FARMINGTON – Volunteers of Literacy Volunteers of Somerset and Franklin Counties gathered at the Henderson Memorial Baptist Church recently to commemorate their work, to hear about the new programs and that their director is resigning.
The annual potluck supper meeting started off with a story told by Phyllis A. Blackstone, an associate professor of education at UMF, about a young woman struggling and ultimately persevering in the pursuit of education.
It is this notion of education that, according to the program’s director Dorothy Carter, has been part of the Literacy Volunteers’ goals since first moving into Franklin County.
“The mission is to provide one-on-one, free, confidential tutoring help to adults with literacy needs,” Carter said. “However, we’ve also expanded the program to help adults work towards a GED, earn a CNA, and study for a learners’ permit.”
The Literacy Volunteers have been providing assistance to both adult and children students in Franklin and Somerset counties for over 20 years. In addition to standard individual tutoring sessions, the program has recently worked to create a new series of workshops targeting different areas of the community.
Such projects include the revitalization of Once Upon a Time, a story telling program with Mt. Blue Community TV and the continuation of the New Books for New Readers book club, developed personally by Carter herself.
The Annual Meeting Potluck Supper is held every year in recognition the accomplishments of both tutors and students alike. Carter stated that with over 200 literacy volunteers and ninety students, there was a lot to recognize in a single evening.
“We have various student awards, awards for the number of hours and years our tutors have worked, awards for our ‘New Books New Readers’ group, and awards for two people that were nominated for the United Way Tri-Valley Shining Star and Rising Star awards.”
In the future, Carter stated that she hopes to tackle more immediate literacy needs in the community. Recently, Literacy Volunteers created ‘Literacy Labs’ at Franklin Memorial Hospital specifically targeting patients with reading difficulties.
“We trained three volunteers at the hospital to help patients and clients with reading directions and prescriptions,” she said. “It just ensures that the people know what their directions say and what they have to do to get well once they’re back home.”
In addition to the hospital, Carter also expressed her hope to eventually setting up Literacy Labs in local soup kitchens as well, spreading the availability and awareness of the program’s efforts.
Within a few months, Carter will be stepping down as director of the Literacy Volunteers to become a coordinator in Somerset County, where she lives. After a year and a half in the position, she stated nothing but fondness for her time in office.
“Aside from the programs, I think the best part was that I had made so many wonderful and new friends. Whether it was with students or tutors or the people from different the agencies in the area, the whole experience has given me a real sense of true community spirit.”
The Literacy Volunteers Program can be located at 108 Fairbanks Rd. in Farmington. Further information can be asked at LiteracyVolunteers@mtbluersd.org, or by calling (207) 778-3460.
