by maineseacoast | Dec 4, 2020 | COVID-19 Updates, Island Health, Island Outreach, Maine Seacoast Mission, News, Sunbeam
Sharon Daley, in light gray sweatshirt, administering flu shots in October 2020. (Photo not part of Ellsworth American story.)
ellsworthamerican.com
How will Maine roll out a vaccine?
December 2, 2020 by Kate Cough on News
ELLSWORTH — Certain health-care workers and emergency responders could be given the first doses of a COVID-19 vaccine sometime in December as long as the authorization process goes smoothly, said Dr. James Jarvis, medical specialist for Northern Light Health’s incident command, in a press conference on Nov. 25.
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Sharon Daley, a nurse and Island Health Services director at Maine Seacoast Mission, said she recently finished doing flu shot clinics on six islands and is waiting to hear from the state about plans for COVID-19 vaccines.
“I don’t know how far down on the list the islands will be,” said Daley. “I just want to make sure they are on the list.”
Full story
by maineseacoast | Dec 3, 2020 | COVID-19 Updates, Island Health, Maine Seacoast Mission, News, Sunbeam
Island Health Services Director Sharon Daley, RN and Island Outreach Director & Chaplain Douglas Cornman enroute to an island from the Sunbeam.
NORTHEAST HARBOR, ME — With the Sunbeam reactivated, Director of Island Health Services Sharon Daley, RN is figuring out how best to do her work, providing medical services among island communities. Working under Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Covid-19 restrictions and guidelines means reinventing how Sharon performs her Sunbeam work.
“It feels great being back on the water,” Sharon says, “But it’s hard. We can’t let anybody on the boat and everybody wants to come see. People tell us it’s hopeful just seeing the boat there. And that feels good. Everybody wants it to be normal.” For now, normal includes a self-isolating Sunbeam crew always wearing masks, eating their meals at separate tables.
“If there is a medical problem and I need to use the Sunbeam‘s telemedicine equipment, then the person does come on the boat. There’s a whole protocol everybody has to follow. Everybody has to have masks. They walk onto the boat directly back to my telemedicine room. That’s where I see them. When they’re done they leave directly out the door,” Sharon explains.
Most of Sharon’s work is off the Sunbeam. Either home visits or by phone and videoconferencing. As much as possible, home visits happen outdoors. Indoor visits require masks, well-ventilated areas, and brevity.
“I do a lot by phone — checking in with people — and Zoom,” Sharon said. She initiates calls to people, or “people contact me if they have a problem.” One silver lining to Covid-19? Amended government regulations make it easier for more medical professionals to use telemedicine. “Pretty much everybody’s doing telemedicine now,” said Sharon. “If someone calls and needs help setting up a telemedicine visit, somebody who doesn’t really have a doctor — I try to find somebody who can see them.”
Since the early months of Covid-19, March and April, the existing weekly Zoom conference among island eldercare administrators took on new importance. The Zoom calls “are helpful for the administrators in figuring things out. They share ideas,” said Sharon. “It has been really, really important because the administrators are under a lot of stress and have a lot to deal with. So they’re able to support each other. They need the support because it’s a really hard time for them financially, with staffing issues, and supplies and regulations changing frequently,” Sharon explains.
“It’s very hard for the morale of the [island eldercare home] residents,” she continues. “They’re not getting to see people. They’re not getting to go out. It’s a really lonely time for everybody. We have residents that like to do things. They like to go to the mainland and they like to do things like that. They can’t.” An activity director took part in a recent island eldercare Zoom conference, offering activities the homes could use to engage and entertain residents,” she said.
News of the creation of new Covid vaccines brings hope. As of this writing Sharon doesn’t know when the vaccine(s) will be available to her. But, she said, if she can get it and transport it, she will administer the vaccine on the islands.
Learn more about Sharon Daley’s work.
by maineseacoast | Dec 3, 2020 | Maine Seacoast Mission, News, Pathways, Scholarships, Thank You Thursday
It’s Thank you Thursday. Today’s shout out of Mission love is from our Student Pathways Team to their colleagues at Narraguagus Jr/Sr High School in Harrington for their invaluable collaboration and support with Pathways programs serving middle, high school and college students.
We have had a longstanding partnership with Narraguagus through our former GearUp Program and our Mission Scholarship Program. Recently, we have also partnered through our Journey Program and College Exploration and Engagement Program.
Thank you Maria Frankland, Mary Gordon, Sue Dow, Caroline Foote, Robin Newman, Michele Birkenshaw, Todd Emerson and MaryEllen Day for your encouragement, guidance, and welcoming spirit.
We have missed seeing you as much during this Covid period, but we remain grateful for the opportunity to partner with you on behalf of the students (like Lisett shown here) and communities in which we both believe.
This is what community looks like.
Narraguagus on the web –
by maineseacoast | Dec 1, 2020 | Christmas, Island Outreach, Maine Seacoast Mission, News, Sunbeam
Island boy and Douglas Cornman, excited by Christmas 2019.
NORTHEAST HARBOR, ME — Island Outreach Director and Chaplain Douglas Cornman is extra busy these days working as liaison between the Mission Christmas Program and island communities. The Christmas program provides white paper packages tied up with red string to the islands’ children and teens, as well as to island elders.
