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County Executive Ike Leggett, MCAEL Partners Sign Right to Literacy Scroll
Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett and members of the MCAEL coalition gathered for a signing of the Declaration of the Right to Literacy Scroll. Joining Mr. Leggett in the photos above are Lily Qi, Montgomery County Government; Mario Alvarenga, Spanish Catholic Center; Donna Kinerney, Montgomery College; Briana Gowing, Verizon; and Heather Ritchie and Rachel Glass, MCAEL The Declaration, a national pledge for literacy, acknowledges that the ability to read, write, and communicate in English is fundamental to full and equitable participation in American democracy. The Declaration also calls for access and support for the educational services required to achieve English literacy.
Upon signing the scroll, Leggett joined with the many leaders from across the country who have supported literacy by signing the scroll. Today in Montgomery County, over 130,000 residents are limited in their ability to communicate in English, and more than 80,000 adult residents lack basic literacy, i.e. the skills to complete a job application.
Also featured above are MCAEL provider representatives and board president, Aryani Ong, who also joined in signing the scroll. The Scroll has traveled across the country and been signed by tens of thousands of supporters at community events, city halls, conferences, and in classrooms in 31 states and 76 cities. It has been supported by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Council on Foundations, Literacy Funders Network, ProLiteracy, National Center for Family Literacy, WE LEARN, Department of Education’s Office of Adult and Vocational Education, and many others. The scroll is making its way to the White House and is expected to reach the White House in September 2010.
Volunteer Program for English Proficiency (VPEP) at NIH Receives Prestigious Directors Award
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Volunteer Program for English Proficiency (VPEP)Program received the agency’s highest achievement when it accepted the NIH Director’s Award in recognition of the program’s “exceptional dedication to creating an opportunity for NIH students to improve their communication skills through the Volunteer Program for English Proficiency.”
With support from MCAEL, the volunteer-led NIH VPEP program received training and materials to support their program, which helps building maintenance staff develop their English literacy skills during their lunch break. As part of their grant, the program produced a guide for other federal agencies who may be interested in supporting similar volunteer programs for their employees.
MCAEL Releases State of Adult English Literacy Report
Today in Montgomery County, one in seven residents is limited in their ability to communicate in English, and more than 80,000 adults lack the basic literacy skills to complete a job application. To learn more about the challenges and opportunities facing the County, click here to view the first-ever report, issued by MCAEL in July 2010.
Click here to view MCAEL's Strategic Plan, and learn more about the steps we are taking to address this challenge over the coming three years.
MCAEL Announces FY11 Grants for Adult English Literacy Progams
The Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy announces the award of more than $500,000 in grants to support adult English literacy programs across Montgomery County. Funding for the grants is provided in partnership with the Montgomery County Government, thanks to the generous support of County Executive Leggett and members of the Montgomery County Council. The objective of MCAEL’s grants program is to increase the availability of adult English literacy services offered to diverse populations, and to improve the quality of those services. For more information, please read our press release or click here to view a list of grants awarded.
MCAEL Salutes Community Advocate, Marcia Mindel
Thank you to our friends and supporters who let us know they sent letters to the Governor, County Executive, and others to thank them for their support. We give special appreciation to Marcia Mindel, winner of our raffle. Says Marcia, “I am committed to doing what I can to help further literacy in adults and children. I retired in 2006 after teaching for MCPS for 35 years as a Special Education teacher. I continue to substitute at Viers Mill (my school for 30 years) and I am still very involved with the parents. I know first hand how important it is for the parents of our children to be literate. The success and future of our children depend on us educating their parents. I am proud to teach an ESOL class for Linkages to Learning at Highland Elementary. I really feel we are making a difference. MCAEL is an awesome organization. I will do whatever I can to help you advocate for Adult Literacy.”
IQ Solutions Hosts Employee Bookdrive in Support of Literacy
IQ Solutions, a Rockville-based information, communications, and education firm whose motto is Knowledge Improves Lives, recently embraced the cause of literacy. During the month of December, employees of the firm collected nearly 400 high-quality children’s’ books and snacks. The items are being donated to MCAEL and will be used by local programs Silver Spring Team for Children and Families and Linkages to Learning to support family  literacy.
MCAEL salutes IQ Solutions for their commitment and generosity to the community, and gives special thanks to coordinator Shelley Caplan.
Pictured at right are members of IQ Solutions staff with books collected during the drive.
From left to right are: Rachel Glass, MCAEL; Mary Anne Hess, Silver Spring Team; and IQ Solutions Staff, Shehani Selvarajah; Connie Holland; Shelley Caplan; and Manuel Alvarez.
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