|
Your Trusted ADULT LITERACY IMPROVEMENT PARTNER —> Get Started (506) 836-7882 |
|
About Us
|
Miramichi Literacy Council offers free and confidential one-to-one adult tutoring in literacy, numeracy and life skills. We also partner with local partners to provide Cooking to Learn, the International Literacy Luncheon and other programs in order to bring literacy to more people in our community.
Miramichi Literacy Council (MLC) - since 1978
Miramichi Literacy Council offers free and confidential one-to-one adult tutoring in literacy, numeracy and life skills. We also partner with local partners to provide Cooking to Learn, the International Literacy Luncheon and other programs in order to bring literacy to more people in our community. |
|
How We Help
Free TutoringWe offer free, one-to-one, confidential tutoring for individuals (ages 18 years and over) who need to upgrade their literacy and numeracy skills. Our programs are designed to work with those who have no reading ability, those seeking a GED, and those requiring ESL support, using the Laubach method of learning.
Mommy Reads to MeThis program keeps incarcerated mothers at the WCC (Women's Correctional Center) of NB connected with their children by reading aloud and recording a series of children's books each week. The children then receive the recording, along with their very own copy of the book.
|
Cooking to LearnCooking to Learn helps motivate students to improve their basic reading, writing and math skills using step by step cooking activities. The program is designed to provide a hands-on approach to increase reading comprehension, vocabulary, problem solving, as well as math and science skills.
WCC Book ClubSince 2019 a group of women at the WCC meet with MLC facilitators to read and discuss a novel every few weeks. This program recognizes how literacy has the power to change lives by exploring strong female representation in literature over a broad range of genres.
|
Become a VolunteerWhether you want to become a tutor (training provided using the Laubach Method of one-to-one tutoring), help out with special events and fundraisers, join the board, or assist with administrative tasks (such as data entry, social media), we are sure we can offer you a worthwhile volunteer experience.
Conversational CircleThis program is geared towards ESL learners by using informal discussion to improve literacy skills. Region-specific idioms, aspects of local culture and topics of special interest are brought up in conversation and further explored.
|
Meet Our Team
Helping you to meet your Literacy Goals is our number one priority here at Miramichi Literacy Council.
PAT HEGAN President / tutor coordinator Pat is a retired Human Service Counselor of thirty years and has been volunteering with the Miramichi Literacy Council for fifteen years. Volunteering is a commitment that she thoroughly enjoys. She loves meeting new people and listening to their stories- at home and afar. Pat enjoys traveling, swimming, hiking, the outdoors, and loves spending time with her cats. |
MAUREEN CONNELL Vice President Maureen has been actively involved with the council for several years, both as a tutor, and a Food Mentor with Cooking to Learn. She has always enjoyed the interactions with clients and other learners from the literacy council. She is a retired nurse, mother and grandmother. Maureen believes “each one, teach one" is a great motto for all kinds of living. |
MARY KING board member Mary E. King is a retired high school English teacher who enjoys her involvement with the Miramichi Literacy Council - a natural fit with her interest in promoting literacy, building strong communities and encouraging social justice. Mary is also a member of the Miramichi Historical Society and the local Qi Gong / Tai Chi group. She believes in shopping locally, thinking globally and working until the job gets done. |
SONJA MAHABIR SECRETARY TREASURER Sonja has been involved with the Literacy Council in Miramichi for several years. In her words: "Much like in artistry, there is a beauty in language. We are able to express the world around us, the ideas and culture that forms us, and understand the foundation that we are built upon. Through tutoring I am able to give the paint as knowledge, and the brushes as words to those willing to become their very own (artists). I am able to see, as children holding brushes as extraneous objects, grow into artists of their own who can paint as effortlessly as breathing. That is what literacy is for me." 
