by maineseacoast | Nov 15, 2018 | Downeast Campus, Food Pantry, Maine Seacoast Mission, News
CHERRYFIELD, ME — In the latter part of October 2018, Mission Service Program Director Wendy Harrington sent word of new display units, courtesy Good Shepherd Food Bank, at our Downeast Campus Food Pantry.
Mission Community Resource Director Megan Burgess followed up Director Harrington’s message with photos and backgrounder.
“Thanks to Good Shepherd Food Bank for providing funding for the display units through their Capacity Building Grant program,” said Megan Burgess. Good Shepherd describes this grant program as “a competitive grant process that awards funds to partner agencies of the Food Bank that seek to make improvements to their program, allowing them to more effectively serve the individuals in their communities.”
“The display units have helped the Food Pantry better highlight baked goods and fresh produce, and they enhance the shopping experience of our food pantry patrons,” said Burgess
Learn more about the Mission’s Food Programs.
by maineseacoast | Nov 13, 2018 | Downeast Campus, EdGE, Maine Seacoast Mission, News
Charlie Harrington (center) with friends at the August 2018 Sunbeam Award Gala.
mainechildrensalliance.wordpress.com
Meet Charlie Harrington, 2018 Giraffe Award Winner
Posted on November 2, 2018 by Maine Children’s Alliance
Charlie Harrington is the Director of Maine Seacoast Mission’s EdGE program. EdGE is the Mission’s after-school and summer program for children in grades four through high school in six communities in Washington County. For over 20 years, Charlie has worked in education and youth development creating adventure-based programs. He was a national trainer for Project Adventure for 20 years and is currently on the board of High Five Adventure Learning Center.
Charlie was hired in 2002 and was instrumental in creating and developing the EdGE (Ed Greaves Education) program which now supports more than 700 Washington and Hancock County children each year. Through EdGE, students challenge themselves, engage with their communities and the outdoors, and explore college and career options.
The after-school program also offers academic support, and in-school programs include peer mentoring for students beginning high school. EdGE is designed to help students make informed choices about their futures and develop the resources and skills to be successful—and happy—in life. Charlie has been critical to the success of this program, and throughout his career, in developing and implementing programs like this one to inspire youth to reach their fullest potential.
Full Profile
by maineseacoast | Nov 6, 2018 | Downeast Campus, EdGE, News
CHERRYFIELD, ME — The Weald Bethel Community Center will now be open for Family Movie Nights! The first night will be November 9th and the movie will be Moana. Come with your family and enjoy dinner and a movie!
The Weald Bethel Community Center is located at the end of the road that continues pass the EdGE Building. The address: 39 Weald Bethel Lane, Cherryfield, ME.
by maineseacoast | Nov 1, 2018 | Island Health, Maine Seacoast Mission, News, Sunbeam
Some ElderCare Conference 2018 attendees at the end of day two.
ISLESBORO, ME — No doubt the group of elder care providers and presenters at the Maine Seacoast Mission’s October 23-24 on Island ElderCare Conference on Islesboro island were very glad to be at the table, said one attendee, “with people who speak the same language.”
For ten years Mission Island Health Director Sharon Daley, RN, has helped create a network for the islands represented at the Conference. “What a great group of people who do so much for many,” Sharon said of the event.
In addition to this annual in-person Conference, the group stays connected throughout the year in other ways.
In the Mission’s July 13, 2018 blog post, “Maine Island Elder Care Homes: Ahead of Their Time,” Sharon Daley explained the network’s effectiveness. Between conferences we “have monthly phone calls. Two or three times a year we meet in Augusta with State people involved in licensing and regulations. Island elder care homes got a 15-percent MaineCare increase when we proved it costs more to run an elder care home on an island,” Sharon said.
Islands represented at this year’s conference were: Chebeague Island, Cliff Island, Isle au Haut, Islesboro, Islesford, Long Island, North Haven, Peaks Island, and Vinalhaven.
The guest presenters and their topics for discussion were:
Maine Health Care Association President & CEO Rick Erb, and also, State government representatives with updates on Elder Care Issues.
Betty J. Harris, Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice and APPE Coordinator at Husson University’s School of Pharmacy, Bangor, ME discussed medication awareness/safety tips.
Music Therapist Melissa Violette spoke about the benefits of music therapy with dementia, and also, as self-care for caregivers.
Kandyce Powell, Executive Director of Maine Hospice Council and Center for End-of-Life Care spoke about many aspects of dealing with grief.
Nancy Hathaway, licensed by the State of Maine as the first Licensed Pastoral Counselor in the Buddhist tradition, gave an Introduction to Mindfulness-based Compassionate Communication.
“This conference just gives so much energy. You go back (home) with so many ideas. Keep having this conference. It’s so important,” said Cindy Thomas of Islesford.
Asked for their takeaways from the Conference, attendee’s answers included: the need for island elder caregivers to frame their stories and share them with their island populations. Also, building the community presence, working on a drug take back program, advance directives, living on fixed incomes, and strengthening the network.
Peggy Akers of Cliff Island said in a followup email to Sharon Daley and Sharon’s assistant Margaret Snell, “Thank you for all you do to bring us together each year. You fill our hearts and our souls with so much. Music, food, friendship, and continued passion for the dreams we all have for our beautiful islands.”
