This year MWB Weglage and First Lady Karen selected the Children’s Dyslexia Centers (CDC) as their charitable focus for the year. To better understand the importance and impact of the charity we interviewed Brother Dick Heldman, who holds a position on the Board of Directors for the CDC. He explained what they do, his connection to the organization, and how Ohio Masons can get involved.
Please introduce yourself. Tell us your name, title, how long you’ve been a Freemason and your relationship to the Children’s Dyslexia Centers (CDC).
I’m Dick Heldman, 33°, an Active Member of the Supreme Council for the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, NMJ and Deputy for Ohio. I joined the fraternity in the spring of 1992 and the Scottish Rite in the fall of 1992. I currently serve on the Board of Directors for the Children’s Dyslexia Centers, Inc., as the Secretary.
Tell us about what the CDC does.
The Scottish Rite operates 40 CDC’s in 13 states within the NMJ and we are nationally recognized for the centers’ dyslexia tutoring. We provide intensive reading instruction for children grades 1 through 12 who have been diagnosed with dyslexia. Our students receive one-on-one tutoring by trained tutors who utilize the Orton-Gillingham based method, which is a multisensory structured language education approach. Over 16,000 children have been assisted through the help of our program.
Tell us about your experience with the organization.
One of the core values of a Scottish Rite Mason is, Service to Humanity. My wife Susan and I are longstanding financial supporters of The Southeast Ohio Dyslexia Center, located in my home Valley of Cambridge. As a result, I have been witness to the many children whose lives have been impacted by the tutoring provided by the center. I’ve been touched by the tearful testimonials provided by many parents as their children graduate from our program.
What is the importance of the CDC being picked by MWB Weglage and First Lady Karen as their charitable focus for the year?
I am grateful to MWB Paul Weglage and First Lady Karen for raising awareness of our CDC across the state. They are introducing this Scottish Rite charity to our entire masonic family, some who may not be members of the Scottish Rite or our Masonic fraternity. Educating our members and communities as to how we are changing the lives of children with dyslexia is critical to our mission of reaching those in need of our service and to those who we seek to support our efforts.
How can Ohio Masons get involved and support this cause?
Many opportunities exist for involvement in any of our six centers in Ohio. Consider sponsoring a child, assist in a local fundraiser, or serve on a Center Board of Governors. Donations are always welcomed. If you enjoy working with young people, consider becoming a certified tutor at one of our centers.
Want to learn more, locate a center, or make a donation? Visit childrensdyslexiacenters.org.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
While we do not charge our students or their families for our tutoring, the service is not free. The average cost to tutor a child at one of our centers is $6500, so we are continually seeking support for the operations of our centers.
On behalf of the Children’s Dyslexia Centers, Inc., I am truly grateful and wish to thank Grand Master Weglage and Lady Karen for their support of this great Scottish Rite charity.
As we say at the CDC, “together, we are changing lives, one child at a time!”
Interested in supporting the First Lady’s charitable focus of the year? Learn more about how you can get involved!