Saint Gabriel's Church

Loudoun Literacy Council

703-724-1362

www.loudounliteracy.org

The Loudoun Literacy Council is a private, nonprofit, charitable organization dedicated to improving literacy in Loudoun County. We help low-literate adults and children from disadvantaged families learn to speak, read, write and understand English. For adults, our trained volunteers teach convenient and year-round English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses in churches and community centers. We also provide individualized tutoring to native speaking adults who struggle with reading or who hope to obtain their GED. In our Family Literacy Program, we encourage the love of reading and books by reading to preschoolers in the Head Start program (a program for children who live at or below the poverty level), reading in local homeless shelters, and with seniors in several assisted living residences in the county. We also sponsor book-focused events, such as “Loudoun Reads”, featuring local authors and dignitaries who present selections from their favorite books

A Literacy Council staff member gave a preschooler a new book to keep. The child proudly announced, “Now I have 2 books and you gave both of them to me!” (How many books does your child own?)

One of our adult students said, “When you are in your own country, English is helpful but not necessary to know. . . . it is good to know English in United States. If you will know English enough you will get better job, better life. You will never feel stupid again.”

$10 Tape Player for a Disadvantaged Preschooler: A gift of $10 allows Loudoun Literacy to purchase a tape player to allow a preschooler to listen to a book on tape (from our Book and Tape lending library or the public library). Not only will s/he enjoy the book, but also everyone in the family will be able to increase their exposure to both spoken and written English!

$25 Materials for One Adult Literacy Learner: A gift of $25 allows Loudoun Literacy to purchase the book and necessary supplies for one ESL, GED or basic literacy student to participate in one fourteen week tutoring session; helping him/her to prepare to step up to a better job, a more active role in the community and a better life.

$50 Family Book Party: A gift of $50 will allow us to provide a family book party- including dinner, a book reading, crafts, and books to take home- for two families living at or below the poverty line. In addition to a free and fun evening out together, these families will grow in community as they socialize with the other families in attendance, and experience the joy of children’s literature with their children.

Any Amount: All agencies have overhead costs including rent, utilities, audit expenses, fundraising costs, etc. These types of unrestricted funds are critical to keep the Loudoun Literacy Council operating. Your gift in any amount for general operating support will help keep the Loudoun Literacy Council doors open so we can continue to serve Loudoun County residents.