UNUM RETIREES  -- Volunteers    by Beverly J. Dahms

The Unum Retiree Board would like to update our list of non-profit organizations that our membership is supporting in the local communities.  
Please forward a brief list of the non-profits that you provide support to BDahms1@maine.rr.com .  Thanks for your continuing community support.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES at BIRTH ROOTS 
Birth Roots is a non-profit organization that provides essential programming to new families throughout pregnancy, birth and the first years of parenting.  Since 2004, Birth Roots has served over 2,000 families. 
Birth Roots -- providing how community-based non-clinical support through the first 1000 days of life can have a powerful impact on participating families and help builds a stronger and healthier community.

As a 501(c) (3) non-profit social services organization Birth Roots relies on the generous donations of individuals and businesses to provide community classes, groups, resources, products, support and information to Southern Maine families.

If you would like more information about Birth Roots, they are located at 101 State Street, Portland, Maine.  
The website is www.ourbirthroots.org . 

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Literacy Volunteers –Greater Portland        By Carol Hardy

On the hunt for a fulfilling volunteer opportunity?   

Anne Moffitt did just that when she retired from Unum as a Training Director.  Fortunately she chose to become a Literacy Volunteer with Literacy Volunteers of Greater Portland. Anne completed tutor training last year and was immediately matched with her student.  Anne’s student has struggled with dyslexia and the resulting difficulties with reading and writing his whole life. They have been meeting weekly on Wednesday evenings at the public library for almost a year.  
Anne admits that she was nervous at first, not sure what it would be like and if she could meet her student’s needs.  But that feeling didn’t last long. 
 “Wednesday nights are special,” Anne says, “I really look forward to our sessions.” She finds their work together satisfying and rewarding because her student has already made great strides.  One of her student’s goals was to read a newspaper so Anne obtained a subscription to a weekly newspaper specifically written for adults with low literacy skills and they read it as part of their lesson.  Her student reports although he still has difficulty with more challenging articles, he now 
has the confidence to pick up the newspaper in his work break room and take part in discussions about what is happening with his colleagues.

Literacy Volunteers – Greater Portland is looking for people to become tutors for adult learners in the community. We train all volunteers to ensure they have the knowledge and skills to be effective. We are seeking individuals interested in helping native Mainers as well as New Mainers gain English literacy skills who  
1) have the ability to tutor 2 hours a week,
2) can make a commitment of one year, and
3) possess an open, flexible and learning attitude.
Training is provided every other month. Call Emily Gilkinson at 775-0105 or email lvportland@learningworks.me to get started. There are dozens of adults currently waiting for tutors. 
Please take action to help them today.

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