Here’s our next opportunity to learn more about how we can better serve our adult learners.  The seminar held on Tuesday, February 5^th from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at the LV-Bangor office is titled, “Memory Strategies:  Making New Learning Last.”  Diane Jackson, EdD from the College of Education and Human Development @ the University of Maine will be presenting this seminar.  Since this topic is a request from some tutors, we certainly hope it is resonates with many and you’ll join us.  Please RSVP and we look forward to seeing you on the 2/5/08.   

Mary Marin Lyon

Executive Director

With this cold snap, it’s easy to feel cooped up at this time of year.  If you need “a cabin fever reliever,” then consider attending these neat cultural experiences that were forwarded to me by our friends at the International Programs Department at the University of Maine.

Stay warm!

Mary Marin Lyon

Executive Director

February 9, 2008 – 2 pm

Russian Tea

with

Russian Love Songs

Performed by 2 WOW members, Anna Baglay and Tamara Thomas East Orrington Congregational Church Johnson Mill Road, Orrington $10/person, RSVP required by Feb. 4

825-3404

February 23, 2008

International Dance Festival

Peaks Auditorium, Bangor High School

Shows at 2 pm and 7 pm

FREE ADMISSION!

For more information please call 581-3423

As those who have read an earlier post on this blog, Literacy Volunteers of Bangor was recently awarded the 2007 2 Those Who Care Agency of Distinction Award from WLBZ-2 and United Way of Eastern Maine. As part of the award ceremony, WLBZ-2 produced a great looking piece highlighting our efforts. Please click the link below to view the video.

http://www.wlbz2.com/video/news/player.aspx?aid=26605&sid=72164&bw=hi&cat=123

OVAE just sent out a notice about the following resource. The website is: www.elcivicsonline.org.

English Literacy/Civics education (EL/C) teachers have a new online opportunity that helps them use U.S. history to teach English language literacy to adults.  The course was created with funding from OVAE and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Office of Citizenship.  The course features tutorials on lesson planning and adapting materials.  Online courses in U.S. government, naturalization, and rights and responsibilities of citizens are expected this spring.

Please give this resource a look – we hope that it helps!

Look below for a great gala event that is celebrating the work of Literacy Volunteers across the State of Maine.  Headlining the event are Former First Lady Barbara Bush and Former State of Maine Governor Angus King! Please, if you have the opportunity to attend, consider stopping in as it will be a great celebration.  We at LV-Bangor hope to see you there! 

TURNING A NEW PAGE
Celebrating Adult Literacy in Maine

An evening of entertainment to benefit Literacy Volunteers of Maine. Featuring best-selling Maine writers, national literacy advocates, inspiring readings, book signings and a fast-paced auction.

Thursday, September 20, 2007
Abromson Community Education Center on the
USM Portland Campus
Reception with the authors 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Readings and Auction 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Our impressive program includes:

• Barbara Bush, keynote speaker and former First Lady
• Angus King, Master of Ceremonies and former Maine Governor
• Monica Wood, author of ANY BITTER THING
• Colin Woodard, author of THE LOBSTER COAST: REBELS, RUSTICATORS, AND THE STRUGGLE FOR A FORGOTTEN FRONTIER
• Learner success stories
• Exciting auction!

Tickets for the Reception, Readings and Auction $50
Tickets for the Readings and Auction $25

Tickets may be purchased at:

• Longfellow Books, Portland
• USM Conference Registration Line: 207-780-5951 between 8:00 am–4:30 pm
• Additional locations to be announced
• » PURCHASE TICKETS NOW

Recently, Literacy Volunteers of Bangor & Penquis CAP was awarded a $25,000 grant from the Barbara Bush Foundation around work with Family Literacy.  As part of the grant, LV of Bangor will expand services to include English Language Learners focusing on culturally sensitive activities and the importance of native language literacy.  Below, please find the press release (abridged) detailing the grant and also a picture of Ben Smith, Board President of LV-Bangor, accepting the grant from former First Lady Barbara Bush and State of Maine First Lady Karen Baldacci. 

