ANSWER: Here are a few options in or around the Lewiston-Auburn area:

French re-acquisition classes for adults are offered throughout the year at The Dolard & Priscilla Gendron Franco Center. Although no classes are scheduled yet, stay tuned for updates on upcoming offerings. For more information, visit www.francocenter.org or call 207-783-1585.

There are adult education courses in beginner, intermediate and intensive French starting in January in Topsham. You can find details at Merrymeeting.coursestorm.com, by calling 207-729-7323, or by emailing [email protected].

If you are looking for a refresher outside of the classroom in the meantime, both Lewiston and Auburn public libraries offer language-learning books, CDs and DVDs, as well as access to the language-learning tools Mango Languages and Rosetta Stone. Mango Languages is available in the library, at home and on-the-go as an app for both Android and iOS devices. Visit your local library to find out more.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Safe Voices has a few seats open for our next Volunteer Helpline Training which starts on Jan. 23. We are currently seeking local volunteers to help staff our 24-hour free and confidential helpline which covers callers from Franklin, Oxford and Androscoggin counties.

Volunteers work from their homes using their own phones and generally cover the helpline for approximately eight to 12 hours per month, based on their availability and the needs of our helpline coverage. 

The helpline is usually the first contact a person makes with Safe Voices when they are looking for support and services around domestic violence. Helpline workers provide support and advocacy to survivors of domestic violence by assisting in safety planning and helping to identify additional community resources as needed with support from Safe Voices staff.

Interested volunteers must be at least 18 years of age, possess a landline or cellphone with good reception, should be sensitive to domestic violence situations, understand and be able to set clear boundaries, practice good self-care, be dependable and have good listening and communication skills.

The winter training schedule is: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from Jan. 23 through Feb. 3. All classes are held from 4 to 8 p.m. in Lewiston.

To apply to participate in the Safe Voices helpline training, please email a current resume to Staci Beal, Safe Voices fundraising and volunteer coordinator, at [email protected]. If you have any questions about Safe Voices or this training, you can email Staci Beal or call 207-795-6744. — Staci Beal, Safe Voices.

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