It's hard to believe, but 11% of Midcoast area adults don’t read or have serious reading issues! This shocking statistic shared by Danial Burson, Executive Director of Midcoast Literacy Program (MLP) catapulted all of us into sharp attention as we learned of this program’s passion to impact the shame and hidden reading issues in our area. MLP was founded in 1970, merging and incorporating into the current 501c3 non-profit now addressing everyone from kids to adults in one-on-one tutoring to class education. Adult literacy classes can facilitate important skills such as the ability to get a driver’s license or fill out a resume.  

Nicole MacDonald, one of our speakers, serves on the Board of MLP and volunteers. She meets weekly with a group of workers from Bowdoin College who need to learn to read to complete their jobs, including such things as being able to log into timecards, or to understand cultural practices seen in America for folks from other countries. Nicole shared the joy and fulfillment she gets as her students begin to gain skills, confidence, and social connections.   

Christopher, another speaker, shared his one-on-one tutoring using personalized techniques and games to engage students to want to learn and progress. He, like Nicole, gives their energy and time to a cause felt deeply in their hearts.   

The types of programs Midcoast Literacy offer include the following: read together, read with me, summer books, adult basic literacy, English language instruction, and workplace literacy. These programs are all free to the students. And last year they logged 11,000 volunteer hours!  

How can we help? 1. Spread the word; 2. Donate; 3. Business sponsors; 4. Volunteer as a tutor; and 5. Attend their Author-to-Author fundraisers of which the next one is May 3 with Tess Gerritsen and Kathryn Miles. Also, there is an English Tutor Training beginning June 10 in Bath. Contact Diana Krauss at als@midcoastlit.org or call 207-443-0384. 

Meeting

• President Mike announced the sad passing of our Rotary friend, I.J. Pinkham this past week. He will be deeply missed.  

• Next week we look forward to Marty Helman, and Denise and Chip Griffin sharing their recent trip to Turkey for the Grand Opening of the newest Rotary Peace Center. What's a Rotary Peace Center? There are eight Rotary Peace Centers in the world teaching conflict resolution and international and national cooperation.  An amazing project of the International Rotary Foundation.  Join us Thursday at 6 p.m. at our Clubhouse, 66 Montgomery Road, Boothbay Harbor to hear about this amazing Rotary Project. 

• The barn, (once again!) pulled in $1,200 last Saturday. Shazam! 

• We sang a rousing Happy Birthday to Mike Thompson
  

• The Board met this Monday and our club donated to the AFAP Foundation to allow a young woman in Uganda to attend college.  Our club also donated to the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library, Rotary Scholarships, two for traditional college and two for vocational training, camperships at Camp Knickerbocker, Big Brothers, Big Sistersand Marine Mammals of Maine! All possible because of our generous neighbors who donate and buy at the Big, Gray Rotary Barn.   

The Big, Gray Rotary Barn is now open every Saturday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.  We are accepting donations, just call or text Greg at 207-619-1417 for drop off or pick up plans.