A single mother learns the value of Literacy Volunteers; she’s now in college.
LEWISTON – One out of five adults in Androscoggin County read at or below a third-grade level. This is a statistic that Literacy Volunteers-Androscoggin is working to change.
The organization is kicking off the second annual letter campaign with an open invitation for community members to send in a contribution of any amount to help reach the $10,000 goal.
“Some will receive letters, but anyone can help and any contribution is valuable,” said Executive Director Tahlia Hope. Due to last year’s generous response from the community, LV-Androscoggin was able to increase staff time and serve 50 more people. It costs approximately $300 a year to provide an adult with one-on-one tutoring, and every contribution will help the program maintain the gains from 2002 and build on that.
Does the program work and is it valuable? Ask single mother of four and full-time college student Sheri Hoiland.
When asked how she manages to raise four kids as a single mother, work a part-time job and take four college courses, Hoiland said, “I’m motivate and I’m stubborn.”
It is that mindset that has gotten Hoiland through many hardships in her life. She had a rough childhood dealing with a mother who could barely read and a father who was an alcoholic.
She dropped out of high school for two years, before returning to earn her diploma – and she managed to do so only by the skin of her teeth. After she finished high school, she knew she wanted to go on to college, but realized that in her prior years of schooling she had not learned enough of the basics.
Due to the fact that she had four kids, she was unable to take the night classes that would help her continue learning. However, she would not give up. She stated, “When I get my mind set on something, I find a way.”
As soon as she heard of Literacy Volunteers-Androscoggin, she called and began working with them immediately. Literacy Volunteers’ flexible hours and one-on-one tutoring were ideal for her situation.
After two years, Hoiland has two tutors – Kim Bosse for math and Nancy Daniels for reading and writing – and is enrolled in four college courses at the University of Maine at Augusta’s L/A campus.
Now, she has gotten to the point where she even tutors her own friends from time to time – but that is not all she does. She has met with U.S. Sen. Susan Collins to lobby in favor of Head Start, and she has spoken with former Rep. John Baldacci about welfare reform.
Eventually she hopes to use the education and skills she will continue to acquire in order to continue her lobbying endeavors.
Those who would like to help support Literacy Volunteers can send donation to Great Falls School, 277 Main St., Auburn, ME 04210. For information call 753-1772.
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