Not a lot has changed for Tri-County Literacy since the nonprofit began tutoring children and adults in 1970. The Bath-based organization has provided free services assisting people struggling with their English language skills.

In August, the group is changing its name to Midcoast Literacy.

Despite the group's near half-century in existence, the public is largely unaware about its services. The group’s marketing problem became more apparent in June when seasonal international student workers in Boothbay Harbor asked about local English language services. None of the organizers knew Tri-County Literacy had volunteers available locally and free of charge.

“The name has been a problem. Tri-County? What counties? It didn’t describe who we are are,” said Executive Director Donald Lader. “Midcoast is better. We service Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties and the Brunswick area so it says it all.”

The group has several volunteers in the Boothbay region and officials were surprised nobody could direct international students to its services during the June welcome luncheon.

“We’ve had a presence in the library for years including posters describing our services. So it was a surprise to read that in the Register,” he said.

The group offers one-on-one tutoring sessions to anyone wanting to improve their English language skills. Whether it’s speaking, reading or writing, the group has nearly three dozen volunteers serving 60 adults.

One of the tutors is Barbara Brennan of Edgecomb. She has volunteered for two years. Brennan previously worked in a Framingham, Massachusetts, state-funded adult literacy program. When she moved to Maine, Brennan still had a passion for teaching and volunteered after seeing a local advertisement seeking English tutors.

“I’m a teacher at heart. I enjoy the opportunity to sit down and help them work towards their goals, and literacy is a huge part of that,” she said.

The group matches a tutor with a student. The two work out a schedule. One of Brennan’s recent students was a young female immigrant who recently married a citizen. Her goal was obtaining a Maine driver’s license. “The state offers drivers tests in English, Spanish and French. So her goal was improving her English to pass the test,” Brennan said.

Most of her students are preparing to take a GED (General Education Diploma) exam. Brennan described the five-part test as a difficult endeavor. The test includes reading, writing, mathematics, social studies, science and language arts. “It’s a massive undertaking. It has five 90-minute sections, and for somebody out of school for 10 or more years, it is definitely a challenge. I'm glad I didn’t have to take it,” she said.

The group's tutors come from a variety of backgrounds, but most have either an English degree or teaching experience. Tutors get 14 hours of training on phonics, mnemonics, vocabulary and fluency.

Midcoast Literacy also has programs to promote literacy at an early age and reduce the number of adults needing help. Midcoast offers free year round services to local Headstarts, libraries and other youth programs, and hosts its own children’s literacy program. The group's summer book program has 153 families involved.

Another program is Read Together which currently provides tutoring to 12 children ages 6-13. Tutors meet individually with students twice a week. The student and tutor select a book and read together.

A former kindergarten teacher directs the youth program. Kate Clark began as a volunteer six years ago. She is now the youth director and one of three paid part-time employees. Clark said the students have shown a marked improvement in their reading ability.

“I really like Read Together,” Clark said. “It helps students struggling to read by providing them with support outside the constraints of traditional schooling. I see the progress everyday.”

Midcoast Literacy has a 12-person board of directors and is funded through public donations and grants. United Way of Midcoast Maine provides a significant amount of support, according to Lader. Dave D’Amour is a retired banker who serves as board chairman. He understands the need for literacy services.

He joined and remains on the board for one reason. “There are a lot of great success stories,” he said. “When I was recruited I was told about the success, and the success is still continuing.”

Midcoast Literacy is at 34 Wing Farm Parkway. Lader encourages anyone interested in improving their English to visit the office for an assessment. For more information about Midcoast Literacy, call 443-6384 or visit tricountyliteracy.org