Northeast Delta Dental, Bar Harbor Bank and Trust, and Eversource support the humanities and continuing education
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Across New Hampshire, in adult education centers, prisons, and New American service agencies, residents gather to develop their reading, discussion, and critical employment skills. Many use the Connections program from New Hampshire Humanities (NHH) to build these critical skills through literature. However, a perfect storm of budget cuts from the federal and state governments threatens the ability of these organizations to help these residents achieve their employment and education goals. In April, the federal government cancelled the long-standing contract between the National Endowment for the Humanities and New Hampshire Humanities, costing NH over $500,000 in federal income.
Thus, NHH is particularly grateful to Northeast Delta Dental for their $5,000 sponsorship, Bar Harbor Bank and Trust for their $2,500 sponsorship, and Eversource Energy for their $1,000 sponsorship to support the Connections program to ensure adult literacy and access to the humanities for hundreds of residents across New Hampshire.
Connections is a book discussion program designed to promote English language skills, cultivate conversations about ideas, reinforce family literacy, and support a culture of reading to nearly 600 adult learners across the state of New Hampshire each year. Connections participants can receive up to four free books and keep the books they read. Through this support, low to moderate income individuals will be able to continue their education and advance in their employment careers.
A longtime Connections host teacher at Nashua Adult Learning Center (ALC) said, “We have so many more students looking for English instruction at the ALC than we can possibly fit into our classes. Without Connections, we would be turning away a lot of students. The beautiful books, facilitators, trainings, and online frameworks provide the resources necessary to be able to serve many more students and help them to learn English, feel like they belong, and become vibrant and active members of our community.”
When government support for these types of programs decreases, it can be critical for individuals, foundations, and corporations to step in. "Northeast Delta Dental, Bar Harbor Bank and Trust, and Eversource Energy have been strong supporters of NHH and Connections' work for some years, but their support is even more critical this year with the loss of federal funding" says Mary Nolin, Connections Program Manager. "NHH is the only organization promoting literacy and life skills specifically through the humanities. NH needs this work now more than ever as we work to find commonality, appreciate each other's thoughts and experiences, and connect through shared stories. We thank Northeast Delta Dental, Bar Harbor Bank and Trust, & Eversource, for helping make this possible."
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New Hampshire Humanities funds and supports programs that inspire curiosity, foster civil dialogue, and explore big questions. An independent, statewide nonprofit, NHH made possible last year 786 free public programs reaching 26,656 residents, in partnership with 251 organizations in 172 communities, to engage all citizens, regardless of their age or educational level, with the humanities. For more information, please visit www.nhhumanities.org/connections.
