Loudoun Literacy Council

Specific Need

There are many compelling reasons to support Loudoun Literacy Council and help fulfill its mission of literacy for all in Loudoun: the satisfying smile on a child's face when they finish reading a favorite book; an adult earning a job promotion because of their hard work to acquire stronger communication skills; the contentment of a parent after a productive discussion with their child’s teacher having gained the ability to discuss and communicate fully and directly; the eyes of a child lighting up with the gift of a book (just remember those days, as a child, when you received a book from a favorite person in your life!).

Literacy opens many doors and we hope it opens your hearts today!

Every dollar counts...Here’s what you can help us do!

$25 pays for an at-risk expectant family to receive a Baby Book Bundle (2 new board books, early literacy information, and a baby gift each).

$50 pays for a year’s worth of Early Literacy New Book Packs for a child in Loudoun County Public School’s Head Start program.

$100 pays for a new book for an entire classroom of STEP (Starting Towards Excellence In Preschool) low-income preschoolers, as part of our early literacy initiative.

$300 pays for one-year of adult literacy classes for 4 students.

$500 pays for dinner, prizes and new books for a Family Literacy Night Event for children living in the homeless shelter.

$1,000 pays for textbooks and materials for two adult literacy classrooms of 20 students.

$2500 pays for individuals and small group tutoring in all subject areas, including GED, Citizenship, ELL, Basic Reading and Writing.

$5,000 pays for the annual cost of recruiting, training, and thanking our volunteer teachers.

$10,000 would underwrite one term of adult literacy classes offered- from beginner to advanced, averaging 400 students per term.

Mission

Loudoun Literacy Council’s mission is to teach English communication skills and provide literacy resources to empower low-income adults and children to become self-sufficient and confident in their ability to achieve their personal and professional goals.

Profile

43 Years of Serving Loudoun County Residents (1980-2023)

In a world full of information, literacy is the most important skill.

Chances are if you are reading this, you don’t share a problem that more than 130,000 adults in Northern Virginia struggle with every day: illiteracy. Let’s be clear, literacy is not just the ability to read and write. In today’s world, it is so much more. It means having the skills to access and navigate the online world, take care of our health, get a job and give our children a better life. In short, literacy is what allows us to be active and productive members of our community and reach our full potential. It is the most critical skill.

Why It Matters

HEALTH – The American Journal of Public Health reports that the inability to read and understand health information accounts for $232 billion in healthcare costs each year. Low literacy is linked to problems with accessing preventative medical care, delayed diagnosis, and following instructions such as prescription labels. Limited literacy actually shortens lifespan.

EMPLOYMENT – Unemployment tied to low literacy levels accounts for an annual cost of $225 billion in lost productivity, crime and lost tax revenue according to the National Council for Adult Learning.

POVERTY - The relationship between literacy and poverty is clear. The National Institute for Literacy estimates that 43% of adults with very low literacy skills live in poverty.

GENERATIONAL LITERACY – Literacy patterns are established early. The National Bureau of Economic Research tells us that 72% of children whose parents struggle with literacy will have the same struggle. Further, a child who is a poor reader at the end of first grade is nearly 90% likely to remain a poor reader in fourth grade.

The statistics are sobering.

What We Do

For the last forty-three years the goal of Loudoun Literacy Council has been as simple as it is compelling.

Our vision is that all those who live and work in Loudoun County will have the literacy skills required to participate and thrive in our community.

FAMILY LITERACY PROGRAMS

We know that parents are children’s first teachers and that learning occurs well beyond the traditional school settings. To that end, Loudoun Literacy Council has developed programs and initiatives designed to partner with Loudoun County Public Schools, local community organizations and homeless shelters to meet the unique needs of the families we serve. Teaching parents how to promote a passion for reading and helping families build their own libraries is a key priority for us.

Baby Book Bundles – Yes, literacy really can begin on day one. So each year we deliver hundreds of Baby Book Bundles to new and expectant parents. Each bundle contains several baby books, including a bi-lingual baby book, and helpful instructions for how to read to your new baby.

Head Start and STEP – Loudoun Literacy Council plays an important role in helping to deliver the Head Start and STEP (Starting Towards Excellence in Preschool) programs in Loudoun

County Public Schools. We provide weekly reading sessions, mobile classroom libraries and monthly book packs so children can begin their very own home libraries. We also provide instructional materials for parents so that reading can continue well beyond the classroom.

