Young Curious Iguana Book Store* In-Kind Donors and Allen Carol Garrison Rita McGowan Mr. & Mrs. Michael First United Bank & Trust* Sponsors Anonymous John Gatewood Kathleen McKee S. Young Frederick County Bank* Ric & Ann Adams Anonymous Mr. & Mrs. Joel Gaver Linda Moran Andy Zarick Gaver Farm* Orioles Clare Archer Sara Gibson Linda Moser Jean Peterson Design, Inc.* Big Cork Vineyards Dorinne Armstrong Audrey Glass Stan Mount Gifts Made in Honor Lawyer’s Signature Brewer’s Alley Maria Arthur Judy Goldberg Patricia Murphy or In Memory of Others Settlements, LLC* Michael Campagnoli Betty Baggett Mr. & Mrs. Mark J. Charles Murray Elizabeth Brady – In Leidos Biomedical (Campagnoli, LLC) Sonia Bar-av Goldberg Mr. & Mrs. Scott Najaka memory of Anita Jones Research, Inc.* Carrabas Italian Grill Patricia Barber Christine Grande Maurice O’Leary Donna Dicks – In honor of Mid-Atlantic Hispanic Catherine Cox Julie Barnhill Mr. & Mrs. Randall Michael Paskowsky Nan Principe Chamber of Commerce* Crisifulli’s Cheese Shop Sue Basford B. Gray Richard Peters Crockett’s Birthday Plamondon Cos., Inc.* Valerie Dale Harold Beall Jill Griffith Patrick Pexton Letitia English – In PNC Bank* Don DeArmon Judith Benedict Luke Grimshaw Angela Phillips honor of Elizabeth Pryor’s Nursery* Denise Dertzbaugh Chad Bieber Susan Guissinger Mr. & Mrs. Steve Poteat Loverro’s retirement Sandy Spring Bank* Digital Bard * Susan Birch Norine & Theodore Freida Pryor Lalie Eskay – In Shockley Honda, Inc.* Distillery Lane Cindy Bladey Haas Maylin Ramirez memory of Nick Craig Wonder Book & Video* Ciderworks Thomas Blair Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Ruth Ann Randall Frederick Women’s Woodsboro Bank* Sandy Doggett Gerald Blessing Halleman Kerry Reynolds Civic Club – In honor Dublin Roasters Mary Blessing Patricia Hanberry Karen Richey of Catherine Cox Foundations, Frederick Keys Baseball Charlene Bonham Dr. & Mrs. Richard Barbara Rickman Caroline Gaver – In Trusts & Grants Frederick News-Post* Book Club of the Ladies Haney Evonne Rogers memory of Anita Jones Ausherman Family Trust Caroline Gaver that Lunch and Read Patricia Hart Irene Romersa Caroline Gaver – In Betty Seligmann Julie Gaver Elizabeth Brady Larry Hauver Frances Rondum honor of Bob Moroney Literacy Endowment (Mustloveshoes.com) Annette Breiling Keri-Ann Henson Theresa Rundle Sarah Gladhill – In Fund Grove Public Relations Judith Brennan Andrea Highland Barry Salisbury memory of Anita Jones Community Foundation Diana Halleman Alice Brouillet John Horowitz Susan Scarvalone Carolyn Greiner – In of Frederick Co. Patricia Hanberry Michaela Brown Gail Howard Linda Schakel honor of Rich and Delaplaine Foundation Imagination Center Brunswick Book Club Mr. & Mrs. Brian Andy Schotz Paula Haney Eastern Panhandle Le Parc Bistro Kate Bufter Hundertmark Regine Schwab Norine & Theodore Haas Combined Federal Dam Le Michael Bunitsky II John Janke Stanley Schweinfurth – In memory of their Campaign Lebherz Oil & Vinegar Rhoda & Frank Bush Deborah Jones Bruce Seligmann son, Robert Haas Frederick County Liberty Mountain Resort Quentin Clingerman Jean Joyce Patty Siedling Robert Hundertmark Community Beth Lowe Martin Cole Carolyn Judd Margy Smariga – In honor of Laurie Partnership Grant McCutcheon’s Apple Stacey Collins Marjorie Kapke Fred Spahy Fisher’s birthday Rotary Club of Carroll Products George Conly Samuel Keiter Mamie Springer Marita Loose – In honor Creek Merryhaus Design Beth Conny Bruce Kenworthy Rohini & Visvalingam of Annie Stup Schwab Charitable Mountain Memories at Gordon Cooley Mary Kitsos Sripanjalingam Patty Siedling – In honor Fund Thorpewood, LLC Catherine Cox Ian Klaus Shirley Stroup of Karina Milstein Helen J. Serini Lisa & Eric Myers Sharon Cox Claire Kondig Annie Stup Foundation Freida Pryor Barbara Creager Mary Krause Jennifer Szabo Community Partners State Farm Companies Bo & Babs Savitt Linda Crough Julia Krzysiak Mr. & Mrs. E.H. Tabler Asian American Center Foundation Smooch Studios Pat Custer Janet Kuhns Jacquelyn Tate of Frederick The Nora Roberts Smythe Jewelers Mr. & Mrs. Howard O. George LaDue Mimi Teahan Barnes & Noble Foundation Springfield Manor Cyrus Jason Laird Ruth Tiger Booksellers United Way of Winery & Distillery Liz Deering Maria Laird Hon. John H. Tisdale * Blessings in a Backpack Frederick County Mimi Teahan George Delaplaine Rev. & Mrs. Albert Mary Frances Trunk Dutch’s Daughter Unity Campaign for The Muse Joe DeLizia K. Lane, III Wanet Tyson Family Partnership Frederick County Squirrel’s Nest Mr. & Mrs. Frank M. Lucinda Leonard Doris Vierbuchen Frederick Community Women’s Giving Circle The Temple Dertzbaugh George Lewis Maribeth Visco College of Frederick County Thomas Scott Salon & Spa Cindy Diamondstone Pamela Lewis Maria Vodniza Frederick Co. Public Yelp Foundation Hon. John H. Tisdale Lorraine Disque Zi Lin Natalie Warner Libraries VanGilder Pottery Carroll Doggett Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Lowe Georgia Wells The Judy Center Washington Wizards Martha Doggett Karen Lucas Karen Wenner-Pedersen Way Off Broadway Sandra Doggett Louise Lynch Anne Wieliczko DinnerTheater Alex Dommerich David Markman Marcus Williams

