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Last updated on September 9, 2008

Through the dedication and respect of trained volunteers, we empower greater Bangor area adults with improved reading and English language skills through no cost, learner-centered instruction that enhances life skills in the areas of family, health, work, and community.

Description:
Imagine the sense of frustration, embarrassment, shame, and isolation a person must feel when he or she is unable to complete a job application, read a newspaper, search the phone book, read to his or her child, or even understand the directions on a prescription medication bottle. This is a reality for a shocking number of people in our population. According to the National Adult Literacy Survey, 15% or 150,000 Mainers are functioning at the lowest levels of literacy (Level I). In Bangor alone, 37% of its population is operating at the two lowest reading and comprehension levels (Levels I and II). This places this population at a significant disadvantage since they do not have the full range of economic, social or personal options that are open to those with higher literacy levels.

Statistics show that adult literacy has strong links to parenting ability, criminal activity, poor health, and poverty. The likelihood of being on welfare goes up as literacy levels go down. Literacy Volunteers of Bangor aims to improve individuals' and their families lives through improved literacy potential.

History:
Since 1969, Literacy Volunteers of Bangor (LV-Bangor) has delivered free, quality literacy support to disenfranchised adults who want to improve their literacy and their lives. In 1969, LV-Bangor became the first Literacy Volunteers of America affiliate in Maine. Today, we help adults, through the efforts of trained volunteer tutors, improve their reading, writing, and conversational English abilities through our basic literacy, English language learner, and family literacy programming.

Contact people:

Mary (Marin) Lyon, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Ben Smith, President Of Board, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: 207/942-1391

Address:

200 Hogan Road Bangor, ME 04401 (See a map)

Web Site: http://lvbangor.org

Directions:

Traveling north on I-95, take the Hogan Road Exit and go right off the exit. Go straight through 3 sets of lights and United Technologies Center will be on your right on the corner of Hogan and Mt. Hope Avenue. We're located within this building.   Nearest Bus Stop: .25 miles, <5 minute walk

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