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Whatcom Literacy Council offers free small group classes to adults looking to improve literacy, practice English conversation, prepare for a GED, prepare for citizenship, and learn basic computer skills in Whatcom County. Volunteer With Us Help small groups of adults work together to learn and improve. Small Group Facilitator SMALL GROUP FACILITATORS HELP ADULTS LEARN MORE... TOGETHER! SMALL GROUP FACILITATORS Whatcom Literacy Council volunteers work with small groups of adults to help them learn and build social skills in the following areas: Talk Time: practicing English conversation. Preparing for the GED (General Education Diploma). Preparing for the Citizenship test. Learning and improving basic computer skills. Open Computer Lab: learning to use online educational resources. Step 1 View the Job Description for becoming a Small Group Class Facilitator . Step 2 Complete our Volunteer Application. Step 3 A program coordinator will reach out to you to set up an interview either in person or via Zoom. If selected, training will follow.

Whatcom Literacy Council provides one-to-one tutors to help people learn the English language or improve their literacy skillscitizenship, and learn basic computer skills in Whatcom County. 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 Complete our Volunteer Application . Step 4 A program coordinator will reach out to you to set up an interview either in person or via Zoom. If selected, training will follow.

Whatcom Literacy Council offers free English Language Learner programs to help adults learn English, improve literacy, practice English conversation, prepare for a GED, prepare for citizenship, and learn basic computer skills in Whatcom County. Volunteer With Us Support instructors who are teaching basic English at our local colleges. Classroom Assistant CLASSROOM ASSISTANTS HELP OUT IN ENGLISH CLASSES CLASSROOM ASSISTANT Whatcom Literacy Council provides trained volunteers to help out in classrooms at Bellingham Technical College and Whatcom Community College at their instructors' request. These programs help their students be more successful and on track to graduate. Examples of the typical range of tasks our assistants provide include: Help the instructor prepare materials and make copies Help the instructor present information Provide classroom tutoring Lead small break-out groups Monitor students Offer encouragement to students Step 1 View the Job Description for becoming a Classroom Assisstant. Step 2 Complete our Volunteer Application. Step 3 A program coordinator will reach out to you to set up an interview either in person or via Zoom. If selected, training will follow. Need More Information? Contact us at (360) 752-8678 or send us an email.

Whatcom Literacy Council staff work part-time. Please make an appointment if you need to speak to someone in person. Contact Us By Phone: (360) 752-8678 By Email: info@whatcomliteracy.org Our staff work part-time. Please schedule an appointment if you want to meet someone in person. Physical Office On Bellingham Technical College campus 3028 Lindbergh Avenue Building A Bellingham, WA 98225 Mailing Address PO Box 1292 Bellingham, WA 98227 For instructions on how to use TTY Services, please go to the Washington Relay website. For TTY Telephone access, please dial 7-1-1. Public Transportation Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) Bus #3 (to Maplewood/Cordata) and Bus #4 (Maplewood to Downtown) serves the BTC campus. The main bus stop for the BTC campus is located on Lindbergh Avenue, in front of the Haskell Center (HC) building.

From our annual Literacy Breakfast and other fundraisers, to regular classes throughout the year, stay up to date with Whatcom Literacy Council through our monthly newsletters and other programs. News & Events Stay up to date with Whatcom Literacy Council fundraisers, news, and events. Sign Up for Our Newsletter 2025 Literacy Breakfast FREE CLASSES FOR ADULT LEARNERS Click Here for Current Class Schedule Nancy Pearl's Book List These are the recommendations from Nancy Pearl to add to your reading list for 2026! Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino The Crazies by Amy Gamerman Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green Flashlight by Susan Choi The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo Giant Love by Julie Gilbert The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater Lula Dean's Little Library of Banner Books by Kirsten Miller Mona's Eyes by Thomas Schlesser Old Filth Trilogy by Jane Gardam Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld Sacrament by Susan Straight In The Country of Women by Susan Straight The Strangers by Ekow Eshun Tilt by Emma Pattee A Walk in the Park by Kevin Fedarko The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden The Wilderness by Angela Flournoy If these titles interest you, consider buying them from our favorite local bookstore, Village Books , or check out a copy from your local library! NEWSLETTERS View Our Most Recent Newsletter

Whatcom Literacy Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that offers free English Language Learner programs to help adults learn English, improve literacy, practice English conversation, prepare for a GED, prepare for citizenship, and learn basic computer skills in Whatcom County. 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

Get answers to your questions about becoming a volunteer tutor, small group class facilitator, or classroom assistant for Whatcom Literacy Council's free English Language Learner tutoring to help adults in Whatcom County. Frequently Asked Questions For Volunteers Interested in becoming a volunteer with Whatcom Literacy Council? Find answers to the most common questions below. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) FOR VOLUNTEERS ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us.

Volunteers are vital to the success of our English Language Learner programs at Whatcom Literacy Council, enabling us to help adults learn English, improve literacy, practice English conversation, prepare for a GED, prepare for citizenship, and learn basic computer skills in Whatcom County. 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

Find the answers you need to learn more about Whatcom Literacy Council's free English Language Learner programs in Whatcom County. Frequently Asked Questions For Learners Interested in becoming a learner with Whatcom Literacy Council? Find answers to the most common questions below. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) FOR LEARNERS ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us.

Donate to Whatcom Literacy Council to help us empower adults to achieve their goals and improve their lives through our free language, literacy, citizenship, GED, and computer classes and programs in Whatcom County. 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 MightyCause By Paypal By Venmo $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

Whatcom Literacy Council relies on people who can provide strong academic skills and a desire to help foster literacy in Whatcom County. Jobs The Whatcom Literacy Council relies on people who can provide strong academic skills and a desire to help foster literacy in our community. Work For Us EDUCATORS. TUTORS. MENTORS. We are not currently hiring for any staff positions. We are always interested talking to potential new volunteers for One-to-One Tutoring, Small Group Class Facilitation, and Classroom Assistants. Learn more here >

Whatcom Literacy Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering free English Language Learner programs to help adults learn English, improve literacy, practice English conversation, prepare for a GED, prepare for citizenship, and learn basic computer skills in Whatcom County. 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) 306-1612 Email Brandi Adams English Language Learner (ELL) Coordinator (360) 685-6756 Email Mara Louter Small Group Class (SGC) Coordinator Hablo español (360) 255 1131 Email Katherine Freimund Executive Director (360) 752-8678 Email Tami Johnson Development Director (360) 739-8332 Email Daisey James Media Coordinator Spricht ein wenig Deutsch (360) 752-8678 Email