Search Results

Volunteer With Us The Whatcom Literacy Council relies on the dedication of volunteer tutors to help adult learners reach their goals and strengthen our community. One-to-One Tutor TUTORS EMPOWER LITERACY IN WHATCOM COUNTY Our tutors work with two types of learners at Whatcom Literacy Council: those who wish to learn the English language, and those who already speak English but need help improving their reading and writing skills. Learn more about each program below. TUTOR Change a life forever as a volunteer tutor. Step 1 Watch both Orientation videos below to learn about Whatcom Literacy Council, the two types of tutoring programs we offer, and the process for becoming a tutor. ​ If needed, you can enable closed captioning by clicking the "CC" icon in the bottom right corner of the YouTube video. Step 2 View the Job Description for becoming a One-to-One Tutor. Step 3 Download and Complete our Volunteer Application. Step 4 Submit your completed application via email by contacting the Program Coordinator that matches your tutoring interest: ​ ALP Tutor (Adult Literacy Program) ​ ELL Tutor (English Language Learner Program) Step 5 Participate in an interview at our office, located on the Bellingham Technical College campus . Please bring your completed application form to the interview. ​ After the interview, you'll attend training sessions that match your placement—either ALP or ELL. The first part of the training will be conducted online; the second part will be conducted in person. As a tutor for Whatcom Literacy Council, you'll receive ongoing support, training, and ready access to our Program Coordinators for consultations.

Volunteer With Us The Whatcom Literacy Council relies on the dedication of tutors, facilitators, and assistants to help adult learners reach their goals and strengthen our community. VOLUNTEERS ARE THE BACKBONE OF OUR FREE PROGRAMS SMALL GROUP FACILITATOR Lead small group classes averaging between 3 to 6 adult learners who want to work together to study reading, writing, and speaking in English. Learn More ONE-TO-ONE TUTOR Change a life forever as a volunteer tutor. We offer comprehensive training and support, and gladly welcome volunteers of all ages and backgrounds! Learn More CLASSROOM ASSISTANT Join instructors at Bellingham Technical College or Whatcom Community College as a volunteer Classroom Assistant to help them teach basic English classes Learn More

We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization Tax ID: 91-1220307 We empower adults in Whatcom County to achieve their goals and improve their lives with free literacy programs. FREE LITERACY PROGRAMS IN WHATCOM COUNTY LEARN Need help with reading or writing? Need help learning English? ​ Come learn FOR FREE at Whatcom Literacy Council! Learn With Us TUTOR Change a life forever as a volunteer tutor or class facilitator. We welcome tutors of all ages and backgrounds! Become a Tutor ASSIST Not ready to take the lead in teaching just yet? Become a volunteer classroom assistant for local college instructors teaching basic English. ​ Assist Instructors We Change People's Lives Roughly two thirds of the people we serve are immigrants who are learning English for the first time. More than half of our learners have no high school diploma or GED, and the majority have no computer at home. Our free, customized, individual tutoring and small group classes make a difference in their lives by... Improving their basic reading, writing, math, computer, and parenting skills. Helping them prepare for a GED test and/or f urther their education. Helping them attain US citizenship. Increasing their employment opportunities. Enabling self-sufficiency. Enhancing the stability of their daily lives. One of the best ways to break the cycle of poverty is to invest in adult education. Success Stories We Promote Equity through Literacy Literacy is one of the most basic of needs. Limited literacy skills are a major contributor to poverty, and a barrier for those marginalized by race and economic status. One of the best ways to break the cycle of poverty is to invest in literacy and adult education. Literate adults are more stable and equipped to help themselves and their families, making our community healthier for everyone. Without literacy, there is no social justice. Literacy gives people a voice to advocate for themselves and their communities about issues that matter, enables them to vote, empowers them to rise above discrimination, and helps their children succeed in school. The Whatcom Literacy Council strives to be a model nonprofit champion of racial equity and social justice. About Us Our Programs IN GRATITUDE TO OUR SPONSORS To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. FOLLOW OUR SOCIAL FEEDS

