The Community Caring Collaborative invites you to a newly developed training on April 17th, Tools for Change: Understanding Substance Use and Supporting Safer Choices, presented by Abby Frutchey, LMSW, LADC, CCS in Science 102, University of Maine Machias, 9 am — 12 Noon.  The practice of harm reduction has evolved significantly, offering a comprehensive approach to creating safer outcomes for individuals, families, and communities. Join us for a 3 hour in-person, partner-wide training that will examine the core principles of harm reduction through interactive methods, including case studies, discussions, and practical applications. Special emphasis will be placed on understanding harm reduction as a vital component of substance use recovery interventions, highlighting how these practices meet people where they are while fostering pathways to improved health and well-being. Participants will also explore foundational substance use and recovery knowledge, including recognizing multiple recovery pathways, reducing stigma through person-first language, and promoting dignity in their work. Participants will gain strategies and tools to effectively integrate these practices into their work with students, families, and community members affected by alcohol and substance use disorders.  Learn more and register here.

• Do you have challenges being active within your sector?
• Are there fears or challenges that keep you from following your interests?
• Do you have professional hurdles? Successes? Strategies?

Cobscook Institute invites you to attend a 2-part Educator Training — Stories of Moral Courage —  on Zoom March 11th and 25th from 3:15 — 4:45 pm (registration closes soon!).  Learn more here.

Family Futures Downeast is on the Road!  Meet FFD staff to answer your questions about the program on March 11th, 11 am — 4 pm at the Pleasant Point Tribal Office in the Entrepreneur Center, and on March 25th, 10 am — 1 pm at Machias Memorial High School Gym.  Download a flyer to share.

Safe Families for Children will be holding two more Lunch N’ Learns on Tuesday, March 11th and Thursday, April 10th from 12-1pm. Learn who we are, what we offer, how to refer, and more.  Download a flyer to share.  For more information, contact Tiffany at Maine@safefamilies.net.

Help Me Grow Maine is a free resource that connects families raising children 0 to 8 yrs of age to resources they may assist with their child and family need. Help Me Grow Maine’s Family Support Specialists work with families statewide via phone, email, and text. Help Me Grow Maine also offers free online access to developmental screenings for young children, so caregivers can easily check on how a child is developing for their age.  The team also provides in person child safety seat inspections and distributions. Please call 207-624-7969 or complete our online referral for support: Help Me Grow Maine Online Referral.  For more information, you can also visit our website.  Help Me Grow Maine will be attending the Machias Fair on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 (Snow date: March 26) 10 am – 1 pm at Machias Memorial High School Gym, 1 Bulldog Lane, Machias. This event is being held by MaineStreet Business Building, Family Futures Downeast, Machias Memorial High School, and Washington County Recovery Friendly Workplace Network, in collaboration with Maine APEX and StartUp Downeast.

Penobscot Theatre Company will bring a three-week performance run of Matinicus: A Lighthouse Play to the Bangor Opera House from March 20 to April 6. The Theatre has tapped Maine Seacoast Mission to be the community partner for the production due to the nonprofit’s longtime ties and service work on the Maine island of Matinicus. Join Matinicus’ First Assessor Laurie Webber and Maine Seacoast Mission’s Director of Island Service Douglas Cornman for a Q&A-style “talkback” event after the matinee performance on Sunday, March 23 at 3 pm. Written by Jenny Connell Davis, the play Matinicus tells the true story of…. Learn more here.  Tickets to see Matinicus are available here at or in the box office Tuesday through Friday, 12 pm to 5 pm at (207) 942-3333.

Learn about this opportunity in the Updates section below.