Happy Wednesday!
New this week:
- Oct. 1 – 31 the Clothesline Project will be displayed in Merrill Library. The project bears witness to people who have experienced different types of interpersonal violence through a clothesline filled with shirts decorated by survivors or their loved ones. When visiting the library we also encourage anyone to decorate paper shirts to display on a mini clothesline on display.
- Oct. 9 there will be a Domestic Violence Awareness Walk throughout town starting at 5:30 pm in front of the Performing Arts Center. The walk will end at the foot of College Hill at the Domestic Violence Memorial Tree, for a candlelight vigil.
For more information about these events or to request reasonable accommodations, call 207-255-1343.
MaineStreet Business Building and partners invite you to a free Zoom workshop tomorrow, October 2nd, 3:45 — 5 pm, Intentional Culture: Build a Healthy Work Environment. In this session, you’ll explore the importance of company culture and how to strengthen a positive and productive work environment. You’ll learn strategies to intentionally shape or refine a culture that aligns with your business values—whether you’re building from the ground up or looking to enhance what’s already working. All registrants will receive the recording, so sign up even if you can’t make it live! Register here.
October Biz Fit: Spooky Season!
- What can I actually control right now?
- What’s out of my control?
- How do I steer my business through the coming months or the next year?
Community Response Core Training
- parades
- health fairs
- community celebrations
- fundraising events
- community-based presentations
- building confidence in your voice
- represent your community
- increase outreach & safety
RSVP to info@nextstepdvproject.org or 1-800-315-5579.
Volunteering with UMaine Extension 4-H
University of Maine Cooperative Extension is hosting online informational sessions for adults interested in becoming Maine 4-H volunteers. Participants can choose from several options, including 6–7 pm on October 15 or 3–4 pm on October 16. Additional dates and times can be found on the program webpage. “Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey” will provide participants with information about the UMaine Extension 4-H program, including key aspects of positive youth development and opportunities to help youth as a volunteer. The one-hour virtual sessions will also outline the application process for anyone interested in getting involved. Adults interested in starting a 4-H club, sharing expertise and passion through shorter programs that last a few hours or a few weeks, or assisting with local county 4-H events are encouraged to attend. The informational sessions are free; registration is required on the program webpage. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Jennifer Lobley at jennifer.lobley@maine.edu or 207-255-3345.
Date Change for Hospice Training
The 4th class in this fall’s training for Downeast Hospice volunteers has changed from October 26th to the 28th. The new schedule is October 20, 23, 24, 28 and 29 (must attend all days), at the Calais Community Hospital, 10 am — 3 pm. Questions are welcome – contact us today at info@downeasthospice.org or 454-7521 ext. 9126. See more in the Serial Classes and Groups section of this Newsletter.
Wayfinder Schools Open House
Join Wayfind Schools on October 22nd for our fall Open House! We’ll gather at our Camden Campus on 79 Washington Street from 4-6pm for homemade soup, mulled apple cider and other fall treats. Swing by to meet staff, students, board members, and graduates. Tour the school, view student art, connect with friends and neighbors, and enter to win a door prize. All ages welcome & we can’t wait to see you there!
Work and Wellness for Older Adults, Thursday, October 23rd, 8:30 am — 3:30 pm on Zoom. Employment is a social determinant of health for all of us as we age. Workforce, labor, and aging experts share insights about later-life work as a factor of wellness. Join us to learn about:
- The relationship between work and wellness
- The challenge for older workers, employers, and health professionals
- The program and policy approaches to encourage work for those who want it.
- Work Accommodations that support older adults.
Read the agenda and register. Discount codes available at registration.
National Alliance for Caregiving invites you to an intimate conversation with Emma Heming Willis, author of “The Unexpected Journey” and passionate advocate for family caregivers. Following her husband Bruce Willis’ frontotemporal dementia (FTD) diagnosis, Emma has transformed her personal caregiving experience into a powerful platform for change. In this candid discussion, Emma will share how navigating the complexities of FTD caregiving has deepened her understanding of the urgent need for systemic support. We’ll explore her evolution from private caregiver to public advocate, discussing the cultural shifts needed to recognize caregiving as essential work deserving of resources, respect, and comprehensive support systems. In-person tickets for this event are currently sold out, but you can still join the Summit and see all panels on November 5 by registering for our livestream option.
From the Caregiver Action Network: What happens when your loved one’s provider says, “Sorry, I can’t share that because of HIPAA”? Our new tool, Navigating HIPAA as a Family Caregiver: Supporting a Loved One with Schizophrenia, helps you understand how HIPAA really works — so you can confidently advocate for your loved one, without fear of overstepping. This resource includes:
- An explainer on HIPAA basics
- Culturally-relevant guidance for Black and immigrant caregivers
- Talking points to use with care teams
- Insights for caregivers across all conditions
Don’t let confusion keep you on the sidelines. Explore the tool now.