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About the Marion Literacy Council

The Marion County Literacy Council is a non-profit organization focused on making sure all adult citizens in Marion County have access to the resources available to help them improve their lives by improving their literacy skills.

From Humble Beginnings

The organization was founded by philanthropist Barbara Woodson in 1999. Barbara, seeing a gap in programs not available for adults who needed basic help with math and reading, created the organization as a way to improve lives. The Council was founded to teach adults to read, help students pass the GED test, and to teach English to speakers of other languages.

Since its inception, reading and GED preparation have been the main focus of our program. MCLC is responding to our diverse population growth by expanding our ESOL (English Speakers of Other Languages) program as well as adding basic computer, citizenship, financial literacy and health literacy classes. The Literacy Council provides volunteers to tutor in the Marion County jail and to train inmates at Lowell Correctional Institute for women as well.

Meet our Staff

Yamila Acosta

Director of Programs & Services

Born in Cuba and raised in Miami, Florida, Yamila Acosta brings light to the Literacy Council. Acosta began her work at MCLC in 2014 as an ESOL assistant, eventually becoming a full-time employee due to her passion and commitment to each program. Yamila is naturally bilingual, accommodating perfectly to the ESOL program, but communicates through goals and personal connection with any student that walks through the door.

“I want the students to find it fun, I want them to know that anything is possible.”

Shelly Pena

Program Coordinator

Shelly Pena is a 26 year old young woman and the first born daughter of Cuban Immigrants. She has a deep love and admiration for kind people and loves to spend her free time enjoying the outdoors.

Our Executive Committee

President

Sally Waters

Marion County Public Schools
Vice President

Chris Cervellera

CERV Law
Treasurer

Ken Boggs

Elder Planning Income Concepts
Secretary

Sara Lambert

Marion County Parks & Rec
Immediate Past President

Billy Gilchrist

HGD Hotels

Our Board Members

Adam Woods

Gulf Atlantic Bank

Billy Gilchrist

HGD Hotels

Carlette Norwood-Williams

Advent Health Ocala

Chris Cervellera

CERV Law

Cody Clifton

Squeak Media

Howard Epstein

USA Scientific

Jeffrey Stone

Western Governors University

Kay Epstein

UF Levin College of Law

Keith Molinary

Ocala Health

Ken Boggs

Elder Planning Income Concepts

Kevin Harrison

Independent Contractor

Leena Williams

Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services

Megan Whittaker

The Keep

RJ Jenkins

Columbia University

Sally Waters

Marion County Public Schools

Sarah Lambert

Marion County Parks & Rec

Steve Vaughn

College of Central Florida
Our Programs
Literacy Council Partners and Sponsors
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