Waterville, ME – This past week, the Waterville community celebrated Adult Education and Family Literacy Week (September 16-20) with a series of events showcasing the transformative power of adult education. The highlight of the week was a visit from Mayor Mike Morris, who issued a proclamation recognizing the vital role of adult education in empowering community members, especially immigrants and those seeking to advance their careers.

The week’s celebration featured a micro-library at the Mid-Maine Regional Adult Community Education site, with books generously donated by the Children’s Book Cellar and the Waterville Public Library. Learners and community members explored new opportunities to enhance their literacy skills and access resources.

Below are some highlights of our program, along with national information from the Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE), of which we are a member.

Empowering Immigrants for Workforce Success

The Mid-Maine Regional Adult Community Education program has become a beacon of hope and opportunity for immigrants in the community. With 41 English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) learners from countries such as Brazil, Syria, and Venezuela, the program has helped many individuals achieve remarkable success. For example:

• A Syrian cheesemaker was connected with local cheeseries like Crooked Face Creamery, opening new avenues for his craft.
• One learner has begun a career in law enforcement, starting work at the Kennebec County Jail.
• Two learners recently earned their U.S. high school credentials and will begin studies at Kennebec Valley Community College this fall, benefiting from free community college tuition.

Recognizing the diverse needs of its learners, the program is developing an ESOL WorkReady course, aimed at preparing students for college or entering the workforce.

Digital Literacy: Bridging the Skills Gap

In a world where 28 million adults lack basic digital skills, the demand for digital literacy training is immense. The Mid-Maine Regional Adult Community Education program offers a variety of digital literacy courses, from beginner classes to advanced Microsoft skills. With its Digital Literacy class filled to capacity, the program is committed to meeting learners where they are and providing essential support, whether it’s creating a Google account or mastering computer basics.

A Proclamation of Support

Mayor Mike Morris’s visit during Adult Education and Family Literacy Week was a significant moment for the Mid-Maine Regional Adult Community Education program. His proclamation acknowledged the program’s efforts to support the community through education and workforce development. “We’re beyond honored to receive this proclamation from the City of Waterville,” the program stated. “Huge thanks to Mayor Morris—we can’t wait to welcome him back to our office.”

Expanding Workforce Training

The program’s impact extends beyond literacy and language skills. Recent workforce training initiatives have produced impressive results:

• 41 learners have been trained in Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA), and Bank Teller Basics.
• Since 2016, 201 CCMA graduates have achieved a 92% employment rate.
• The CCMA program has helped reduce hiring shortages at Maine General by 50% in one year.

These achievements demonstrate how investing in education can directly benefit the local workforce and economy.

Cultural Celebration and Community Engagement

The week’s events also included a celebration of Sukkot, the Jewish Harvest Festival, with a workshop titled “Welcoming Our Ancestors,” facilitated by Jessica Hamilton-Jones for the ESOL Level 1 class. Learners created collages representing their personal histories and sense of home, adding a creative and cultural dimension to the week’s activities.

The Mid-Maine Regional Adult Community Education program invites the community to continue supporting adult education initiatives and community events. Visit the MMRACE facebook page to stay updated.

Library Partnership: A Gateway to Learning

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month, and the program encouraged all learners to visit their local libraries and sign up for a library card—a gateway to endless learning opportunities. The newly unveiled micro-library, featuring books from the Waterville Public Library and the Children’s Book Cellar, provided free books, micro-notebooks, and a chance to explore the power of reading.

Building Brighter Futures

Investing in adult education pays dividends not only for learners but for the entire community. High school equivalency graduates typically earn nearly $10,000 more annually. Last year, 110 HiSET learners at Mid-Maine Regional Adult Community Education took 141 tests, achieving an impressive 92% pass rate.

As the community reflects on the successes of Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, Mid-Maine Regional Adult Community Education remains committed to helping more adults achieve their educational and career goals. Together, we can continue to create pathways to success and fill more jobs, strengthening our community one learner at a time.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ADULT EDUCATION AND FAMILY LITERACY WEEK HERE.