BARBARA BUSH AWARDS $234,995 FOR MAINE FAMILY LITERACY INITIATIVE

Embargoed until June 19, 2007

 Contact:  David Connerty-Marin, 624-6880, Becky Dyer – 624-6755 

Augusta –Mrs. Barbara Bush announced on June 19th that the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy awarded $234,995 to Maine Family Literacy Initiative programs in fifteen Maine communities.  Representatives from each program accepted their grant awards from Mrs. Bush and Maine’s First Lady, Karen Baldacci, at an awards ceremony at the J. Richard Martin Community Center in Biddeford. Maine Family Literacy Initiative money supports programs that improve the reading skills of parents and their children, while developing solid literacy practices in the home.  

“I’m so proud of the students and teachers who have participated in our Maine Family Literacy Initiative.” said Mrs. Bush, Honorary Chairperson of the Foundation. “They have accomplished so much over the past twelve years. We know that thousands of parents and children are now able to share the pleasure as well as the benefits of reading as a result of their hard work in the 166 family literacy programs funded by the Maine Family Literacy Initiative so far.”  ”Reading holds the key to success in life,” said Maine’s First Lady Karen Baldacci.  “Barbara Bush has devoted many years of work to promote and increase family literacy.  I would like to thank and honor her on behalf of the people of the State of Maine for her dedication to such a worthy cause.”

Eight winning grants of approximately $25,000 were chosen this year from applications submitted by libraries, community-based organizations, colleges, adult education, and public schools across the state to implement family literacy programs. These programs provide family literacy services that include adult literacy instruction, early childhood literacy instruction, and parent and child time for reading together. The Maine Family Literacy Initiative has awarded 166 grants totaling of $2,787,855 in its twelve-year history to develop or expand Maine family literacy programs.

The Barbara Bush Foundation also funds family literacy initiatives in Texas, Florida, and Maryland, as well as through its annual national grant competition. As of June 2007, the Foundation, which was established in 1989, will have awarded nearly $30 million to build or expand more than 650 family literacy programs in 48 states and the District of Columbia.

FY 2008 Maine Family Literacy Initiative Grantees

LITERACY VOLUNTEERS OF BANGOR, BANGOR – Voices in Diversity: Parents and Children Celebrating Literacy is a partnership between Literacy Volunteers of Bangor and the Penquis Community Action Program. They will expand their services to include English Language Learners focusing on culturally sensitive activities and the importance of native language literacy.

Above: First Lady of the State of Maine Karen Baldacci, LV Bangor Board President Ben Smith, & Former First Lady Barbara Bush

Below, please find a story that supports our mission and reaffirms the reason why this work is important and changes people’s lives. During the course of this blog, Literacy Volunteers of Bangor will share these stories as they come available.  Please join us in celebrating their successes.

On April 22, 2004, Sally (not her real name) suffered from a stroke while working in a busy medical practice at the medical center. This single event changed Sally’s life. Prior to this date, Sally held a tremendous amount of administrative responsibilities working within this busy practice. Her job often kept her working a 60-70+ hour a week. While there, she worked with the resident interns, developed policies, answered hundreds of incoming calls each day, and worked directly with patients. She helped make that office run. Personally, she was married and had two teen daughters. Her stroke, though, changed her world; Sally was 39.

After several weeks of hospitalization, Sally learned that the stroke had left her with difficulty walking and unable to perform activities of daily living (e.g., fixing her hair, bathing, driving, etc.) In addition, she wasn’t able to recognize numbers, compute, OR read.

Sally came to LV-Bangor in the fall of 2005. At that time, she was reading at about the 4^th grade reading level. Today, after working with dedicated tutors, Sally is reading at 12+ grade level. She has a LV-Bangor tutor who helps her with math and she is steadily improving her skills, learning multiplication tables and practicing writing out numbers (so that she can maintain her own check book).

