Through a grant from the
Maine Humanities Council, Merrymeeting Adult Education was able to sponsor a book club this Fall (2021) at the Two Bridges Regional Jail. As part of the Discussion Project by the Maine Humanities Council, the book club involved six female inmates reading and discussing American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins. This Program was specifically designed to support individuals disconnected from their communities.
Initiated by Dawn Wheeler, the Bath Site Coordinator for Merrymeeting, and facilitated by educator, Anne Schlitt, the book club ran from Oct 28th to Dec 16th at the jail in Wiscasset. Participants engaged in weekly discussions about personal responsibility, immigrant experiences, and cultural perceptions. Many of the participants commented on how their discussions of the book made them analyze their own choices in the context of their current situations.
Feedback about the program has been overwhelmingly positive in the community. Some of the participants have expressed interest in furthering their literacy skills via the Maine College & Career Access Program.