“We’re here tonight to celebrate how our programs changes our students’ lives,” LVGS Executive Director Ingrid Baily announced to more than 85 guests at the start of the evening.

LVGS President Geoff Titherington, his fellow board members and literacy volunteers presented several awards throughout the event that highlighted student achievement and the efforts of others to promote reading and other skills throughout the community.

LVGS Vice President John Rivard presented the organization’s Special Service Award to board member Jeanne Mahoney, whose commitment he praised as “unwavering.” Read the Full Article Here

SIS Donates iPad to Literacy Group May 9, 2013 - Sanford Institution for Savings (SIS) recently donated an iPad to Literacy Volunteers of Greater Sanford (LVGS).“This generous gift will support our mission of meeting the literacy needs of children and adults,” LVGS Executive Director Ingrid Baily said. “When our clients can improve their reading and writing skills while also becoming more comfortable with tablet technology, it’s a win-win. SIS is really helping us make a difference.”LVGS, a 501c(3) nonprofit, uses one-on-one tutoring and small-group instruction to help adults reading below the ninth-grade level improve literacy and therefore quality of life, career opportunities, and more.“The Literacy Volunteers of Greater Sanford is a wonderful organization, and we hope that this donation helps improve lives now and in the future,” SIS President and CEO Mark Mickeriz said.

LVGS Executive Director Ingrid Baily, right, accepts an iPad donation from SIS Bank President and CEO Mark Mickeriz at SIS headquarters in Sanford.

Through the mobilization of resources, expertise and funds that support programs focused on education, income and health -- the building blocks of a good life -- United Way of York County advances the common good and strengthens the whole community.

The mission of LVGS is supporting the literacy needs of adults with free, confidential one-on-one tutoring by trained adult volunteers. Founded in 1986, LVGS helps adults improve their literacy levels and change their lives. Whether the goal is to fill out a job application, learn to use a computer, read a label on a prescription bottle or obtain a GED, LVGS offers opportunities for adult learners to improve their literacy skills and achieve their goals relating to family, career, and participation in civic affairs.

Thanks to the continued support of many dedicated individuals, businesses and organizations throughout York County, this year the United Way is investing in 67 community programs serving children, youth, adults and families.

"Despite continuing economic uncertainty in 2012, local people gave generously to our United Way campaign," said United Way of York County President and CEO Kathryn Davis. "As a result, in 2013 we are able to provide continued and much needed support for essential human services across the region."

If you would like to learn more about Literacy Volunteers, please call the office at 324-2486 or email us at lvgsanford@gmail.com.

Established in 1986, United Way of York County works to advance the common good of everyone in York County by focusing on the unique characteristics of our community and by strengthening programs focused on Education, Income and Health. By galvanizing individuals and organizations to act while mobilizing resources, expertise and funding, United Way of York County creates opportunities for residents through lifelong learning, financial stability and healthy foundations for life.

To learn more about United Way of York County and be a part of the change you want to see in your community, we invite you to visit www.buildcommunity.org or call 985-3359 to learn how you can Give, Advocate or Volunteer.


Kennebunk Savings Customer Ballot
March 27 , 2013 - Are you a customer of Kennebunk Savings? Their annual Customer Ballot is underway! Last year, customer votes for LVGS in this generous program brought us a donation of $190.00 for our programs. We would appreciate your vote!

Kennebunk Savings has mailed ballots to their customers. You can vote online by going to www.kennebunksavings.com/ballot or drop off your ballot at bank offices or mail them in using an envelope and stamp.

Thank you!


Annual Student Recognition Dinner
March 26 , 2013 - Literacy Volunteers of Greater Sanford (LVGS) is pleased to announce that its Fourteenth Annual Student Recognition Dinner will be held on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 5 pm at the Town Club in Sanford, with catering by Above and Beyond. The event is open to the public and we welcome newcomers.

The event includes recognition of students and tutors including several awards and speeches, a delicious dinner and the chance to be inspired by the courage and achievements of adult literacy students.

LVGS supports the literacy needs of adults with free, confidential one-on-one tutoring by trained adult volunteers. Founded in 1986, LVGS helps adults improve their literacy levels and change their lives. We are grateful to have strong community support and to be a United Way of York County partner.

Tickets to the dinner are $15 per person. For reservations, please call the office at 324-2486 by Wednesday, May 8. View the flyer here.


New Tutoring Program
March 13 , 2013 - Literacy Volunteers of Greater Sanford (LVGS) and Southern Maine Reentry Center (SMRC) are pleased to announce a new tutoring program. Through this partnership, LVGS volunteers are offering one-on-one tutoring to interested women residents at SMRC.

SMRC is a low-security women's facility of the Maine Department of Corrections that is located on the grounds of the York County Jail in Alfred. The residents are currently incarcerated and will be released within one to two years. Many women are working in the community now and are very hopeful to pursue their education and learning. Tutoring by LVGS volunteers is offered in reading, writing, math, and computing, and is tailored to each student's goals, such as preparing to take the GED test, improving literacy skills for the workplace, helping children with homework, and other tasks of daily living.