Since June 2006, Sally has also volunteered within the LV-Bangor office. For more than a year, Sally has written policies to prepare LV-Bangor for accreditation in 2007. Many of us are extremely appreciative of her work since it takes a special skill set to do this type of detail-oriented research and work. In fact, policy development has unlocked a part of her brain that has flooded her memory with skills that she had previously. In addition to these efforts, Sally has coordinated a book club program for emerging readers and serves on the LV-Bangor board representing our student population.

Sally is completely committed to the importance of literacy in our communities. Everywhere she goes, she talks about LV-Bangor. And what we weren’t surprised to calculate is that she donates roughly 40 hours of volunteer time a week! Sally is just one story in hundreds. However, her story is one that epitomizes dedication and perseverance!

Hi all:

Ø Does your adult learner have difficulty reading?

Ø Want to broaden his/her vocabulary?

Ø Want to improve his/her reading comprehension?

Ø Or are you a tutor that is looking for resources that will help your adult learner to read?

If so, make it a point to attend one or all of our Fall Series – Adult Reading Instructional Strategies. Evelyn Beaulieu, Director at the Center for Adult Learning and Literacy @ the University of Maine, is returning to Literacy Volunteers of Bangor by popular demand for more in-depth training on these issues. This skill-building series of four sessions are most effective for those who attend each session. That said, please attend as many as you can, even if it means you miss a session. You’re guaranteed to leave with valuable insights and tips for your tutor sessions. The sessions are on Mondays, Sept. 10, October 15, November 19, and December 10 from noon to 1:30 p.m. (See the attached for more info.) Feel free to bring a bag lunch. Meanwhile, throughout the fall, I’ll be reminding you of each session as they approach so that you can be sure to attend.

If you’d like to attend Evelyn’s invigorating September 10^th session (Overview to Successful Adult Reading Instruction), please RSVP to let us know you’ll be coming. See you soon!

Mary Marin Lyon

Executive Director

Literacy Volunteers of Bangor

200 Hogan Road, Bangor, ME 04401

207/947-8451

www.lvbangor.org

Volunteers Invited to Tutor Others with Low Literacy

Bangor. Does it surprise you to know that 37% of our neighbors are functioning at the lowest levels of literacy?

Low literacy is an invisible social and economic issue that is affecting our community. Adults with low literacy (poor reading or English skills) tell us that they feel ashamed, frustrated, and embarrassed. Poor literacy prevents them from helping their children develop important skills, limits their job and earning prospects, and even prevents them from participating in community activities that may expose their limitations.

Be part of the solution.
Tutoring an adult in reading or the English language only takes a few hours and week, though the positive effects last a lifetime. Literacy Volunteers of Bangor is announcing their fall schedule for 2007.

All courses are held at United Technologies Center at 200 Hogan Road. While there is no cost for the class, we do ask for $25 to defray the costs of the book and materials. (Scholarships are available.) Register TODAY and be the person that makes a difference for someone with literacy barriers. Call us at 947-8451 with any questions or your registration.

2 Those Who Care honorees named

By BDN Staff
Thursday, August 16, 2007 – Bangor Daily News

BANGOR, Maine – A group of outstanding volunteers will be honored during the annual gala for the 2 Those Who Care Awards on Wednesday, Oct. 3, at the G. Peirce Webber Campus Center at Husson College.

The event will be televised as a primetime special on WLBZ-TV 2 later in October. The 2 Those Who Care program was developed by WLBZ in partnership with the United Way of Eastern Maine. The program is sponsored by Merrill Bank and Webber Energy Fuels.

The 2 Those Who Care gala will honor men and women from eastern Maine who unselfishly make a difference in the lives of others.

In addition, G. Clifton Eames of Bangor will be presented with the John W. Coombs Award, a volunteer recognition award of the United Way of Eastern Maine since 1984. Literacy Volunteers of Bangor will be honored with the Agency of Distinction Award.

