A Family Affair

by Bridget Steele Assistant Director of Charities

Barbara Labrecque has been working as the Center Director for the Portland, Maine, Children’s Dyslexia Center for more than 20 years. Over the last two decades, she’s helped change the lives of hundreds of children and has loved witnessing the transformation that takes place in so many of her students. “To see the changes in the kids coming through the door when they realize that they can get it, that you've helped unlock the secret code and that they can do it. Their attitude just changes. It’s incredible,” she said.

But Barbara never imagined her son Andrew would follow in her footsteps.

A long-time New York City resident, Andrew moved to the city in the 90s to study film. After working as a film editor, he happened into a career as a project manager in the creative service departments of some large investment banks. Eventually, he felt the pull to leave the corporate world and find more fulfilling work.

“I wanted to work with people who aligned more with my values. I wanted to do some work that made a difference,” Andrew shared. He started taking on private clients and worked with several nonprofits before hearing from his mother about plans for a new Children’s Dyslexia Center opening in New York City.

Knowing of his mother’s work at Portland Center, the idea of being trained as an Orton-Gillingham certified tutor appealed to Andrew, and he enrolled in the tutor training program. One of the things that attracted him to the program was the educator training aspect.

“When you train teachers, a handful of them might stay with the Center, but then the others might go out and do some tutoring in their own communities. Each teacher can affect a number of kids. That’s an incredible thing. So the idea that the Masons are offering basically free training for teachers as well as the tutoring for the children—it’s such an incredible program.”

Barbara echoed how grateful she is for the Scottish Rite’s long-time support of the program. “The Masons have been there all along. Without them, we wouldn’t exist, and I really appreciate their efforts.”

Andrew enrolled in the training, but he hadn’t considered becoming the new Center’s director until he was told about the open position and encouraged to apply. His unique creative background and connections within the city made him the ideal candidate for the job. But he is especially looking forward to making a difference in his community. Andrew’s own daughter, now in her twenties, grew up attending New York City Public Schools, and he has a special affinity for New York kids.

“Dyslexia affects one in five. That’s a lot of kids here who need help. So, this is really an amazing opportunity to give some service to the community here,” he said. “I love the idea of being able to impact kids’ lives, and on a very direct, one-on-one level—it’s an amazing opportunity.”

Andrew has spent the last several months preparing for his new role, and he has enjoyed talking shop with his mother. Barbara recently spent a long weekend visiting her son in New York City, and much of their time was filled with making and practicing lesson plans. Andrew said he loves seeing his mother’s excitement for the CDC program. “Her enthusiasm is infectious. She showed up off the plane, and as soon as she sat down in our living room, she started pulling out books,” he recalled. “She’s an amazing teacher. To see her in this way gives me a whole new level of appreciation for her. I feel like if I was in one of her classes, I would be very lucky.”

Much like her son, Barbara loves the meaningful work she does at the Portland Center. “I really get something back. I feel good about what I do, and I think at the end of the day, I wouldn’t change anything in my workplace; I like it that much.”

After all the years she’s spent working for the program, hearing updates on her former students never gets old. “Last week I got a call from a former parent, and I asked how her daughter Hannah was doing. And she said, ‘Oh, I’m so glad you asked. Hannah, who couldn’t read before she went through the Center, is now a pre-med student. It’s because of the Center, and Hannah knows it.’ It was a wonderful story to hear.”

The New York City Center is on track to open this spring, and Andrew is looking forward to hitting the ground running in his new position. “I am just thrilled to be part of the organization.

I’m thrilled to start working with kids. I’m thrilled to be getting the Center

And if he has any questions about his new position, Barbara is only a phone call a way. “I never imagined it in a million years. I always thought he would be a great teacher. I’m very proud and very excited. It’s nice to have it all in the family—from Maine to New York,” she said.

For more information on your local Center and how you can help students access essential tutoring resources, please visit: www.ChildrensDyslexiaCenters.org open and getting the ball rolling here in New York.”