Studies show that literacy tutoring can play a critical role in helping an incarcerated person prepare for community life successfully and in reducing the chances that s/he will return to prison. Literacy tutoring helps adults to improve their skills and become more self-sufficient, increasing their ability to contribute to society, gain employment and pay taxes.

LVGS supports the literacy needs of adults with free, confidential one-on-one tutoring and other programs by trained adult volunteers. Founded in 1986, LVGS helps adults improve their literacy levels and change their lives. We are grateful to have strong community support and to be a United Way of York County partner. For more information, please call the office at 324-2486.


Trivia Night Thanks
February 11, 2013 - On behalf of Literacy Volunteers of Greater Sanford, thank you very much to everyone who took part in and supported our Fourth Annual Trivia Night at the Town Club fundraiser on Friday, January 18! It was a terrific evening, with a lively competition on trivia questions. Special thanks to Marcel Blouin for emceeing the event including the live auction, Gina and her team at Above and Beyond Catering for great appetizers and hospitality, Helen at Get Fired Up for our trophy, and all of the raffle and auction donors and supporters. This year we had the largest turnout yet, with 110 people playing on 16 teams. We are also very grateful to our three sponsors: Sanford-Springvale Rotary Club, SIS Bank, and Kennebunk Savings. With all of this support, Trivia Night net $3,100 to support our programs, 50% more than last year's event.

Congratulations to the winning team, which was led by Celina and Art Dumas and included Liz and Lyle Duell, Claudette and Howard Dupee, and Deb and Alden Thayer. If you would like to challenge them next year, pencil in this date for Trivia Night in 2014: Friday, January 17th!

Literacy Volunteers offers free, confidential tutoring to adults so they can improve their literacy skills and change their lives. We are so grateful for strong community support of our mission.

Ingrid Baily, Executive Director
Literacy Volunteers of Greater Sanford


The Beauty of LVGS
(Sanford News - January 10, 2013) - I am a new recruit to Literacy Volunteers. I attended the two day training program last summer and was immediately teamed up with a young man seeking help in obtaining his GED.

Before the training sessions I imagined I'd be helping people learn to read. Since I am passionate about reading, teaching others just seemed like "the right thing to do." After two days of training I realized reading is only a part, sometimes a small part, of the Literacy Volunteers program. And my new student soon convinced me that "literacy" covers many areas of learning.

My student -- whom I now call my friend -- is a bright twenty year old who made some mistakes in high school and quit, missing a couple of years of education. As he says, "I finally got my head screwed on straight and figured I'd never get anywhere if I don't get my GED." His biggest stumbling block is not reading -- it's math. As we work our way through fractions, decimals, averages and those tricky word problems, I am impressed with his commitment and his desire to follow through and reach his goal.

He is a mechanic with about five years experience and he smiles when I tell him that if he was trying to teach me what he knows about fixing cars I would be a much poorer student than he. I know he is appreciative of the opportunity Literacy Volunteers makes possible and of the time we spend each week. He may think that I bring more to our weekly sessions, but he would be wrong -- and that, perhaps, is the beauty of Literacy Volunteers, which brings together committed students and committed volunteers who each come away from the experience with renewed energy, skills and compassion. I wish I had volunteered years ago.

David Joy


Literacy Volunteers of Greater Sanford Announces Sponsors for Trivia Night at the Town Club

(Sanford, ME - January 7, 2013) - Literacy Volunteers of Greater Sanford (LVGS) is pleased to announce sponsorship support for their upcoming fundraiser, Trivia Night at the Town Club on Friday, January 18. Rotary Club of Sanford-Springvale is a major sponsor and Sanford Institution for Savings and Kennebunk Savings are sponsors. Trivia Night takes place at the Town Club in the Sanford Trust Building and includes team competition on trivia questions in categories including geography, science, current events, literature, food, and television. Again this year, we will have raffle items and a live auction including tickets to a Boston Bruins game now that the NHL season is on. Tickets are $20 per person including appetizers. Teams need 4 to 8 people. If you don't have 4 people, please call us and we will match you with others for a team. The doors open at 6 p.m. and the Trivia Game is 7 - 9 p.m.

December 5 , 2012 - United Way of York County, in partnership with Kennebunk Savings, announced on Friday that Geoff Titherington, owner of Bonanza Restaurant in Sanford, has recently been awarded the 2012 York County Spirit of Service Award for commitment to service and impact in our community. Titherington serves as the board president of Literacy Volunteers of Greater Sanford and donates his time to a number of other local organizations. Read More

LVGS Receives Donation from Kennebunk Savings
November 13, 2012 - Literacy Volunteers of Greater Sanford (LVGS) is pleased to announce that it has received a $500 contribution from Kennebunk Savings to support its Literacy Project with the York County Shelter Programs in Alfred. LVGS is very grateful for Kennebunk Savings' continued support of its programs.


Books and Blockbusters
October 18, 2012 - The "Books and Blockbusters" Club will present the family movie "Holes" on Tuesday, October 30 at 6 p.m. at the Nasson Little Theatre in Springvale. The movie is free and open to the public. For more information, please call the Literacy Volunteers office at 324-2486.