The 2 Those Who Care honorees are:

• Galen Cole of Bangor, a dedicated volunteer and service provider for the Bangor community and veterans. He owned and operated Cole’s Express for 50 years, helping it become one of the most prominent trucking services in the nation. Cole served on the Bangor City Council and was president of the Bangor Chamber of Commerce. For 24 years he served as a chairman and member of the University of Maine Development Council. As campaign leader for the Second Century Fund, he oversaw the building of the Maine Center for the Arts and hockey rink. Cole is a Mason and a past potentate of Anah Temple Shrine.

• Ralph and Joyce Harvey of Searsport, who provide their solace and companionship throughout Waldo County. People who are ill or hospitalized depend on the Harveys for food, transportation to medical appointments and friendly visits. They volunteer their time at the Food Cupboard at the Searsport Methodist Church, transporting food to stock the cupboards and making personal food deliveries to those in need. During the holiday season, the Harveys deliver food baskets to the disabled. They also are active members of their church and help with suppers by picking up supplies and serving the people. In addition, they tend plants and flowers along Searsport’s Main Street.

• Linda Howard of Dover-Foxcroft, a key member of the steering committee for Womencare, a domestic violence association serving students and their families. She has been a huge contributor in Womencare’s Capital Campaign to create a building where people in crisis can be served in a safe and confidential environment. Howard has been an educator for 30 years in kindergarten and home economics. The Center Theatre also has benefited from her “get it done” attitude. Under her leadership, the once-vacant theater underwent a complete renovation, helping to bring back the performing arts and film to Dover-Foxcroft. Howard has been president of women’s fellowship at the Congregational Church, Mayo Regional Hospital volunteer for seven years and member of the Penquis Leadership Institute Steering Committee.

• Walter Moore of Bangor, a full-time nurse in the catheritization lab at Eastern Maine Medical Center. Moore works endlessly to fulfill the “wish list” for pediatric oncology patients and their families. He coordinates and motivates colleagues to get all of the items on the wish list each year, often providing multiple gifts himself. The helper of all helpers, Moore gives without expecting anything in return. In addition, he volunteers through Hospice of Eastern Maine, helping many patients to remain at home during their final days. He works at area soup kitchens and church fundraisers, as well.

• Warren Steward of Millinocket, whose dedication to the youth community stems from raising four children of his own. For the past 15 years, Steward has committed many hours to developing the Volunteer Programs for Millinocket Schools. While coordinating volunteers for youth activities, he always serves at these events himself. Steward’s efforts include the thriving music and drama programs, sporting events, school dances, D.A.R.E. program, Scholastic Book Fairs, church programs and more.

G. Clifton Eames of Bangor will receive the John W. Coombs Award.

Eames is known for exceptional governing board and committee participation and leadership for Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems since 1971.

Officials cited his integrity, ability, modesty, hard work and deep understanding of the community in working to strengthen many of eastern Maine’s most important agencies and organizations. He was one of the founding trustees of Acadia Hospital, which serves those struggling with mental illness.

The Agency of Distinction is Literacy Volunteers of Bangor, a group of people dedicated to improving literacy in the Bangor community and beyond.

Volunteers work hard at improving the lives of individual learners, both in the classroom and at home. An estimated 37 percent of adults in the Bangor area operate at the two lowest levels of literacy, which can become a serious challenge in their personal, work and community life.

Thanks to more than 200 volunteers who are well-trained and eager to help, 45 adult learners are improving their reading, while 70 adults, previously from other countries, are mastering the English language. LV-Bangor serves roughly a 25-mile radius of Bangor; however, matches are coordinated outside of this area as tutors are recruited and trained. Recently, LV-Bangor launched the Volunteers Optimizing Increased Civic Engagement program. It will apply the tools of adult literacy education to the goal of enabling its learners to participate as active, informed citizens in the electoral process.