Broadreach Family & Community Services
 

May 17, 2012

Mid-Coast Mom Prom

Filed under: Broadreach Events — charlie @ 11:25 am

“Thanks to all of you who attended Mid-Coast Mom Prom or sponsored a mother who otherwise would not have been able to attend.  Your generosity made the event a huge success.  A great time was had by all who were able to participate in this ladies night out for charity! We hope to double our efforts next year so that next year’s chosen charity may benefit as Broadreach has benefitted through our first annual Mid-Coast Mom Prom!”

-Tina Boone Founder of Mid-Coast Mom Prom and Prom Committee Chairperson

April 17, 2012

Full Time Case Manager

Filed under: Career Openings — charlie @ 9:45 am

Location: Waldo and Knox Counties.

Position: Full Time Case Manager.

Job Summary: Working with children, youth and adults.

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in related field, some special education/special needs population experience – LSW preferred, MHRT or eligibility for same required.

Salary Range: Commensurate with experience.

Application Deadline: May 1, 2012

Please forward interest to Bob Garcia (bgarcia@brmaine.org), 338-2200 ext 117.

March 30, 2012

Thinking About Alcohol Awareness Month

Filed under: Prevention Services — charlie @ 10:46 am

     Recently I was sitting in a hallway at Searsport Elementary School participating in their Health and Wellness Fair and trying to engage with parents about helping their kids stay alcohol and drug free. Several parents said something like “I’m glad I don’t have teenagers yet!” Unfortunately, they had not reviewed the results from the latest version of the Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey (MIYHS);  I have. I shared with them that when asked about their first use of alcohol, “other than a few sips”, 37% of Waldo County middle school students said that happened before age 11. So as I watched these often quite tiny 4th and 5th graders walk by I had to agree that, like their parents, I was surprised that they would have access to alcohol and the interest to try.  I shouldn’t be. I know the data and I have talked with focus groups of young people. I remember that one 10th grader said that “you know by the time you are in like second grade whether you are the kind of kid who will smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol”.

His peers agreed with that. Parents – is your kid that “kind of kid”?

       In the same MIYHS survey, 27% of Waldo County middle school students reported using marijuana before age 11.

        It is important to recognize that some children early on form the intention of “using” and wait for an opportunity to try. Parents are the greatest protective force to help their children stay alcohol and drug free. Many parental  heartaches can be relieved when parents commit  to protecting  their child from this early drug experience. Whether you believe or not the idea of what may be a gateway drug, when I have spoken with those therapists who treat adult addicts, and interviewed jail inmates about their drug use, it is nearly guaranteed that early use of substances (including tobacco)  is a pathway to addiction. Research shows that youth who begin drinking alcohol prior to age 15 are 4 times more likely to develop an adult substance use disorder. The National Institute on Drug Abuse defines addiction as an “adolescent developmental disorder” recognizing this pathway.

        The Partnership At Drugfree.Org has recently released a guide for parents citing research-supported parenting practices that will help parents help their kids stay drug and alcohol free.

  1.  Build a warm and supportive relationship with your child
  2. Be a good role-model when it comes to drinking, taking medicine and handling stress
  3. Know your child’s risk-level
  4. Know your child’s friends
  5. Monitor, supervise and set boundaries
  6. Have ongoing conversations and provide information about drugs and alcohol. (note – not a one time or one way talk)

The full guide and a lot more information can be found at www.drugfree.org

       Parents can also consider enrolling in a course planned to begin April 24th at the Morse School in Brooks. Active Parenting Now focuses on parents of children aged 5 to 12. Call me at 338-2200 ext 109 for more information. The RSU 3 District will be holding a Community Forum on Underage Drinking and other drug use on Wednesday April 25th; call 948-6136 x6811 for more information.