Literacy Volunteers of Greater Sanford Announces "Technology Tuesdays"
October 11, 2012 - Are you a techie? Would you like to be? Literacy Volunteers of Greater Sanford is pleased to announce a new service called Technology Tuesdays.

On Tuesday, October 23rd and Tuesday, November 13th between 10 am and 2 pm, anyone wishing to learn more about technology can drop in to the Literacy Volunteers office for an introduction to such items as the Kindle, iphone, laptop, cell phone, or personal computer. If you have a new technology item such as a laptop or cell phone that you want help with, bring it with you. This is an opportunity to learn more about "tech gadgets" and meet others with similar interests.

To request more information, please call the office at 324-2486.


Fall 2012 Tutor Trainings
October 5, 2012 - Literacy Volunteers of Greater Sanford (LVGS) is pleased to announce two tutor trainings for new volunteer tutors in Adult Basic Education. Training sessions are free of charge.

Two different trainings are scheduled. The first will be on Friday, October 26 and Friday, November 2, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the LVGS Office at 883 Main Street (the Townhouse Mall), Suite 4, in Sanford. For more information or to sign up, please call the LVGS office at 324-2486.

The second training will be held partly online and partly face-to-face. The face-to-face session will be held on Saturday, October 13 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at Marshwood Adult and Community Education, 260 Route 236, in South Berwick. Online work needs to be completed before the October 13 meeting. For more information or to sign up for this training, call Marshwood Adult Education at 384-5703.

The new club, which will meet to watch movies and read the corresponding books, is open to the public. The club will gather at the Nasson Little Theatre.

"Books and Blockbusters" will be a recurring program that will involve other films and books later this winter and next spring.

We are very grateful to Sanford Springvale Rotary for supporting this creative, fun new program, which is offered free of charge.

LVGS supports the literacy needs of adults with free, confidential one-on-one tutoring, small group instruction and other programs by trained adult volunteers. Founded in 1986, LVGS helps adults improve their literacy levels and change their lives. We are grateful to have strong community support and to be a United Way of York County partner.

Registration is required for "Books and Blockbusters" and other Literacy Volunteers programs. To request more information or to register, please call the office at 324-2486. Please stay tuned for upcoming scheduled dates and times.

LVGS is a top vote-getting nonprofit in the Kennebunk Savings Customer Ballot June 27, 2012 - LVGS is happy to announce that we are a top vote-getting nonprofit in the Kennebunk Savings Customer Ballot program. We appreciate the Community Promise pledge by Kennebunk Savings to support community needs, being selected as a deserving organization by customers, and the donation of $190. Thank you very much for supporting our programs!

Kennebunk Savings President & CEO Bradford Paige presenting a check to LVGS Executive Director Ingrid Baily and Learning Center Coordinator Jen Bargioni, July 2012.

Literacy Volunteers of Greater Sanford Recognizes
Students and Tutors at Annual Dinner
June 12, 2012 - At Literacy Volunteers of Greater Sanford's Annual Student Recognition Dinner on May 23, eighty-five people gathered at the Town Club in downtown Sanford for a celebration of learning and the personal journeys that bring students and tutors to our programs.

The Student Achievement Award was given to Bernice Chadwick. Two pairs of adults working together received Student-Tutor Pair of the Year Award: Star Norton and Alicia Shortill, and Anita Fortin and Helen Bower. Chadwick and Fortin spoke about their experiences as students and expressed gratitude to their tutors, family members and other important people in their lives who have supported their goals of improving their literacy skills. Chadwick advised anyone considering seeking assistance here not to be afraid to walk in the door and to "do it for yourself, not for someone else."

Other awards and recognition at the event included: tutor and volunteer Marcel Gagnon spoke about his work on a shared literacy project with the York County Shelter Programs in Alfred, for which he received the Community Outreach Award; Altrusa International's Sanford-Springvale Club received the Literary Supporter Award; Ellen Pouravelis received the Special Service Award, and a new award was created to honor tutor and volunteer Linda B. Gulnac.

We are grateful for the work of all of the tutors and other volunteers and for the wonderful welcome and catering provided by Above and Beyond at the Town Club. Read more here.


U.S. Citizenship Success
May, 2012 - Literacy Volunteers of Greater Sanford is proud to announce that recently two of our students have passed the U.S. Citizenship exam! Both worked diligently for several years with their tutors to learn material, including the history, government and legal system of this country. Congratulations to them both and thank you to their tutors!


Scrabble Tournament Thanks
May, 2012 - On behalf of Literacy Volunteers of Greater Sanford, thank you very much to the participants in our Scrabble tournament on May 6 at the Trafton Senior Center. Ten teams of two people competed with good spirit and raised $275 for our mission. The winning team was the Brainiacs from Lewiston with more than 200 points per game! We are grateful to the players, pledge donors and Thea Murphy, Director of the Trafton Center, for helping us revive this event. Stay tuned for next year's Scrabble tournament!