Borders Conducted Book Drive for MLC’s Moms & Tots
Throughout the month of August, Borders bookstore in Fairfield in partnership with Ronald McDonald House of Connecticut hosted a book drive for Mercy Learning Center to promote literacy and give books to children in our Mother/Toddler Pre-literacy and School Readiness Program.

Borders, with the help of Mercy Learning Center, selected and designed in-store displays full of children’s books, such as books written by Eric Carle and Leoni Leo. Throughout August, customers who visited the Fairfield Borders store were encouraged to purchase and donate new children books to benefit the Center As part of this month-long event, storybook characters Maisy the Mouse and Clifford the Big Read Dog made guest appearances at the store.

The book drive was a tremendous success! Local area residents and friends of Mercy Learning Center generously donated 937 books for our toddlers who are given a book each week to bring home and begin their own home library!

Katie and Chris Saladin visit with Clifford the Big Red Dog during Borders’ book drive.

MLC Volunteer Tutor Linda Rothman and MLC Board Member Kathy Caulfield provided information and answer questions regarding MLC.

Mercy Learning Center Hosted International Literacy Day Open House
Participating in the worldwide observance of International Literacy Day, Mercy Learning Center hosted an open house on Monday, September 10th to raise awareness of the need for literacy training in our local communities. In addition to a light lunch and refreshments, a brief program included a welcome by our new Board of Directors Chairperson Beth Davis of Fairfield, an introduction by President and CEO Jane Ferreira, a presentation by educational consultant to the State of Connecticut Department of Education Ajit Gopalakrishnan, and testimonials by two Mercy Learning Center GED graduates. Local agency representatives, donors, current students, interested individuals, and friends of Mercy Learning Center attended this community event.

International Literacy Day was first observed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on September 8, 1967. Thirty years later, UNESCO continues its international advocacy for education and has greatly enhanced the promotion of International Literacy Day as a worldwide celebration each year. “Literacy, key to good health and well-being” was the theme of this year’s International Literacy Day celebrated around the world, which focused on the vital connection between literacy and health. According to the Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura, “Literacy strengthens the capabilities of people to take advantage of healthcare and educational opportunities – for example, by seeking medical help for themselves and a sick child, by adopting preventive health measures such as immunization, and by acquiring greater knowledge of family planning methods. Educated parents, especially mothers – whether through formal schooling or adult programs – are more likely to send their children to school and have a better understanding of their healthcare needs.”

(l to r) MLC President and CEO Jane Ferreira, State of Connecticut Dept. of Ed Consultant Ajit Gopalakrishnan, MLC Board President Beth Davis, State of Connecticut Governor Representative Chris Tymniak, MLC GED graduates Brenda and Mary.

GED graduate Mary shares her success story with the audience.

Guest speaker, State of Connecticut Dept. of Ed Consultant Ajit Gopalakrishnan addressed the need for literacy training in Connecticut and Bridgeport.

“A View of the Harbor” Benefit
Under a clear, starlit sky, more than 130 guests gathered at a private home overlooking Southport’s harbor entrance and Long Island Sound at a benefit for Mercy Learning Center of Bridgeport on Sunday, September 16th. This fundraising event introduced new friends to the mission of Mercy Learning Center and its women’s literacy programs, which impact the lives of more than 500 women and 100 children each year. This elegant party, included an array of fine hors d’oeurves catered by A Dash of Salt Catering of Weston, a martini bar, a harpist, a welcome by the Center’s President and CEO Jane Ferreira, touching testimonials from GED graduate Brenda and volunteer tutor Andy Gleeman of Fairfield, as well as an elaborate silent auction that featured vacation packages, a Porsche for a weekend, and a variety of event tickets, gift certificates, and treasures from local merchants.

Proceeds from the “A View of the Harbor” event supported the Center’s literacy and life skills programs, which focus on educating and empowering low-income, undereducated women from the greater Bridgeport area. Entering its 21st year, the Center continues to offer full-time and part-time adult education programs, as well as a variety of life enrichment activities and on-site support services. Its goal is to prepare women to earn a GED diploma, enter college, or secure “living wage” employment. More than 175 Fairfield County residents serve as volunteer tutors each year.

Hosts Barbara and Brad Evans of Southport with MLC Development Director Kathy Flynn Parisi (far left) and MLC President & CEO Jane Ferreira (far right).

MLC GED graduate and guest speaker Brenda T.

MLC volunteer tutor and guest speaker Andy Gleeman of Fairfield.

Rachel Mitchell, Kim Rummelsburg, Tammy Barry & MLC Tutor Coordinator Diane Holmes, all of Westport.

MLC volunteer tutors Andy Gleeman of Fairfield and Lynn McAlevey with husband and MLC Board Member Michael McAlevey of Westport.