Patrick Walsh
Healthy Waldo County
Broadreach Family & Community Services
338-2200 ext 109

March 23, 2012

March 31st: Party Progressively – Two Parties, Once Price

Filed under: Uncategorized — Joelle @ 4:50 pm

Youthlinks’ third annual I Pity The Fool fundraising dance is gearing up to be the most awesome yet.  Hot Pink Flannel is teaming up with Youthlinks to create a two stop progressive party.  On March 31st start your night at 7:00 pm Yvette Torres Fine Art on Winter Street in Rockland for great music and ‘80s fun.  The Nikki Hunt Band is back with ‘80s tunes and her lighted hula- hoops.  There will be contests and great prizes, so dress for success.  We’ll even provide a moustache making station to get you ready for stop number 2:  Hot Pink Flannel’s ‘Stashe Bash at Amalfi on the Water.  Your $10 I Pity the Fool admission fee goes to support the free after-school of Youthlinks and includes admission to the ‘Stashe Bash!  To sweeten the deal, Hot Pink Flannel will be raffling off a ‘Stashe Bashket at the ‘Stashe Bash and the only way to enter is with your I Pity the Fool ticket.

Not convinced that the ‘80s and mustaches go together?  Just think Hulk Hogan, Magnum P.I. or Mr. Belvedere.  Got it?

I Pity the Fool is sponsored by Café Miranda, Yvette Torres Fine Art, RHEAL Day Spa, Hot Pink Flannel and Machias Savings Bank.  Raffle and contest prizes have been generously donated by many local businesses.  See the complete list at  http://youthlinksonline.org/events.htm#sponsors.

Tickets are available at the door or by calling Youthlinks at 594-2221.
For more information find us on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/groups/ipitythefool/.

Youthlinks is a program of Broadreach Family & Community Services located in Rockland that provides youth with community service, leadership and enrichment opportunities. These programs help youth learn skills, build self-esteem, cultivate social responsibility, develop leadership abilities and connect to their peers, to adult mentors, and to their communities. Youthlinks is funded primarily by state grants and the generous donations of individuals, businesses, and foundations. All Youthlinks programs are free for participating youth. For more information, visit www.youthlinksonline.org, or call 207-594-2221.

March 14, 2012

Date set for 2nd annual Run-A-Hound 5k to benefit Youthlinks

Filed under: Uncategorized — Joelle @ 1:46 pm

By Scott Browning

 

Youthlinks invites runners and walkers, big dogs and little dogs, adults and kids to the second annual Run-A-Hound 5k.

 The Run-A-Hound 5k race will start and finish at Youthlinks, located at 420 Broadway in Rockland, on Saturday, April 14th at 9:30am. Participants are asked to park at OHS-East. There will be door prizes, complimentary snacks for all participants, as well as awards for top runner and dog pair and top runner. Registration fees are $10 for Adults with a dog, $15 for Adults without a dog, and $8 for Students with or without a dog. Pre-Registration is greatly appreciated and is available on active.com or by stopping the Youthlinks office.

Youthlinks, a program of Broadreach Family and Community Services, serves over 500 Mid-Coast youth a year through free after-school programs and summer camp. Many of the programs include service-learning and animals. The 5k is modeled on one of Youthlinks’ popular service programs, Run-A-Hound, in which high school students volunteer with local animal shelters by taking dogs out for a run to exercise and train them.  All proceeds from the race will support Youthlinks after-school programs.

Event and prize sponsors are being sought.  Businesses wishing to participate can contact Scott Browning at Youthlinks 207-594-2221 or email sbrowning@brmaine.org.

Youthlinks is a program of Broadreach Family & Community Services located in Rockland that provides youth with community service, leadership and enrichment opportunities. These programs help youth learn skills, build self-esteem, cultivate social responsibility, develop leadership abilities and connect to their peers, to adult mentors, and to their communities.

 Youthlinks is funded primarily by state grants and the generous donations of individuals, businesses, and foundations. All Youthlinks programs are free for participating youth. For more information, visit www.youthlinksonline.org, or call 207-594-2221.

