CCC Wednesday Communique — June 7, 2022

Yesterday, June 7th, was World Caring Day, “an opportunity for everyone to practice caring, which is needed now more than ever. An initiative of the nonprofit organization CaringBridge, the day encourages everyone to appreciate those who care, and to care for them just as much. By sincerely asking how someone’s day went, it shows that you care, and can improve that person’s overall well-being. And in today’s competitive world, having someone who genuinely cares is a blessing.”  Let’s all practice World Caring Day everyday and create a more caring reality!  Learn more here. (Photo courtesy of Pixabay)

Happy Wednesday!

New this week:

Youth Week of Action

The Recovery Action Project and Maine Youth Action Network invite all young people 7-18 to make a recovery in Maine movie with other young people.  Leading up to the Opioid Response Summit, the ME-RAP Youth Organizing Team at the ARRC is organizing a week of action, July 7th — 11th. The team is led by and for youth in the recovery community and supported by adult allies. The youth who are involved are either in recovery themselves, love someone in recovery or active use, or have lost a loved one to overdose. Details and registration here.  Download a flyer to share.


Downeast Pride Weekend

Join the festivities for Downeast Pride 2022. The Downeast Rainbow Alliance invites you to celebrate with an array of activities from June 24th through the 26th.  Art walks, concerts, great food and more.  Details here.


Common Home Food Preservation Ingredients and Equipment

University of Maine Cooperative Extension is offering a new series of monthly webinars about preserving Maine foods starting June 16, from noon–12:45 p.m. “Common Home Food Preservation Ingredients and Equipment” topics include recommended equipment and ingredients for canning and freezing, as well as how to resolve common problems. UMaine Extension instructors will lead each workshop in an interactive format. Registration is required; a $5 donation per session is optional. Register on the event webpage to receive the link and resources. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Kate McCarty, 207-781-6099; kate.mccarty@maine.edu.


Food Preservation Videos & Workshops
University of Maine Cooperative Extension educator Kathy Savoie demonstrates techniques for freezing strawberries in an easy-to-follow video, and how to reduce the sugar content when making strawberry jam in this short video. UMaine Extension is also offering upcoming food preservation workshops, in person or by webinar, to coincide with the arrival of Maine’s seasonal foods, along with the monthly Spoonful Blog featuring recipes and bite-sized food and nutrition information. Extension publications can provide ways to find, grow, use and store in-season fruits and vegetables, including how to preserve these June favorites:

Updated information, and publications to download or order, are available on the Extension website, or by contacting 207-581-3188, 800-287-0274 (in Maine);  extension@maine.edu.


Maine College and Career Success Coordinator 

Maine Adult Education has an opening for a Maine College and Career Success Coordinator (MCCSC).  This person will serve as a liaison between Washington County Adult and Community Education (WCACE), Hub 1. This position will expand the reach of adult education programming for prospective and current WCCC learners as well as coordinate Maine College and Career Access (MCCA) grant activities for Hub 1. The MCCSC Coordinator will continue to build working protocols and relationships with WCCC advisors and staff, advise learners and assist learners with needs specific academic skill areas by providing tutoring and course instruction as needed for their academic success.  Additionally, the MCCSC Coordinator will work with all of Washington County and Hancock County Adult Education Programs to coordinate MCCA Grant activities across the Hub, including addressing professional development needs.  See full job description with application instructions.


Difference between Medicare and Medicaid

Daughter.org invites you to read a blog on the difference between Medicare and Medicaid. As a preview, Medicare is a national program that pays for medical care for all older adults, whereas Medicaid is a state-run program that covers gaps in Medicare coverage, and very importantly, long-term care and is only available to older adults with low incomes or who spend most of their income on care. Navigating these two programs at the same time can be extremely hard – on top of all the other extremely hard things you do. Check out the blog HERE for more information and resources.


12 Books & Movies for Caregivers

Whether you’ve been thrust into the role of caregiver or you’ve eagerly taken it on, you have assumed a great responsibility. You probably know that better than anyone. And let’s be honest: caregiving can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be really, really hard. That’s why finding books and movies that reflect your experience or provide some guidance or maybe even just make you laugh can be such a boon. Check out this list of books and films that might help you remember that you’re not the only person who’s experienced the highs and the lows of caring for someone you love. (From: Parade | Published: May 24, 2022)


NAMI Volunteers

NAMI Maine has volunteers in Washington County who are willing to provide peer support and help with finding local mental health resources. If you live in Washington County and would like to learn about area resources, please contact either Amy (207-726-0608) or Beth (207-214-9793).


NAMI MH Resource Database
NAMI Maine has a new online mental health database on their website. Listing over 250 organizations, the database is searchable by both county and service type This makes it easier for Mainers to find existing mental health resources. If you can’t find what you’re looking for online, the NAMI Maine Helpline is just a phone call away, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Dial 1-800-464-5767 and press 1 for the Helpline.

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