Literacy Volunteers appoints new executive director

FARMINGTON – Literacy Volunteers of Franklin and Somerset Counties announces the appointment of Barbara Averill as its new Executive Director effective July 1.

Averill replaces former Executive Director Becky Jasch, who resigned in March to pursue other opportunities after leading the organization for 2 years.

The Literacy Volunteers of Franklin and Somerset Counties has been helping local adults learn to read since it was established in a partnership with Franklin County Adult Basic Education in 1975. Among other initiatives, the agency focuses on confidential, one-on-one tutoring for members of the community by fully-trained volunteers.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work very hard to provide strong, positive leadership, participate in thoughtful teamwork, and help strengthen the framework for sharing literacy in the community,” Averill said in a statement released Wednesday. “I come to this role bearing a tool box filled with compassion, creativity, integrity, resourcefulness, and collaboration.”

Averill was an educator that assisted in the development of the special education program at the Cornville Regional Charter School. In the statement released Wednesday, Averill said she was “proud of [her] accomplishments as both a successful business owner and educator of children with special needs.”

“Strengthening literacy improves communication and pays a dividend to our society, as a whole,” Averill said. “I understand the challenges this organization is facing.”

Around this time last year, Literacy Volunteers was considering shutting down due to a lack of funds. Within a few weeks, volunteers had filled a new board of directors intent on keeping the agency operating and more donations came in.

David Olson, chair of the Board of Literacy Volunteers, said that the agency intended to continue building on that progress by hiring Averill.

“We are fortunate to have been able to attract someone with Barbara’s experience and drive,” Olson said, “We are looking forward to having her take the helm. Literacy Volunteers of Franklin & Somerset Counties exists for the purpose of promoting and fostering literacy and numeracy to the residents of the western mountain region of Maine.”

For further information, go to westernmaineliteracy.org or call 207-500-3131