CAROL ANN HILCHEY board member cooking to learn facilitator Carol Ann is a retired registered nurse and nursing instructor. Since then she has been involved with the literacy council in multiple capacities, and enjoys being involved with the Cooking to Learn program. Carol Ann is also an avid baseball fan, cheering for the Boston Red Sox each season. |
JUANITA HAMILTON financial officer Juanita Hamilton is a retired Human Service Counselor, whose training in skills teaching has led her to work in many places for over 35 years, helping people who live with intellectual and emotional challenges. She has been involved with LLNB, off and on, for many years, serving in multiple capacities, including clerical work, office administration, and as a volunteer tutor. Literacy has been a passion of hers since reading her first word. She feels it is such an honour to be involved in an organization that understands the need for literacy and the power of the written word. 
NADINE PESCH ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR Book club Facilitator Nadine has been involved with the council since 2019, and has served as the Community Engagement Coordinator since 2020. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from McGill University and briefly pursued a career in the veterinary medical field. Drawn back to literacy with a lifelong passion for the Arts, she has been working on her first novel while becoming more active as a volunteer in the community. |
BARB MACFARLANE BOOK CLUB FACILITATOR Barbara works at the Anglophone North School District as the Health and Safety Coordinator and has been involved with the Miramichi Literacy Council since 2018. Her passion for literacy was sparked over a decade ago after attending a Laubach Literacy session at a health and safety conference. Barbara shares her home with her football fanatic husband Martin, her painfully perfect teenage daughter Catherine, four beautifully indifferent cats (Bruce, Edward, Oliver, Molly), and their sweet, loyal, loving dog Jersey. Aside from reading she loves building things and doing house repairs and renovations. 
CHARLOTTE LOGGIE COOKING TO LEARN facilitator Charlotte is a retired teacher, wife, and mother to two inspiring young men. She enjoys reading, writing, and travel (when possible again!). She has been a member of the Miramichi Literacy Council for the past five years. She especially enjoys helping with the Cooking to Learn program. |
In The Community
Our community events capture local and province-wide attention. They allow us to build more programs and create more learning opportunities to empower the adults of our community with improved literacy skills. Through our community outreach fundraising events, we are provided more possibilities to inspire, advocate and create more awareness for Adult Literacy here in Miramichi, NB.
|
Spaghetti Dinner | March 5, 2021
MLC hosted its annual spaghetti supper fundraiser. Despite the ongoing pandemic and an unexpected delay, this year's event proved to be our best yet, serving a grand total of 126 meals! A heartfelt thank you to everyone who turned out in support of the council. All proceeds go directly towards program funding, ensuring that we can continue to offer our services to all Miramichiers, regardless of skill or circumstance. Sock Drive | December 14, 2020
MLC hosted a sock drive at its Water St office. Community members were encouraged to drop off new and unused socks to be donated to local charities for the holiday season. Expectations for the inaugural event were far exceeded, collecting a total of 456 pairs of socks! Thanks to the overwhelming generosity and kindness that abounds on the River, there will be plenty of warm toes in the new year! Story Walk | July & August, 2020
MLC partnered with Frontier College to facilitate their virtual summer camp. As part of this initiative, the MLC sponsored a temporary StoryWalk® at Middle Island Irish Historical Park, featuring local author Gail Francis' children's book “The Moonbeam”. Twenty stakes were spaced out along the grounds with one page of the book affixed to each stake. Parents, grandparents and children could make their way around the trail while reading together, enjoying fresh air and exercise. Pumpkin Fling | September 28, 2019
The Miramichi council's office was open to everyone participating in the annual Pumpkin Fling at Waterford Green. We served hot apple cider and shared our programs with all that came in. Mary King, an enthusiastic member, displayed harvest vegetables and fall recipes. LIFE 96.5 RADION | SEPTEMBER 13, 2019
Council members Mary King (left) and Pat Hegan (right) were interviewed by Rob McGowan from Life 96.5. Rob's interview let us explain our organization and all it has done for Miramichi in 41 years. We enjoyed our time with Rob as we told him about our present programs and how people may contact us. |