Family Literacy Nights – As part of our collaboration with Loudoun County Public Schools we host Family Literacy Nights throughout the school year. Dinner is provided, followed by a fun and entertaining story time. We use the story time as a model to teach parents how to read to their own children. In addition each family receives literacy tips for home reading and several gently used books. It’s a fun night for everyone!

Fall for Reading – Each fall we host ‘Fall for Reading’ in partnership with the Loudoun County Public Library where we encourage members of the public to come to the Library, enjoy yummy snacks, fun activities, and great stories. The best part is taking home some new and gently used books.

Book Builder Program – Over the years we have become a popular repository for gently used books. Through the Book Builder program, books are donated by individuals, companies and organizations; many holding book drives on our behalf. We then distribute these books to a growing number of community partners. Every year we are astonished by the level of generosity shown by the public as some 10,000 books are distributed to families across our community. We can’t think of a better purpose for used books!

Story Walk – One of our newer programs combines reading and fitness. Each Story Walk features a different storybook. Pages of the book are posted along a walking path and children walk (or run!) from one page to the next until they have read the entire story. When they are done there are fun activities and healthy snacks. Best of all they get to take the story book home with them.

Sweet Dreams Program – We know that families who are homeless often struggle with literacy. So we launched the Sweet Dreams Program. Each week we send trained volunteers into local homeless shelters for a one-hour literacy program. Our volunteers read stories to the children and engage in fun activities. Additionally, we provide the parents with literacy tips and free books.

ADULT LITERACY PROGRAMS

Many of the adults we serve do not have a strong command of the English language. Some possess a high school diploma or equivalent but have gaps in their skills such as reading and understanding basic information. Most are employed and are looking to advance their professional skills. They come to us with a wealth of life experiences and knowledge. Many are motivated to learn because they want to serve as role models for their children and help their children to succeed in school.

Literacy today comes in many forms – health literacy, financial literacy, jobsite literacy. Our course offerings are designed to provide our learners with practical skills that will help them to navigate a world of information in any context.

ESOL Classes – We offer six levels of basic English classes from early beginner to advanced. Our sessions take place weekdays and weeknights in libraries, community centers, churches

and schools across Loudoun County. Placement in the appropriate class level is determined by a short speaking and writing test at the time of registration.

Stepping Stones to Literacy – This program is for our students who struggle with very low literacy and whose first language is not English.

GED Preparation - Our classes in Math, Science, Writing, Language Arts and Social Studies are offered on an on-going basis to help students prepare for the GED test. Individualized assistance with particular subjects is also available through our tutoring program.

Tutoring - Individualized tutoring sessions are available for those who need a little extra help in a specific area or for those who are unable to attend our regular classes. This includes conversational practice, citizenship test preparation, business English for professionals, professional certification support, and other tailored instruction as needed.

School Success – We know that success in school depends on a strong parent – school relationship. So the Adult Literacy School Success program offers classes to parents with

limited English proficiency and who have students in the Loudoun County Public School system. We teach these parents how to navigate the school system including how to prepare for a parent-teacher conference, navigating on-line portals and understanding report cards.

Financial Literacy – Lacking financial literacy and not knowing how to manage one’s personal finances carries a high cost. A National Financial Educators Council study reports that lack of financial literacy cost Americans more than $415 billion in 2020 alone. Our financial literacy workshops are designed to help learners understand banking and basic financial principles such as budgeting, credit, investments and home ownership.

Health Literacy - We offer award winning workshops designed to help our students navigate the healthcare system and take control of their health and wellness.

Jobsite Literacy – We partner with local businesses and organizations to provide customized work-focused English instruction at their work site.

Workforce Development Week - September is Work Force Development month. So each year we partner with Loudoun Workforce Resource Center to provide workshops designed to teach practical skills that help adult students navigate the world of business.

Story Telling Workshops – We know that low levels of literacy can lead to loneliness and even depression because people are unable to connect with their community. A critical factor of belonging is the ability to share your story. Our Story Telling Workshops empower students to tell their own story and connect in meaningful ways with their community.

Our 43 years of history have taught us that literacy is so much more than reading. It is vital to the strength and resilience of our community. It allows people to develop the skills they need to work, ensure the health and financial security of their families and contribute in positive ways to their community.

We have learned that literacy opens a world of information and possibilities. But to the families we serve literacy is nothing less than life changing.

Help us continue to lift-up lives in Loudoun County by supporting us during #GiveChoose2023. Thank you!