Greetings from the Maine Educational Opportunity Center!!

Please visit us online at http://meoc.maine.edu/

In this issue:

*August is the time for our Study Skills Workshops!
*Services offered by MEOC
*Attention Residents of the Greater Bangor Area - Family Self-Sufficiency Program Slots Available!
*Staff listing
*Reminder about address corrections

I. Study Skills workshops - Be prepared when school starts in the fall!

Because your success in college will be greatly influenced by your overall approach to your studies, we are offering free MEOC Study Skills Workshops. Facilitated by your MEOC Advisor, a Study Skills Workshop will acquaint you with the study strategies characteristic of successful adult college students. Starting with a learning style inventory, participants will develop useful study habits in the area of note taking, effective listening, test taking, and time management. This workshop will be particularly relevant for those entering college or adult education this fall, but we urge anyone who thinks they might benefit to attend! Find a workshop convenient to your schedule and location below and call 1-800-281-3703 to ask questions or to register!

Location: University College at the Saco Center - Saco Island
Date: 8/2/05
Time: 12:30-2pm
Advisor: Tina McDonald

Location: Training Development Corporation - Bangor
Date: 8/2/05
Time: 1-3pm
Advisor: Catie Leon

Location: University College at the Houlton Center
Date: 8/4/05
Time: 1-3pm
Advisor: Teri Morse

Location: Dover-Foxcroft Career Center
Date: 8/4/05
Time: 1-3pm
Advisor: Catie Leon

Location: Hancock County Higher Education Center - Ellsworth
Date: 8/5/05
Time: 2-4pm
Advisor: Sally Daniels

Location: University College at the Sanford Center - Springvale
Date: 8/9/05
Time: 12:30-2pm
Advisor: Tina McDonald

Location: Training Development Corporation - Bangor
Date: 8/10/05
Time: 1-3pm
Advisor: Catie Leon

Location: Portland Career Center
Date: 8/11/05
Time: 12:30-2pm
Advisor: Tina McDonald

Location: University College - Bangor
Date: 8/15/05
Time: 1-3pm
Advisor: Catie Leon

Location: Hutchinson Center - Belfast
Date: 8/17/05
Time: 2-4pm
Advisor: Joanne Richards

Location: Midcoast Center for Higher Ed. (UC Bath/Brunswick) - Bath
Date: 8/18/05
Time: 2-4pm
Advisor: Joanne Richards

Location: Hancock County Higher Education Center - Ellsworth
Date: 8/19/05
Time: 2-4pm
Advisor: Sally Daniels

Location: Augusta Career Center
Date: 8/19/05
Time: 2-4pm
Advisor: Joanne Richards

Location: Penquis Higher Education Center - Dover-Foxcroft
Date: 8/23/05
Time: 1-3pm
Advisor: Catie Leon

Location: Hutchinson Center - Belfast
Date: 8/24/05
Time: 2-4pm
Advisor: Joanne Richards

Location: Lewiston Career Center
Date: 8/24/05
Time: 1-3pm
Advisor: Christy Le

Location: Midcoast Center for Higher Ed (UC Bath/Brunswick) - Bath
Date: 8/25/05
Time: 2-4pm
Advisor: Joanne Richards

Location: Katahdin Region Higher Education Center - East Millinocket
Date: 8/25/05
Time: 1-3pm
Advisor: Catie Leon

Location: Augusta Career Center
Date: 8/26/05
Time: 2-4pm
Advisor: Joanne Richards

Other times, dates and locations may be available. As with all MEOC workshops, please call to inquire about workshops in your area, confirm dates, times and locations, and register. If you do not register for a workshop that you are planning to attend, we have no way of informing you if the workshop is rescheduled, canceled, or relocated. The list above includes only workshops for those who have already attended the MEOC 101: Essentials of College Planning workshop. However, if you feel like you would benefit from another session of MEOC 101, please call our office to find a workshop site and time that would be best for you.

II. Services offered by MEOC

Call MEOC at 1-800-281-3703 if you need any of the following FREE services:

*Career Advising
*College Planning
*Referrals/Advocacy
*College Admissions Assistance
*Financial Aid Counseling
*Default Loan Counseling

III. Attention Residents of the Greater Bangor Area: Family Self-Sufficiency Program Slots Available!!

If you’re a Section 8 tenant who is interested in saving money while working toward your goal of self-sufficiency, you should look into Bangor Housing Authority’s Family Self-Sufficiency Program. The FSS Program is a HUD funded program that provides you with direction and support as you become free of welfare programs and employed within a five year period. With the help of the FSS Coordinator, you decide where your road to self-sufficiency takes you, whether it be going to college, career training or going directly into the work force. The Coordinator will refer you to community agencies that can help you to reach your goals and remove obstacles that may have been holding you back. As you start earning income, money will accumulate in an escrow account which you can collect upon completion of all of your program goals.

With the help of the FSS Program, you can realize your career goals and have a monetary reward waiting for you at the end of the road! Slots are open at this time, so for more information, call Anne Gunning, FSS Coordinator at the Bangor Housing Authority, by calling 942-6365.

Other Self-Sufficiency programs are available around the state. Call your local Housing Authority to check on availability and qualifications!

IV. Staff Listing

Please keep in touch with your advisor!

* Joanne Richards: joanne.richards@umit.maine.edu - serving Augusta, Rockland, Belfast, Bath, Brunswick, Thomaston, and Waldoboro areas.

* Christy Le: christy.le@umit.maine.edu - serving East Wilton, Norway, Lewiston, Auburn, Oxford, Lisbon Falls, and Rumford areas.

* Catie Leon: catie.leon@umit.maine.edu - serving Lincoln, Dover-Foxcroft, Old Town, and Millinocket areas, and Washington County.

* Until July 21: Jennifer Cole: jennifer.cole@umit.maine.edu After July 21: Sally Daniels: sally.daniels@umit.maine.edu - serving Bangor, Brewer, Waterville, and Skowhegan areas.

* Tina McDonald: tina.mcdonald@umit.maine.edu - serving the Portland area, Sanford, Windham, and Saco.

* Sally Daniels: sally.daniels@umit.maine.edu - serving Ellsworth

* Teri Morse: teri.morse@umit.maine.edu - serving Aroostook County.

* Sarah Paterson: sarah.paterson@umit.maine.edu - serving all clients who have entered into college.

Don't see your area listed? MEOC provides services statewide, just call to find out who services your town! Don't be afraid to call on our advisors if you need some help. You can leave a message for any advisor by calling 1-800-281-3703.

V. Reminder about address corrections

Be sure to contact MEOC at 1-800-281-3703 or via email if you:

- have moved/have an alternate mailing address
- have a new address due to 911 coding
- have changed your phone number
- have married/changed your name
- are going to be changing your email address and would like this newsletter readdressed!

Remember that we can't be of service to you if we can't find you!

If you have any questions/comments/concerns or suggestions for this newsletter, or if you wish to unsubscribe, send an email to sarah.paterson@umit.maine.edu.

Maine Educational Opportunity Center
5713 Chadbourne Hall
Orono, ME 04469-5713
1-800-281-3703
(F)- (207) 581-2532
http://meoc.maine.edu/