Midcoast Literacy, a non-profit that provides free literacy tutoring to people of all ages, is holding two training sessions for new volunteer tutors this fall: one for tutoring children and one for tutoring adult English language learners. Midcoast Literacy serves individuals in Sagadahoc, Lincoln, and northern Cumberland counties, and is seeking volunteers throughout the region. We especially need new volunteers in the Boothbay area, after several local families signed up for tutoring at a back-to-school event last month.

“The beginning of the school year is a great time to begin volunteering for Midcoast Literacy,” said Katie Clark, Program Director. “We have waiting lists now for both children and adults ready to begin tutoring. If you or someone you know can give two hours a week, you can make a real difference in a neighbor’s life.”

Midcoast Literacy’s two 3-day tutor trainings will be held at their offices at 9 Park Street in Bath. The training for those who want to work with school-age children will be on Sept. 28, 30 and Oct. 2, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day. For more information or to sign up, contact Katie Clark at k.clark@midcoastliteracy.org. 

The training for people who want to work with adult immigrants learning to read, write, and speak English will be on Oct. 6, 7 and 8, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. An online, on-demand training course is also available for people interested in working with adult learners. For more information or to sign up, contact Diana Krauss at als@midcoastlit.org.

Pre-registration and participation in all three training days are required for both programs. Volunteer tutors must be at least 18 years old and make an initial commitment to tutor once or twice a week for 12 months (with occasional breaks for vacations and holidays). No prior teaching experience is required.

Following training, tutors learn right alongside their students and have ongoing support from Midcoast Literacy. “When I retired, it took me a while to figure out what to do with myself,” said volunteer tutor Steve Majercik. “Now I tutor twice a week, and our meetings are one of the highlights of my week. My learner is enthusiastic, inquisitive, and always ready to work. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to get to know this young person and to read and write with him.”

Midcoast Literacy is a non-profit organization based in Bath that has been providing free literacy programs to people of all ages in Midcoast Maine since 1970. You can find out more about all their programs at www.midcoastliteracy.org.