Douglas hopes to remind island communities of something else. “The Mission’s Christmas Program is meant to be more than just handing out gifts – mittens and toys for the kids, and puzzle books and lap blankets to the elders. It’s also about carrying on a century old Christmas tradition. Mission gifts symbolize our care for the folks who are really the essence of the islands,” Douglas added.
While telecommunications and modes of transportation for the islands are better than ever, Douglas points out Maine island communities “in many ways are still very isolated.” That, he says, “is why we’re doing what we’re doing.”
Learn more about the Mission’s Christmas Program –
by maineseacoast | Dec 1, 2020 | Downeast Campus, John Zavodny, Maine Seacoast Mission, News
Maine Seacoast Mission’s new Downeast Director Melvin D. Adams III, Ed.D.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 1, 2020
For More Information:
Contact: Scott K Fish, Maine Seacoast Mission Communications and Marketing
sfish@seacoastmission.org or 207-458-7185
Melvin D. Adams III, Ed.D Joins Mission as New Downeast Director
NORTHEAST HARBOR, ME — His background, professional preparation, heart, and commitment to the people and communities of Downeast Maine earned Melvin D. Adams III, Ed.D the position of Maine Seacoast Mission’s new Downeast Director.
Mission President John Zavodny, after thorough review of several highly qualified Downeast Director candidates, said, “Mel’s background and professional preparation touches on all aspects of the Mission’s work in Downeast Maine: education, youth development, food security, community building and multi-generational family engagement. But it was really his heart and obvious commitment to the Downeast Maine people and communities that made Mel the clear choice,” Zavodny said.
“Service is a clear theme throughout Mel’s life,” he continued. “From his recent graduate certification in Human Resources Management, to community engagement and service learning leadership, and food security work in Columbus Ohio – Mel’s commitment to community is one of many things that recommended him as the next leader of the Maine Seacoast Mission’s Downeast efforts,” Zavodny said.
Previously, Mel Adams served as Dean of Enrollment Management and Student Services at Washington County Community College, overseeing 16 employees as senior enrollment manager and student advocate. He was a member of the WCCC President’s executive leadership team, fostering cooperation and communication with college and community stakeholders to meet WCCC’s mission, strategic plan, enrollment goals, and student success. Mel Adams was also Adjunct Faculty member at Southern New Hampshire University, teaching several courses in Higher Education Administration.
This is a new position at the Mission, created in part in response to changes in eastern Hancock and Washington counties. This region, where the Mission’s DEC programs and services focus, is home to independent, industrious, and entrepreneurial communities whose economic wellbeing is tied to the fishing, blueberry, and tourism industries. Changes in those industries present a renewed opportunity for the Mission to lead in the areas of youth development and college readiness, family resources, food security, and community building.
A growing community of Latinx families brings an influx of talent, creativity, and growing opportunities for collaboration. A long history of strong area partnerships with local school districts, other agencies, and families creates a unique opportunity to make a significant difference in these beautiful, rugged, and resilient coastal Maine communities.
As Maine Seacoast Mission’s Downeast Director, Mel Adams is responsible for key Mission programs based out of the Mission’s Downeast Campus in Cherryfield: EdGE; Family Engagement; Student Pathways, Family Food Center, Housing Rehabilitation, and other Downeast Campus (DEC) programs.
Adams will be responsible for the DEC staff; facilities and maintenance; budgeting and budget management; and coordination of administrative activities with central Mission administration functions including finance, development, technology, planning, assessment, and human resources.
Mel Adams said of his new position, “The Maine Seacoast Mission Downeast Campus has built strong partnerships and trust with individuals and families. It is through the tireless work of the Downeast Campus team that community members trust the work that occurs in our schools and communities. I am humbled and excited at the opportunity to join the Mission Downeast Campus where the work is grounded in strength, dignity, and compassion for our families, friends, and neighbors.
“I am thrilled to work alongside a talented team dedicated to Washington and eastern Hancock counties,” Adams continued. “I am called to this work of service, helping people where they are; with what they have; and celebrating gifts they bring to our communities,” he said.
Adams’s higher education degrees include a Doctor of Education, a Master of Arts in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education, Bachelor of Science in Education – Secondary Social Science Education, and an Associate of Arts.
“It is easy to see how the Maine Seacoast Mission and the people of Downeast Maine will be better off with Mel as part of our community,” said President Zavodny.
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by maineseacoast | Dec 1, 2020 | Maine Seacoast Mission, News
NORTHEAST HARBOR, ME — December 1 is #GivingTuesday. Please consider a gift to the Maine Seacoast Mission to help answer our greatest appeals for help in winter: rent, electric, internet, and heating assistance. Today’s #GivingTuesday donations made to our “Emergency Fund”will be dedicated to helping families within our Downeast coastal and unbridged island communities stay safe, warm, and in touch.
We play a key and unique role in supporting and strengthening these communities in this time of incredible disruption. Thank you for your support this #GivingTuesday.
Donate Here: – In the blank space on our donation form marked “Your feedback,” please write in “Emergency Fund.” Thank you.