March 9, 2012

The Mid-Coast Mom Prom for Moms and those who Mother

Filed under: Broadreach Events — charlie @ 9:58 am

The Mid-Coast Mom Prom for Moms and those who Mother will be held: Saturday, May 12th from 7:30 to 11:30 at the Captain A. V. Nickels Inn in Searsport Maine. The $30 tickets include some beverages, a corsage, and heavy h’orderves.

The proceeds will benefit Broadreach Family & Community Services. All you moms who sent those little ones off to their day cares and four year old programs, here is your chance to say thanks and have a fun night out.

There will be a  DJ, Cash Bar, and prom pictures. We will crown a prom queen and have a super tacky dress contest. It is sure to be a super time for a super cause! Come join us for this ladies’ night out for charity. We need you!

For Tickets

  • Call Sandy Billington at 594-8474 Ext 301
  • for credit card sales Mail a Check to Broadreach, 5 Stephenson Lane ,Belfast, Maine 04915
  • OR pay though PayPal at http://broadreachmaine.org/momprom

February 23, 2012

Youthlinks Seeks Sponsors for Third Annual I Pity the Fool Fundraising Dance

Filed under: Broadreach Events,Uncategorized — Joelle @ 2:39 pm
The Nikki Hunt Band is back by popular demand for the 3rd Annual I Pity the Fool '80s Dance on March 31st

Photo courtesy of Jesse Stuart 2011

Youthlinks third annual I Pity The Fool fundraising dance is gearing up to be the most awesome yet. Café Miranda is once again co-sponsoring the ‘80s themed event that will support the free after-school programs of Youthlinks. Live music will be provided by the Nikki Hunt Band, back by popular demand from last year’s event. This year’s dance is on Saturday March 31 at an exciting new location, the beautiful downtown gallery Yvette Torres Fine Art.

Event and prize sponsors are being sought. Last year over a dozen great prizes were awarded in categories such as best outfit and best hair. Businesses wishing to participate can contact Joelle Albury at Youthlinks 207-594-2221 or email jalbury@brmaine.org.

Tickets for the event will go on sale in March. For more information find us on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/groups/ipitythefool/.

Youthlinks is a program of Broadreach Family & Community Services located in Rockland that provides youth with community service, leadership and enrichment opportunities. These programs help youth learn skills, build self-esteem, cultivate social responsibility, develop leadership abilities and connect to their peers, to adult mentors, and to their communities. Youthlinks is funded primarily by state grants and the generous donations of individuals, businesses, and foundations. All Youthlinks programs are free for participating youth. For more information, visit www.youthlinksonline.org, or call 207-594-2221.

February 17, 2012

Active Parenting Now classes in Rockland beginning March 8th

Filed under: Uncategorized — Joelle @ 3:09 pm

Most parents want their children to be respectful; to follow family rules; to help out at home; to learn from their mistakes; and to succeed at school. The Active Parenting Now program offered by Broadreach Family & Community Services supports parents of children aged 5 to 12 to help their children meet those goals. Active Parenting Now classes will begin in Rockland on Thursday March 8th at the Rockland District Middle School. Classes will be held from 6 pm to 8 pm. This program offers 6 two-hour sessions and has been shown to improve parents’ confidence and ability. This program is part of a scheduled series of classes offered by Broadreach in Waldo and Knox Counties.

Active Parenting Now is a video-based education program targeted to parents of 5 to 12-year-olds who want to improve their parenting skills. Class material promotes mutual respect among family members within a democratically run family. The program teaches parents how to raise a child by using encouragement, building the child’s self-esteem, and creating a relationship with the child based upon active listening, honest communication, and problem solving. It also teaches parents to use natural and logical consequences to reduce irresponsible and unacceptable behaviors.

These parent classes will be open to all parents and child care will be provided during class. Because of grant funds awarded by the Maine Children’s Trust, there will be no cost for parents who want to participate.

Broadreach provides a variety of services to young parents and their children in Waldo and Knox Counties. Broadreach services have been making a critical difference in the lives of area children and families since 1983. Each year over 2,000 families with children benefit from the agency’s quality education and support programs. Broadreach has over a quarter of century expertise in delivering parenting education, family support, early childhood education and family literacy programming. Other provided parent education options include Kids First, Guiding Good Choices, and the Nurturing Fathers Program.

