Happy Wednesday!
New this week:
Ready to take the next step toward a brighter future?
Family Futures Downeast is now accepting applications! If you’re a parent dreaming of going to college while building a better life for your family, FFD is here to support you every step of the way. Application Deadline August 12, 2025. Spots are limited—apply today and invest in your future!
Visit familyfuturesdownest.org or call/text 207-812-2005 for more info.
Every Tuesday and Wednesday through August, Maine Seacoast Mission welcomes the public to enjoy its new high- and low-ropes challenge course! Located at the Mission Downeast Campus at 6 Weald Bethel Lane in Cherryfield, the course will be open from 4 to 6 pm on August 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, and 27. This event is free and open to all ages. Helmets, harnesses, and ropes are provided by the Mission as well as course-trained staff. Closed-toe shoes are required to participate. Crocs footwear is not allowed. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Please direct questions to Challenge Course Manager Luke Kremer at lkremer@seacoastmission.org or call (207) 546-4466.
Cobscook Institute is hosting a special online instrument auction featuring items from the collections of Lynn Brown and Russell Warne—beloved friends and long-time supporters of Cobscook. Their musical instruments and equipment were generously bequeathed to us, and many have already found new life in our Monday Night Music sessions, high school classes, kids’ activities, and more. In the spirit of honoring Lynn and Russell’s legacy, we’re opening up the remainder of the collection to the community so these instruments can continue making music and memories. The auction will run from August 15 through August 29, with all proceeds supporting the Lynn Brown and Russell Warne Memorial Fund to benefit Cobscook Experiential Programs. The collection includes instruments from around the world—some even handcrafted—and offers something for everyone: from students and hobbyists to educators and professional musicians. Stay tuned for more details, and mark your calendar. We can’t wait to share this special event with you.
Maine Children’s Alliance is excited to announce that nominations are now open for the 2025 Champions for Children Giraffe Awards! Each year, these special awards honor individuals, and organizations across Maine who “stick out their necks” for children and families—those who go above and beyond to advocate, support, and make a real difference in their communities. Nominate a Champion Today. We need your help to spread the word! Please consider submitting a nomination and sharing this opportunity widely with your networks (family, friends, and professional colleagues). We’re especially eager to recognize a diverse group of champions—those who represent different regions, communities, and demographic groups across Maine. If your nominee’s work centers on advancing racial equity, serving specific geographies, or supporting underrepresented populations, please be sure to highlight that in your nomination. Deadline for nominations: Friday, August 29th. Submit your nomination here: 2025 Champions for Children Giraffe Award Nomination Form. Save the Date of November 18th for the Giraffe Awards at the Maple Hill Conference Center.
Registration is now open for the 2025 Maine Council on Aging Change AGEnt Summit, Stronger Together: Seizing the Opportunity of the Moment, presented by Hannaford Supermarkets on September 19th, 9 am — 3:30 pm at the Bangor Cross Insurance Center. Tickets are $125. Discounts and scholarships are available. Contact Julie Guerette for more information. Keynote speaker: Dr. Delvina Miremadi-Baldino will explore the science and soul of mattering as a critical protective factor that supports mental health, well-being, and human dignity from youth through older adulthood.
The Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center proudly announces the upcoming Down East Living with Cancer Conference, scheduled for Friday, October 3, 2025, 8:30 am — 2 pm, at the Center’s Baileyville location. This free public event will bring together cancer survivors, caregivers, medical professionals, and community advocates for a day of education, storytelling, and resource-sharing uniquely tailored to the needs of rural Down East Maine. This year’s conference theme, “The Informed Care Circle – Hope, Knowledge, and Empowerment for All,” highlights the vital importance of equitable access to care and the power of shared knowledge in the cancer journey. Register here. More information: info@bethwrightcancercenter.org. Please place “Conference” in the subject line of the email. Contact: 207-664-0339.
The Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center is excited to announce the launch of HOPE Floats: Together We Duck Out Cancer, a heartfelt community fundraiser designed to honor and support individuals and families affected by cancer throughout Downeast Maine. This inspiring event invites community members to adopt a rubber duck in honor or memory of a loved one touched by cancer. Each adopted duck will be featured with a tribute tag and participate in races, virtual duck parades, and social media spotlights highlighting personal stories of courage, resilience, and hope. The event aims to raise vital funds to continue offering free cancer patient navigation, transportation assistance, home cooked healing meals, wellness programs and emotional support to those battling cancer and their family members. Community members are encouraged to participate by adopting ducks, sharing stories, volunteering, or sponsoring the event. Details and adoption: adopt your duck(s) today . Or call the Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center at 207-664-0339 and ask to speak with Stacy Foss, or email info@bethwrightcancercenter.org (please include “DUCK” in the subject line).
Discover the tool that’s changing how caregivers understand obesity: Obesity is a complex condition—and supporting someone through it can feel overwhelming. That’s why Caregiver Action Network partnered with Paradigm Medical Communications to launch an interactive, game-based tool designed for caregivers and people living with obesity. This free, fun, and educational activity breaks down the science, shatters common myths, and explores how obesity impacts families, all through short, fast-paced modules. The tool also includes printable resources and expert-approved links to deepen your learning. Start the experience.
Caregiving Resource Hub
As the number of older adults in the U.S. continues to grow, we work to support health centers in strengthening their abilities to connect with informal caregivers. This collection of National Center for Equitable Care for Elders’ resources can assist health centers in supporting the health and well-being of informal caregivers and their loved ones. “With a reported 63 million Americans providing complex care to loved ones, this curated collection of resources can help health center providers and staff to better incorporate informal caregivers into the interprofessional care team. In turn, this can improve health outcomes for both caregivers and the individuals in their care,” said NCECE Senior Program Manager, Arielle Mather.
SAMHSA has released a fact sheet, Taking Care: Promoting Well-being for Recovery and Behavioral Health Care Providers, offering tips and resources for better health and wellbeing among the behavioral health workforce. The fact sheet elevates the importance of organizational support for effective self-care practices for individuals and teams to support the over half of behavioral health care providers reporting they have experienced symptoms of burnout.
- Caregivers Under 40 Circle: 8:30 pm ET: Caregiving Under 40 is a new circle for those navigating the unique challenges of caregiving for aging parents against the backdrop of friends whose healthy and able-bodied parents leave you feeling like they don’t “get it.” It’s a space to talk about the challenges of caregiving for a parent way before you expected to need to. It’s also for the caregivers of the sandwich generation, juggling the pressures of caring for young children and aging parents at the same time. Join Circle Leader Becca Dittrich who started caring for her dad when she was 32. Register here.
- Grief Connection Circle: 10 am ET: No matter the type of grief you are experiencing, join leader Karen Midlo, End-of-Life Doula and Certified Grief Counselor, to share what’s on your mind or in your heart. Register here.
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