Literacy Volunteers celebrates ‘Hometown Heroes’

Literacy Volunteers of Franklin and Somerset Counties “Hometown Heroes,” honored from left, are Elizabeth Cook of Hallowell, Aishah Wolfstone of West Farmington and Claire Levesque of Hudson. Not pictured are Maggie Davis of Vienna and Greta Espeaignnette of Avon. Submitted photo

Modern Woodmen of America celebrated the literacy work of Literacy Volunteers of Franklin and Somerset Counties, and honored “Hometown Heroes” Elizabeth Cooke, Maggie Davis, Greta Espeaignnette, Claire Levesque, and Aishah Wolfstone, at a MWA members meeting Sept. 19 at Bean’s Corner Baptist Church in Jay.

The five Literacy Volunteers tutors were celebrated as a team for their stamina and commitment through all three years of the pandemic to provide accessible, inclusive, high quality education for groups of adults with literacy goals, according to a news release from Barbara Averill, LVFSC executive director.

Elizabeth Cooke, a retired educator who lives in Hallowell, regularly facilitates classes and contributed to curriculum development for book discussions and creative writing workshops.

Maggie Davis, a retired educator who lives in Vienna, just started her seventh school year as a tutor for a Franklin County Headstart parent book club. This year she tutored 49 parents who meet monthly via Zoom. Davis is in her second term as co-chair of LVFSC board of directors.

Greta Espeaignnette lives in Avon and partners with LVFSC as an adult education rural coordinator and facilitates weekly synchronous classrooms at the Phillips Public Library and as needed at the Webster Public Library in Kingfield.

Claire Levesque, a Bangor Literacy Volunteers tutor who lives in Hudson, Zooms in every week to the Community Connect class and this summer facilitated poetry classes.

Aishah Wolfstone of West Farmington is employed by Work First, Inc. in support of adult learners with developmental disabilities. Wolfstone removes barriers to education for over a dozen learners, ensuring their weekly participation, and contributes artistic talents and perspectives to the learning community.

For more information about Literacy Volunteers services or to volunteer, visit westernmaineliteracy.org, call 207-500-3131, or email literacyvolunteersfs@gmail.com.