If you would like to learn how to register for Active Parenting Now, or learn more about our parent education offerings, please call Patrick Walsh at 207-338-2200 ext 109 or contact by e-mail pwalsh@brmaine.org.

February 14, 2012

Active Parenting Now

Filed under: Prevention Services — charlie @ 9:21 am

Most parents want their children to be respectful; to follow family rules; to help out at home; to learn from their mistakes; and to succeed at school. The Active Parenting Now program offered by Broadreach Family & Community Services supports parents of children aged 5 to 12 to help their children meet those goals. Active Parenting Now classes will begin in Belfast on Tuesday February 28th at the Captain Albert Stevens School. Classes will be held from 6 pm to 8 pm. This program offers 6 two-hour sessions and has been shown to improve parents’ confidence and ability. This is program is part of a scheduled series of classes offered by Broadreach in Waldo and Knox Counties.

Active Parenting Now is a video-based education program targeted to parents of 5 to 12-year-olds who want to improve their parenting skills. Class material promotes mutual respect among family members within a democratically run family. The program teaches parents how to raise a child by using encouragement, building the child’s self-esteem, and creating a relationship with the child based upon active listening, honest communication, and problem solving. It also teaches parents to use natural and logical consequences to reduce irresponsible and unacceptable behaviors.

These parent classes will be open to all parents and child care will be provided during class. Because of grant funds awarded by the Maine Children’s Trust, there will be no cost for parents who want to participate.

Broadreach provides a variety of services to young parents and their children in Waldo and Knox Counties. Broadreach services have been making a critical difference in the lives of area children and families since 1983. Each year over 2,000 families with children benefit from the agency’s quality education and support programs. Broadreach has over a quarter of century expertise in delivering parenting education, family support, early childhood education and family literacy programming. Other provided parent education options include Kids First, Guiding Good Choices, and the Nurturing Fathers Program.

If you would like to learn how to register for Active Parenting Now, or learn more about our parent education offerings, please call Patrick Walsh at 207-338-2200 ext 109 or e-mail pwalsh@brmaine.org.

February 8, 2012

Blubber Burger Anyone?

Filed under: Uncategorized — Joelle @ 2:59 pm

Article written by Youthlinks Program Manager Scott Browning

Chef Nancy Wood from Amalfi on the Water teaches RASA students how to make baked sweet potato fries during the Cooking Matters program.

Local middle school students make “blubber burgers” in an after-school program. This “burger” represents the total grams of fat in a chain restaurant meal of mozzarella sticks, ribs, and a shake.

Rockland After-School Alliance (RASA) participants are cooking up delicious dishes each week all while having fun learning about healthy food choices in the Cooking Matters program.

Another session of Cooking Matters will be offered in RASA’s spring session which begins March 6th. Middle School Students can sign up for this and other RASA programs by visiting www.youthlinksonline.org/RASA.

Program participants recently put their math skills to work with University of Maine Cooperative Extension Eat Well Nutrition Associate Beth Chamberlain. The project was to select their favorite fast food restaurant meals and add up the total grams of fat. Students converted grams into teaspoons and measured it out in shortening to make a sandwich. Of course the sandwiches weren’t eaten, but they provided plenty to make the pre-teens think twice about their choices when ordering from the drive through. Each week students learn how to make healthy meals at home. In this class, the menu included Baked Sweet Potato Fries and Baked Flaked Chicken.

Each week, the participants work with Chef/Restaurant Owner Nancy Wood, from Amalfi on the Water, to create delicious healthy meals. The participants then go home with all the ingredients to cook for their families. Cooking Matters is a program of Share Our Strength and teaches skills such as knife and food safety along with nutrition education such as understanding the USDA’s “MyPlate” and how to read nutrition labels. The program is sponsored on a national level by ConAgra Foods and Walmart. The Good Shepherd Food Bank and Hannaford sponsor the program in Maine and have helped bring the program to RASA. Beth Chamberlain and Nancy Wood volunteer their time each week to plan and teach the program alongside Youthlinks Program Manager, Scott Browning.