Success Stories With help from the Whatcom Literacy Council, our students are improving their skills, careers, families, and quality of life. Changing Lives OPENING DOORS. CHANGING LIVES. "Helping your learner achieve something as valuable as literacy, while at the same time watching them build their self-confidence, is quite gratifying." — Volunteer Tutor “I have learned how to use verbs, tenses, adjectives, and nouns. Before I have problems for speaking, I’m always shy. But I didn’t speak English, but now I’m doing well. At work, everyone says, “Veerpal, now you’re doing good.” My teacher, she is teaching is good.” — Veerpal, Learner “The experience of working with a variety of different adults with different skill levels and backgrounds has been eye-opening for me. It is an experience that I really value and I look forward to seeing Veerpal flourish, and to working with other adults who want to learn, or improve, their English skills.” – Kate, Tutor “Testimonial goes here or we can add a statement that says what this learner achieved.” – Shuhei Matsuoka

About Us The Whatcom Literacy Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization helping adults improve their literacy skills and learn English throughout Whatcom County. LITERACY PROMOTES OPPORTUNITY, EMPOWERMENT, AND EQUALITY FOR A SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY Free Literacy Programs for All Since 1983, The Whatcom Literacy Council has been helping adults improve their lives through literacy—offering free small group classes, one-to-one tutoring, and learning resources for adults living in Washington state's Whatcom County. ​ Our customized programs help adults improve their basic reading, writing, math and computer skills, learn English, study for the GED, or prepare to become citizens. ​ From teaching sessions provided at schools, businesses, churches, farms, and libraries, to classes at Bellingham Technical College, Whatcom Community College, and the Goodwill Job Training and Education Center, all of our programs are provided at no cost to the learner. ​ Thanks to the combined dedication of trained volunteers, professional staff, and the generous support of local businesses, organizations and individuals, we provide adult learners with the critical skills they need to become more self-sufficient, more employable, and more involved members of our community. Our Mission: to empower adults to achieve their goals and improve their lives through literacy. Making a Difference in Whatcom County Our Vision: Whatcom County is a community where all adults have the literacy skills they need to thrive. Education and future success are deeply connected. Full time workers with a high school diploma earn almost $10,000 more per year than those without. Whatcom Literacy Council programs enable adults to obtain their General Education Diploma (GED). Over 75% of the jobs in our region require training beyond a high school diploma. Whatcom Literacy Council programs enhance our community's academic skills and help them obtain better jobs with better wages. ​ People who speak English proficiently earn up to 24% more income than those who do not. Roughly 2/3 of Whatcom Literacy Council learners are enrolled in programs to strengthen their English. Stronger literacy skills allow people to be more self-sufficient, which in turn promotes higher employment, added tax revenue, reduced welfare costs, and less crime throughout our community. Our Staff Ashley Meyer Adult Literacy Program (ALP) Coordinator and Classroom Assistant Coordinator (360) 752-8681 Email Brandi Adams English Language Learner (ELL) Coordinator (360) 685-6756 Email Gloria Garcia Small Group Class (SGC) Coordinator Hablo español ​ (360) 752-8679 Email Katherine Freimund Executive Director (360) 752-8678 Email Tami Johnson Associate Director (360) 739-8332 Email Daisey James Media Coordinator Spricht Deutsch (360) 752-8678 Email

Donate to Literacy We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization Tax ID: 91-1220307 Planned Giving Help our community grow and thrive by supporting increased literacy. Give Now Also see... Give Now Drop off Cash Stop in during office hours... cash donations give you the highest tax deduction from your gross income. Mail a Check Make checks payable to Whatcom Literacy Council. If you’re donating in honor of someone, please write this information on the memo line of your check. Tax receipts will be mailed within 4 to 6 weeks after the donation has been processed. Mail to: ​ Whatcom Literacy Council P.O. Box 1292 Bellingham, WA 98227 Donate Online Use your credit or debit card... and consider checking the "monthly" box to make it a regular recurring donation that will provide us with a sustainable revenue stream. By Paypal By Venmo By MightyCause $30 donation provides needed learning resources for learners and tutors. $50 donation supports a learner/tutor pair for 1 month. $300 donation supports a learner/tutor pair for 6 months. $600 donation supports a learner/tutor pair for 1 year. Shop Online at Village Books and Paper Dreams When you want to shop online at Village Books and Paper Dreams, click the button below first. Then, whenever you make a purchase on their website, they'll donate a portion of your sale to us. This is a great way to support a local merchant and literacy for all! Shop and Donate Also see... Planned Giving