Longtime MLC Supporters Carleen and Peter Kunkel of Trumbull and Jill and Hank Heck of Fairfield.

Lynn and Tom Goldberg, Chris and Kris Greer, and Claire and David Hertan, all of Westport.

120+ Golfers Tee’d Off for Literacy
Leaves were beginning to fall around the 120 friends of Mercy Learning Center who participated in Mercy Learning Center’s 13th Annual Golf Tournament on Monday, September 24th, 2007 at the prestigious Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield. The tournament was originally to take place on June 4th, but was rescheduled due to rain. According to those who golfed on September 24th, it was worth the wait!

Under the direction of chairperson Regina Bobroske of Easton, many committee members and the Center’s Board of Directors are working hard toward a successful fundraising event which brought in the much-needed support for the Center’s literacy programs. Pre-tournament practice and a barbeque lunch preceded an exceptional day of golf at one of the area’s most prestigious clubs. A banquet for golfers and other guests followed the tournament, and featured a buffet dinner, awards ceremony, raffle, and live and silent auction. Dianne Nolan, Assistant Coach for the Yale Women’s Basketball team was the celebrity auctioneer. Auction items include: a wine tasting dinner for eight prepared in your home by a European trained professional chef, a Colorado ski or golf vacation to Beaver Creek, tickets to sporting events, a BMW for a weekend, rounds of golf at Burning Tree Country Club in Greenwich and Country Club of Fairfield, and more! BMW of Bridgeport, who offered a BMW Z4, sponsored the hole-in-one contest.

Golfers Karen da Silva and Nealy Madsen on the course.

Guest Speaker MLC Graduate Monique shares her success story.

Golfers Mary Beth Clayton, Mary Cunningham and Kathleen Galvin enjoy the barbeque lunch.

Golfer Walter Flynn participated in the putting contest.

Tournament Chair Regina Bobroske welcomes the golfers and makes pre-game announcements.

Mercy Learning Center Hosts Family Fun Day
With games, clowns, face-painting, food, prizes, and dancing, more than 300 students and friends of Mercy Learning Center gathered under sunny skies on Saturday, October 13th, for a Family Fun Day sponsored and organized by Shelton-based MDR, a D&B Company. This family-centered event was attended by the women enrolled at Mercy Learning Center and their families and took place in the Center’s backyard.

Since 1987, Mercy Learning Center of Bridgeport, a non-profit women's literacy agency, has been providing free education to help low-income women learn to speak English, improve their basic math and reading skills, build employment skills, and work toward earning a GED diploma and entering college. With over 34,000 functionally illiterate adults in the city of Bridgeport, the Center has been making a positive impact on this urban community for more than 20 years. “Our Family Fun Day is a community-building opportunity to bring together our students’ families. We are grateful to MDR for sponsoring this special celebration,” said Mercy Learning Center’s President and CEO Jane Ferreira.

As the leading U.S. provider of marketing information and services for the education industry, MDR supported Mercy Learning Center by underwriting the event and executing the activities with the assistance of more than 20 of their employees who helped at the event plus many more who contributed baked goods. According to MDR President Fady Khairallah, “MDR has a long history of being involved in community events. We like to participate in service programs that allow our employees to take an active role in promoting education. Mercy Learning Center’s Family Fun Day provided a perfect opportunity for us to get involved in an event that focuses on building a community at the Center to enhance their literacy programs.” Under the direction of MDR's Product Specialist Marianne Roggemann of Shelton, the team of committee chairpersons who commandeered this event included Marta Kudej of Ansonia, Roz Urbano and Carol Vass of Fairfield; Kathy Belanger and Michele Tessier of Milford; Debbie Gallant of Monroe; Diana Winarski of New Milford; Donni Dojlidko of Shelton. Many more employees and student volunteers from St. Joseph’s High School and Lauralton Hall offered assistance.

Mothers, fathers, children, tutors, and friends of Mercy Learning Center enjoyed the Family Fun Day; they ate barbequed food and desserts donated by MDR staff members and MLC volunteer tutors, had their faces painted by Jammie the Gentle Clown, played games and won prizes, and interacted with Mighty Mike the Clown who created balloon animals. The Stratford High School dance team performed for the crowd and welcomed the audience to join in a dance train. The festivities ended with a raffle, which included family passes donated by the Beardsley Zoo and painted pumpkins.

(l to r) MDR President Fady Khairallah, MDR Product Specialist Marianne Roggemann, and MLC President and CEO Jane Ferreira.

Jammie the Clown facepainting one of the children.

MLC Student, Carmen C., won a painted pumpkin and Beardsley Zoo family pack at the raffle.

MDR’s team of volunteers.