Midcoast Literacy held its Annual Meeting & Celebration in Bath on May 17, celebrating 55 years of providing free literacy services in Lincoln, Sagadahoc, and northern Cumberland counties. The rainy weather moved the gathering inside but still brought together board members, staff, volunteers, learners, and their families to celebrate the organization’s progress.

“Our organization is continuing to grow and thrive thanks to the dedication of our volunteer tutors and the exceptional effort of our staff,” said Midcoast Literacy Executive Director Daniel Burson. “Midcoast Literacy’s tutoring programs have reached a plateau where we are serving over 40% more people than we did just a few years ago. Our challenge is to maintain this high level of community programming in the uncertain landscape for nonprofits we are now in.” 

In her remarks, Board Chair Janine Boyce thanked the staff and board of directors for their efforts putting together a new Strategic Plan for the organization in 2024 and also introduced new board member Nicole MacDonald of Boothbay.    

The annual celebration included awards recognizing exceptional tutors and learners for their accomplishments over the past year. The Outstanding Read Together Learner award (for students in Midcoast Literacy’s program for children ages 6-14) was given to 4th grader Dezarae Brassard of Bath. The Outstanding Adult Learner award was given to ELL learner Nathalie Daza of Brunswick. And the sixth annual Newton Blakesley and Cyndy Lewis Outstanding Tutor award (named in honor of the dedicated work of former Midcoast Literacy board members) was given collectively to Midcoast Literacy’s Workplace Literacy group instructors: Janet Adams, Anne Cauble, Anne Childs, Terry Flanagan, Dan Harris, Denise Hoyle, Bob Jordan, Nick Knobil, Ruth Longenecker, Nicole MacDonald, and Bonnie Wood.  

At the event, Midcoast Literacy also recognized Sable Oak Equestrian Center of Brunswick as their Community Partner of the Year. Each of the past three years, Sable Oak owners John and Sherrye Trafton have donated their facility, and a day of their time and their volunteers’ time to host Midcoast Literacy’s Readers Ride. The event gives young learners in Midcoast Literacy programs an opportunity to ride and learn about horses – many for the first time – while also raising money through local businesses sponsoring the riders.  

Midcoast Literacy is a non-profit organization based in Bath that has been providing free literacy programs to people of all ages in Lincoln, Sagadahoc, and northern Cumberland counties for 55 years. Through a range of Family Literacy and Adult Literacy programs, the dedicated staff and volunteers strive to help children and adults develop their literacy skills, so they can succeed through all stages of life. You can find out more about their programs or about how you can become a volunteer tutor at www.midcoastliteracy.org or by calling 207-443-6384.