Registration Name of Event goes here; change out the photo as needed. Saturday March 14 Starting at 6:00 pm TAG LINE ABOUT EVENT GOES HERE Upcoming Event Title Click on "Edit Text" to edit this content with relevant event details or information that you want to share with people. On this page, you can go into more detail about the event, list speakers, show sponsors (set up as a gallery or simply add a collage of their logos), list auction items, etc. ​ To swap out the photo at left, click the image until you see the white button "change column background" (not change strip background) and then choose the "image" option. Register Today! Paste your jotform code into the grey box below to make your registration form appear. Adjust the box size as needed.

Programs & Classes Learn English Free tutoring for adults who speak other languages. FREE ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNER (ELL) PROGRAM Our English Language Learner Program offers free tutoring services for adults who speak another language and want to learn or improve their English language skills. How it Works English tutoring is free for adults who live in Whatcom County. Learners are carefully assigned to a volunteer tutor. that best matches their needs. ​ The coordinator and tutor will help the learner identify their goals. Learners will meet with this tutor two times per week to work on these goals together. Each tutoring session is coordinated at a time that fits the learner's schedule. Each tutoring session is held in a public location within the learner's community. All tutoring is customized and confidential. Contact Brandi Adams English Language Learner (ELL) Coordinator ​ she/her/hers ell@whatcomliteracy.org (360) 685-6756 Languages Spoken English What You Can Achieve Learn or improve English speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills. ​ Prepare for U.S. citizenship. ​ Get a U.S. driver's license. ​ Prepare for a GED (General Educational Development) test. ​ Learn or improve basic computer skills. ​ Increase employment opportunities. ​ Gain the skills necessary to continue your education. ​​

Programs & Classes The Whatcom Literacy Council offers a variety of free programs and classes to those living in Whatcom County. OUR FREE PROGRAMS PROMOTE SELF-SUFFICIENT ADULTS ADULT LITERACY PROGRAM Free tutoring for English-speaking adults to improve reading and writing skills, prepare for a GED test, or learn basic computer skills. Improve Literacy ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNER Free tutoring for adults who speak another language and want to learn or improve their English language skills. Learn English SMALL GROUP CLASSES Free small classes for adults to practice English, learn computers, prepare for citizenship or the GED. Take a Class

