About Us
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The Miramichi Literacy Council (MLC) was founded by Dorothy Creighton and a dedicated group of volunteers in 1978. We have been a local non-profit organization for over forty years, and in 2023, became a CRA registered charity.
Our mission is to help adults improve their literacy skills and to promote literacy awareness. We do this through an increasingly broad range of programs and community literacy initiatives. We offer free, confidential one-to-one tutoring for adults in reading, writing and math. We provide both individual and group-based ESL tutoring for newcomers. Local partnerships with the John Howard Society, the Women’s Correctional Centre of New Brunswick and the Chatham Public Library have also allowed us to expand our programs within the community. MLC continues to welcome new an innovative ways to engage new learners and help erase the stigma that prevents adults from learning to read or improving their literacy skills. We strive to make learning more accessible for all New Brunswickers. |
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BECOME A VOLUNTEER Whether you want to become a tutor (training provided using the Laubach Method of one-to-one tutoring), help out with special events and fundraisers, join the board, or assist with administrative tasks (such as data entry, social media), we are sure we can offer you a worthwhile volunteer experience. |
Our Programs
Tutoring
We offer free, one-to-one, confidential tutoring for individuals (ages 18 years and over) who need to upgrade their literacy and numeracy skills. Our programs are designed to work with those who have no reading ability, those seeking a GED, and those requiring ESL support, using the Laubach method of learning. 
WCC Book Club
Since 2019 a group of women at the WCC meet with MLC facilitators to read and discuss a novel every few weeks. This program recognizes how literacy has the power to change lives by exploring strong female representation in literature over a broad range of genres. |
Conversational Circle
This program is geared towards ESL learners by using informal discussion to improve literacy skills. Region-specific idioms, aspects of local culture and topics of special interest are brought up in conversation and further explored. 
Mommy Reads to Me
This program keeps incarcerated mothers at the WCC (Women's Correctional Center) of NB connected with their children by reading aloud and recording a series of children's books each week. The children then receive the recording, along with their very own copy of the book. |
Cooking to Learn
Cooking to Learn helps motivate students to improve their basic reading, writing and math skills using step by step cooking activities. The program is designed to provide a hands-on approach to increase reading comprehension, vocabulary, problem solving, as well as math and science skills. |
Meet the Team
Helping you to meet your literacy goals is our number one priority.
PAT HEGAN
President / Tutor Coordinator Pat has been volunteering with MLC since 2005. She is a dedicated tutor, tutor coordinator, and has served as president since 2017. Volunteering is a commitment that she thoroughly enjoys. She is a retired Human Services Counselor of thirty years. She loves meeting people and listening to their stories – at home and afar. Pat enjoys traveling, swimming, hiking, the outdoors, and spending time with her cats. |
MAUREEN CONNELL
Vice President Maureen has been actively involved with the council since 2016, first as a tutor, and a Food Mentor with Cooking to Learn, then as vice-president in 2020. She has always enjoyed the interactions with learners and clients who participate in MLC programs. She is a retired nurse, mother and grandmother. Maureen believes “each one, teach one” is a great motto for all kinds of living. |
MARY KING
Board Member Mary has been involved with the council since 2015, as an active member on the board of directors and as a volunteer in awareness and fundraising campaigns. She is a retired high school English teacher who feels the MLC is a natural fit for her interests in promoting literacy, building strong communities and encouraging social justice. She believes in shopping locally, thinking globally, and working until the job gets done. Mary is also a member of the Miramichi Historical Society and the local Qi Gona/Tai Chi group. |
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SONJA MAHABIR
Treasurer Sonja has been involved with MLC since 2012, both as a tutor and a Food Mentor with Cooking to Learn. She has served as treasurer since 2017. In her words: “Much like in artistry, there is a beauty in language. We are able to express the world around us, the ideas and culture that forms us, and understand the foundation that we are built upon. Through tutoring I am able to give the paint as knowledge, and the brushes as words to those willing to become their very own (artists). I am able to see, as children holding brushes as extraneous objects, grow into artists of their own who can paint as effortlessly as breathing. That is what literacy is for me.” 
CAROL ANN HILCHEY
Director Carol Ann has been a member of the MLC board since 2008. She is also a Food Mentor with Cooking to Learn. She is a retired registered nurse and nursing instructor. She is also an avid baseball fan, cheering for the Boston Red Sox each season. |
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