Make a Contribution is To Our Community’s Future Create your legacy by giving the Gift of Literacy. The Community Foundation of Frederick County can assist you with planned giving resources. Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID 110 East Patrick Street • Frederick, MD 21701 Permit #49 Return Service Requested Frederick,

Thanks for Supporting Scrabble MANIA for Literacy!

Saturday, March 10, 2018, 2:00-5:00 p.m., Dutch’s Daughter Restaurant

long-term growth of the organization. the of growth long-term

Literacy Council’s savings and investments in order to offset deficits and support the the support and deficits offset to order in investments and savings Council’s Literacy

made with the knowledge that for the short term it would require the use some of the the of some use the require would it term short the for that knowledge the with made

In 2014, the board acknowledged the need for an Executive Director. This decision was was decision This Director. Executive an for need the acknowledged board the 2014, In

$138,287 $138,287 Total

$147,643 $147,643 Total $11,352 $11,352 Investment

standardized hourly rate of $26.79). of rate hourly standardized

$4,708 $4,708 Events Special $11,586 $11,586 Events Special

monetary value of $390,893 (based on a a on (based $390,893 of value monetary

$12,777 $12,777 Fundraising $80,568 $80,568 Grants

40-hour work weeks. This equates to a a to equates This weeks. work 40-hour

$31,029 $31,029 Administration $3,636 $3,636 Businesses

364 approximately equals which time,

$99,129 $99,129 Program $31,146 $31,146 Individuals

volunteers contributed over 14,591 hours of of hours 14,591 over contributed volunteers

Amount Amount Expense Amount Donations

provided by volunteers. Last year our 154 154 our year Last volunteers. by provided

All Literacy Council direct services are are services direct Council Literacy All

Administration

116-264 students (127%) students 116-264

Grants Fundraising

98-154 volunteers (57%) volunteers 98-154

Special Events Special 2010-2017

Businesses Growth in Volunteers & Students & Volunteers in Growth

Program

Adult Learners: 240 Learners: Adult

Individuals

Special Events Special

(ESL) Language Second a as English

Basic Literacy Adult Learners: 24 Learners: Adult Literacy Basic Investments

Revenue - $138,287 - Revenue

Expenses - $147,643 - Expenses

Who We Served 2016-2017 Served We Who 2016-2017 Finances 2016-2017