Resources The Whatcom Literacy Council offers a wealth of helpful resources for everyone involved in learning. PROVIDING THE TOOLS TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY LEARN FOR LEARNERS These websites offer all sorts of free classes, exercises, and activities to help you learn. Learner Toolbox FOR VOLUNTEERS Comprehensive resources to help you learn, grow, and excel at teaching and tutoring. Volunteer Toolbox FOR EVERYONE From local community organizations and resources, to recommended books... More Resources RESOURCES FOR LEARNERS English Language Learning (ELL) USA Learns is a free website for adults to learn English and improve their basic reading, writing, speaking, and life skills. Reading and Literacy TV411 is a collection of entertaining videos and engaging web activities, all designed to help you reach your learning goals. Options include reading for success, fine-tuning your writing, expanding your vocabulary, getting a grip on math, and exploring science. General Education Diploma (GED) The PBS Literacy Link - GED Connection offers a variety of activities that you can do on your own or with a tutor. Anyone can set up a user name and log in... even tutors can register as a new teacher to review student’s work. Computers GFC Learn Free offers f ree computer courses for beginners – including typing, using the internet, doing e-mail, and learning Microsoft Office software. RESOURCES FOR VOLUNTEERS Monthly Report Forms ELL Tutor/Learner Progress Report ALP Tutor/Learner Progress Report List of Useful Websites for Tutors Bellingham Public Library Adult Basic Education Collection ProLiteracy Education Network Hopelink Adult Education/Eastside Literacy GED Educator Handbook Useful textbooks for ELL learners Learner Study Skills and Homework Ideas RESOURCES FOR EVERYONE Community Resources Bellingham Technical College (BTC) Whatcom Community College (WCC) Whatcom County Library System Bellingham Public Library Goodwill Job Training & Education Center Book Recommendations The following books were recommended by Nancy Pearl , an American librarian, best-selling author, literary critic, well known speaker and the former Executive Director of the Washington Center for the Book at the Seattle Public Library.. Please consider purchasing them from our supporting partner Village Books , or borrowing them from the Whatcom County Library ! Nancy Pearl, by Susan Doupé The Alice Network by Kate Quinn All the Seas of the World by Guy Gavriel Kay Berlin Game by Len Deighton The Bodyguard by Katherine Center Chain Gang All Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah Chenneville: A Novel of Murder, Loss and Vengeance by Paulette Jiles Dayswork by Chris Bachelder and Jennifer Haber Dreaming in Cuban by Cristina Garcia Vanishing Maps by Cristina Garcia Erasure by Percival Everett The Exceptions: Nancy Hopkins, MIT, and the Fight for Women in Science by Kate Zerinke Gallop Toward the Sun: Tecumseh and William Henry Harrison’s Struggle for the Destiny of a Nation by Peter Stark Good Night, Irene by Luis Alberto Urrea On The Rooftop by Margaret Wilkerson Sexton Hestia Strikes a Match by Christine Grillo The Sellout by Paul Beatty Wednesday’s Child by Yiyun Li Zigzag by Julie Paschkis Library Girl by Karen Henry Clark George and Lizzie by Nancy Pearl

News & Events Stay up to date with Whatcom Literacy Council fundraisers, news, and events. View Our Newsletters View Our Recent Event Free English Conversation Classes Anyone and everyone is welcome to join us at our FREE English Conversation classes... no registration necessary, come as you are! View Class Schedule Location Whatcom Community College Learning Commons Room 302 NEWSLETTERS View Our Most Recent Newsletter March Newsletter February Newsletter

About Us The Whatcom Literacy Council is governed by a group of dedicated volunteers who keep the organization focused on its mission, and are responsible for fiduciary oversight. Board Members NEED NEW BOARD PHOTO INTERESTED IN JOINING OUR BOARD? Learn More President ​ Paqui Paredes Méndez Professor of Spanish Modern & Classical Languages Department Western Washington University ​ Vice President ​ Dr. Bill Gerritz International School S uperintendent & Graduate School Faculty, retired Bangkok/The Netherlands/Venezuela ​ Treasurer ​ Michael Cox Deputy Director Whatcom County Library System ​ Secretary ​ Liz Purdy Manager, Community Affairs Puget Sound Energy Members ​ Carol Choulochas English Teacher, National Sales Rep, Hiring and Training Manager, retired ​ Kaitlyn Gilmore Staff Accountant and CPA Archer Halliday PS, CPAs ​ David Halme Teacher and BC Teachers Union Rep, retired ​ Tobi Martinez Program Coordinator Whatcom Community College ​ Trang Nguyen Tax Associate Larson Gross CPA (a former client, originally from Vietn am) ​ Andres Parra Community Health Worker Catholic Community Services (fa ormer client, originally from Colombia) ​ ​ Become a Board Member Do you have a passion for helping your community? We welcome new Board Members who are willing to dedicate their knowledge, experience, and perspective to help us remain focused on our mission and financially responsible. Board Members typically commit to a minimum of three to eight hours of service per month, and are required to serve a minimum three year term. Board members meet monthly, on the last Monday of each month, from 5:30 pm until 7:00 pm, except during July. If you are interested in joining this important group of individuals, please click on the two buttons below to learn more, complete an application, and email it to director@whatcomliteracy.org . We will respond with more information and an overview of upcoming openings. Roles & Responsibilities Board Application