February - Scottish Rite

32° Masonic Learning Centers
for Children, Inc.
Whether operating a program
such as the 32°
Masonic Learning Centers
for Children, tutoring
at one of the facilities or donating
your hard-earned money to assure
their continued existence, the best
feedback comes directly from those
who benefit.
For more than a decade the Scottish
Rite Masons of the Northern Masonic
Jurisdiction have made it possible for
more than 50 such centers to open
their doors to those who have learning
disabilities, but what are the results?
Included here is a sampling of
the tremendous progress that has
been achieved. The correspondence
clearly spells out the importance of
the continued support of this worthwhile
endeavor.
The first set of letters comes from
children at the Valley of Chicago center.
Each has expressed gratitude and
has briefly explained the positive outcomes
of attending sessions there.
One is written by a girl named Savana.
She says, “Before I came here,
reading was hard for me. I felt sad,
mad, and embarrassed. Now I am getting
better and it is easier to read.”
Clay writes, “Dear board members, I
thank you for helping me by letting
me come to the center. In school I can
now read chapter books out loud in
class.” Brian adds, “I am so grateful
that you have funded the learning
center. You have given me a chance to
get the help I need to learn more
about the English language. My
grades are up since I have been in the
program.” Adam says “I would be
nowhere without this program. It has
helped me tremendously. My tutor is
the best.” Maddy feels that the center
“makes learning fun” while Fran, who
pondered last Thanksgiving Day, very
eloquently adds, “Thank you from my
turkey-loving heart.”
Positive results come not just to
those in the program today, but they
can and do affect children’s learning
abilities for a lifetime. A New Jersey
center recently received a letter from
parents commenting about their son,
who attended a learning center eight
years ago. Although one of the earliest
attendees, he is still benefiting from
the services received from the Scottish
Rite. Donald and Tammy Williams tell
a little of their son’s past history and
how he is doing today.
“I am writing to inform you of the
wonderful progress of our son
Matthew Williams, a former student
of The Scotch Plains, NJ Scottish Rite
Learning Center. Matt attended the
center approximately eight years ago
when we were living in Plainfield, NJ.
When he arrived at the center it was a
wonder that he was able to make any
progress in school at all. He was identified
with a clear learning disability
and the Plainfield school system just
was not able to help. The guidance
counselor and ESE teacher referred us
to the learning center.
“You should see Matt now. He is a
junior at Charlotte High School in
Florida, the one that was destroyed in
Hurricane Charley. He attends school
in trailers due to that hurricane and
Making A Difference
has been able to maintain a 3.6 GPA
taking honors classes.
“Since sixth grade he has consistently
been on the honor roll and has
even been the student of the year for
grades 7, 8 and 9. In 10th grade he was
nominated for the National Honor Society.
“Because of Matthew’s academic
success and athleticism, he is now
being recruited for football scholarships
at Dartmouth, Princeton, Cornell,
Tufts and Carnegie-Mellon. To
say that your program works and is
successful is an understatement.
Please keep up the good work.”
14 THE NORTHERN LIGHT / FEBRUARY 2007