Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry

Scottish Rite supports four charities

The 32° Masonic Learning Centers for Children

 

• A Brief History...

  A small boy sits at his desk, looking down at his open book as his classmates read aloud. He wrinkles his forehead and squints his eyes but the letters and words he sees are jumbled, twisted and senseless.

  He grips the book tighter, holds his breath and makes a silent wish that the teacher will not call on him ...

  This child has dyslexia, a common learning disability. He needs help to overcome it before it sets him back emotionally as well as educationally.

  Since 1994, many children have received free specialized instruction at 32° Masonic Learning Centers for Children. Our pledge is to continue to offer this service for as many children as we can - free of charge. We also provide guidance and funding for other means to defeat dyslexia, such as teacher tutor programs, research, and scholarships for teachers.

  Centers are now open in Bangor, Maine; Nashua, New Hampshire; Newtonville (outside Boston) and Lowell, Massachusetts; Rochester, New York; Pemberton, Scotch Plains and Tenafly, New Jersey; Allentown, Pennsylvania; Cincinnati, Toledo and Youngstown, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Scheduled to open within the next few months are Chicago, Illinois and Grand Rapids, Michigan.

  Fund raising continues to operate existing Centers and fund new ones. While all contributions benefit children with dyslexia, donors can designate how they want their gifts to be used. All donations are tax exempt under Section 501(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code.

  Do You Need Our Help?

  For information on dyslexia and procedures for admitting a child into the program, call the hotline at 1-800-647-3394.

  We Need Your Help

  Do you have skills which you will make available to us? Could you volunteer an hour a day, a week, or a month? Your time and expertise is very valuable to us and the children we are serving. Please call 1-800- 647-3342 and volunteer. The children will benefit and you will experience the satisfaction of helping improve these children's lives. Whether it is answering phones, soliciting contributions, playing with kids, pounding nails, painting walls or murals or just giving moral support to others, you can make a difference.

   To visit the Learning Center Web site, click here.

  
  
  The Museum of Our National Heritage and Library

   

  

• The Museum of Our National Heritage and Library provides Masons all over the jurisdiction with information on the history of our country as well as the history of Masonic and other fraternal organizations. The museum consists of the Stanley F. Maxwell Auditorium used for educational and community events, the James Francis Farr Conference Center and the Van Gorden historic library. Traveling exhibits help expand the museum's scope and benefit the brethren who do not live close at hand. To view the museum's own Web site, click here.
  
  
  
  Leon M. Abbott Scholarships Program

  

• One of Freemasonry's fundamental principles is a belief in the importance of the educated mind. Freedom, understanding, and brotherhood are dependent upon our ability to reason effectively. That is why the Masonic fraternity, and Scottish Rite in particular, have long been committed to fostering the value of education. The Abbott Scholarships began with a portion of the legacy of the late Leon M. Abbott, 33°, Sovereign Grand Commander from 1921-1932. Each year nearly 400 scholarships are awarded to eligible and deserving students attending accredited colleges, universities, and specialty schools.

  Eligibility Requirements

  Applicants must be children or grandchildren of Scottish Rite Masons or members of youth organizations sponsored by the Masonic fraternity. Such Valleys and youth groups must be located in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. Applicants must be graduates of a public or private secondary/preparatory school. Application forms are available through the Office of the Secretary of a local Scottish Rite Valley. Completed applications must be returned to the Valley Secretary. The deadline for filing an application is April 1, but an earlier date may be requested for the filing of such application with the local Valley Office.

  Amount of Scholarship Aid

  Numbers and actual amounts of grants vary each year depending on available funds, however, it is hoped that individual grants will range from $500 to $1,000 or more. Each state determines the size of individual grants, years of aid and some eligibility requirements. Grants are paid directly to the educational institution designated for the account of the student based. Last year, 361 young people received $347,000 from the Abbott Scholarships for higher education.

  For additional information, contact your local Valley Secretary.

  
   

• Schizophrenia Fellowships

  

• Since 1934, Scottish Rite in the Northern Jurisdiction has been in the forefront of the fight against mental illness and schizophrenia, the most prevalent and serious type of mental affliction. Our efforts to conquer this dreaded affliction grants for both psychological and biological research. Since that time, several hundred projects have received Scottish Rite grants which have totaled over $21 million. Progress has been slow due to the complexity of understanding the functions of the human brain. The use of antipsychotic drugs has helped reduce some of the problems associated with the affliction.

  Today our emphasis is placed on fellowships for graduate students in behavioral science at colleges and universities located within the 15 states of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.

  All contributions are tax-deductible in accordance with the Federal Internal Revenue Code. For information on how to contribute to this effort or details on the fellowship program, contact the Supreme Council at 33 Marrett Road, Lexington, MA 02173.