Inspiration

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” – Helen Keller

Sunshine, Spring break, Easter, and new beginnings! That’s what Spring is all about.  This year we are all looking forward to progress, moving towards a future full of promise. Many of us have adjusted to a different way of life:  masks, social distancing, and virtual living (i.e., Zoom, distance learning, working from home).  We hope you all are adjusting well, and most importantly, taking care of your mental and physical selves. 

CCLC continues to tutor on a virtual platform, and we look forward to seeing our adult learners (AL) in person, as soon as it is safe to do so. Our office is open on a limited basis, so please call ahead of your visit to ensure someone is available to assist you when needed. Office hours are 9:30-1:30, Monday thru Thursday, and the number is 301-934-6488.

CCLC Monthly Meeting

We will hold our monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 via Zoom, at 7:00 p.m.  We will discuss numerous issues, including tutor news and our upcoming fundraiser (see Events).  The Zoom link, along with the agenda, minutes and treasurer’s report, will be sent out via email the day of the meeting. The terms and positions of the Executive Officers are up for re-election. Elections will be held at this April. At the March monthly meeting, the following nominations were made for the following positions:

            President – Sally Matts

            Vice President – Julie Mitchell

            Secretary – Jen Fritz

            Treasurer – Karla Costello

            Member-at-Large – Helen Harrington, Ray Barrett, Monique Robinson-Poole.

If you are interested in being nominated and serving any one of the above positions, please notify the office.  In addition, CCLC will be proposing to expand the number of positions of Member-at-Large.  Notice of amendment will be issued forthcoming with discussion of same at the April meeting.

Upcoming Events

Balloon Pop Fundraiser Event!

We will be hosting a virtual Balloon Pop Fundraiser on Saturday, May 1, 2021! This may be our biggest fundraiser for 2021. The Balloon Pop will be a fun event, where attendees will visit our website, donate $25, $50, or $100 to “purchase” a balloon. At the virtual event, each balloon will be popped to reveal a prize that will be equal to or more than the dollar amount donated!  If you are unable to attend this event, you can still participate if you have unused gift cards or extra gifts that need a new “home.” Please contact our office and let us know. We would greatly appreciate it!

COVID-19 Update

With sustained vaccine progress and significant improvements in all of the state’s key data metrics, Governor Larry Hogan announced new actions to further ease the COVID-19 mitigation measures currently in place. (To register for your vaccination, click here.)

CAPACITY LIMITS LIFTED. Effective Friday, March 12 at 5 p.m., capacity limits will be lifted on outdoor and indoor dining at restaurants and bars, retail businesses, religious facilities, fitness centers, casinos, personal services, and indoor recreational establishments. Bars and restaurants will be open for seated and distanced service only—patrons may not stand at a crowded bar. 

LARGE VENUES MAY OPERATE AT 50% CAPACITY. Effective Friday, March 12 at 5 p.m., large outdoor and indoor venues may begin operating at 50% capacity. This includes theaters; concert, convention, and wedding venues; racing facilities, and outdoor entertainment and sporting venues.

STATEWIDE MASKING ORDER REMAINS IN EFFECT. Maryland’s statewide masking order remains in full force and effect. This requires the wearing of masks or face coverings at any public indoor facility, including retail establishments, fitness centers, grocery stores, pharmacies, personal service establishments, in the public spaces of all public and private businesses across the state, and when using public transportation. Masks are still required in all outdoor public areas whenever it is not possible to maintain physical distancing. NOTE: These guidelines are statewide. Please check your county’s website, as each county may have varying guidelines in place.

Thank you to all of our tutor volunteers for your dedication to our mission during this pandemic! We are grateful for your service and commitment to your AL. Please submit your tutor hours here. 

We would also like to include your AL stories on our website as Testimonials! Talk to your students, and encourage them to write a line or two about their experience with CCLC. They can include any successes they can attribute to their tutoring sessions, along with glowing reports of their awesome tutor!  Assure them that they can include their first name and last initial, or vice versa, for privacy reasons.

Sponsor Highlight

Thank you to our Balloon Pop Platinum Sponsor – Huntington Learning Center.  Their Waldorf Huntington Learning Center has recently celebrated 17 years of helping students from Kindergarten to12th grade improve their ability to be successful in school, to be more confident, and to become motivated learners for years to come. Mike Cardamone, with the help of his wife and partner Lorraine, started HLC to give back to the community while helping children in something that could change their lives.  They definitely understand the importance and value of literacy and education.