HJ226: Commending the Loudoun Literacy Council.

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 226

Offered February 12, 2020
Commending the Loudoun Literacy Council.
Patrons-- Subramanyam; Senators: Bell and Boysko

WHEREAS, the Loudoun Literacy Council, a nonprofit organization providing literacy services in Loudoun County, celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2020; and

WHEREAS, initially providing only English tutoring services for recently arrived refugees, since 1980, the Loudoun Literacy Council has vastly diversified its offering of literacy enrichment opportunities; and

WHEREAS, today, services provided by the Loudoun Literacy Council include classes and tutoring in basic literacy and financial literacy for adults, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses, General Educational Development (GED) and citizen test preparation, and an array of other programs to improve communication and learning skills; and

WHEREAS, since 1998, Loudoun Literacy Council has provided the literacy-enrichment component of Loudoun County Public Schools’ Head Start program, expanding curriculum in 2017 to include the Starting Toward Excellence Program; and

WHEREAS, the Loudoun Literacy Council supports at-risk members of the community by providing literacy activities and books to homeless shelters, low-income expectant and new parents, and partner organizations in Loudoun County; and

WHEREAS, each year, the Loudoun Literacy Council acquires new nonprofit, public, and private partners that share its ambition to ensure all members of the community have the literacy skills needed to thrive, enabling the organization to extend its program offerings and reach more individuals and families; and

WHEREAS, the accomplishments of the Loudoun Literacy Council were made possible by the exceptional commitment of more than 500 volunteers, who collectively gave over 5,000 hours of their time in 2019; and

WHEREAS, annually serving more than 2,000 economically disadvantaged individuals and families, the Loudoun Literacy Council combats illiteracy, promotes civic engagement, and contributes greatly to the well-being of the entire Loudoun County community; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Loudoun Literacy Council, a nonprofit organization that has improved the lives of countless individuals, on the occasion of its 40th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Nikki Daruwala, Executive Director of the Loudoun Literacy Council, as an expression of the General Assembly’s profound admiration for the organization’s efforts to assist residents of Loudoun County and the Commonwealth.