RASA is a program of Youthlinks offered in collaboration with RSU 13 supported by a 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant from the Maine Department of Education. Youthlinks is a program of Broadreach Family & Community Services, a non-profit organization that has been serving the children and families of Waldo and Knox Counties since 1983. For more information concerning the Rockland After-School Alliance, please Youthlinks: 594-2221 or visit www.youthlinksonline.org/RASA.

February 3, 2012

PLEASE take a moment to support BROADREACH

Filed under: Related News — charlie @ 2:35 pm

Dear Loyal and Devoted Friends of Broadreach:

Attached you will find a link to the Community Matters web page.  Now, I know you are busy and are tired of getting junk email.  This is not JUNK email.  This is a chance for you to show your support for Broadreach with just a click of the button.

Bangor Savings Bank Foundation will be giving away a total of $100,000 to 68 local non-profit organizations.   At the bottom of this page you will see a place to click to get a ballot.  Broadreach is not listed on the ballot this year( we are working to get added to the list next year)but, you can write-in Broadreach.  On the ballot in the Mid-Coast list, add Broadreach on the other line and check the box.  The top twenty write-in winners will each get a $1000.00!

PLEASE take a moment to support BROADREACH …our staff, volunteers and Board Members work hard every day to support so many children, youth, adults and families in our communities…

This is how YOU can help….PASS THE WORD TO FAMILY, FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS AND EVERYONE TO VOTE FOR BROADREACH!

Thanks for voting TODAY!

Vote Here!

RASA Participants Build It

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , — Joelle @ 9:37 am

RASA program participants Sam Ward, Sumir Mahonen, and Prem Ruklittikul try their hand at designing free-standing towers as part of the “Build It” after-school program. “Build It” gives students a chance to be engineers as they create buildings, bridges, boats and more. Visit www.youthlinksonline.org/RASA to learn more about the upcoming spring session of RASA programming, including February Break Week Camp, which will include a whole new set of building projects!

December 19, 2011

RASA Medieval Challenge Game Blends Science, History, Fun

Filed under: Uncategorized — Joelle @ 2:47 pm

Students in Conquer the Castle, a Rockland After-School Alliance (RASA) club, don’t quite act like a typical middle school student. Enter the lair of the program, and you may be introduced to valiant ‘knights’ like the Swan Warrior, Esmerelda of Star Kingdom, Vallicis the Dark, or Steve the Viking. You will find the allied forces of Conquer the Castle working tirelessly to construct bridges, towers, or catapults to topple to reign of the tyrannical Queen Brunhilde, also known as Youthlinks Program Manager Caitlin Schick. Decorated in a hand designed coat of arms, each knight in the program is challenged to design and build mini-feats of science every program session in hopes of advancing closer to the castle of Brunhilde to set the inhabitants of her Kingdom Valkyrie free from her crushing rule.

Conquer the Castle strives to stimulate the imaginations of its students with Medieval fantasy, scientific inquiry and engineering strategy with every challenge. The program operates on a captivating legend of an evil queen, and in order to be victorious, students must work together in tightly timed challenges to propel their knights and allies forward on a game board. Some challenges required students to build a bridge made only of spaghetti and tape capable of holding a set weight, or creating a marshmallow catapult capable of hitting a target fifteen feet away. With every successful accomplishment, the knights travel further through the mythical Kingdom of Valkyrie, closer to meeting up with the Queen for their final challenge. Every student must think quickly, work cooperatively, and strategize effectively in order to advance.

Conquer the castle is one of over 20 RASA clubs offered at Rockland District Middle School this fall. The winter session begins in January and registration is now underway.

RASA is a program of Youthlinks offered in collaboration with RSU 13 supported by a 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant from the Maine Department of Education. Youthlinks is a program of Broadreach Family & Community Services, a non-profit organization that has been serving the children and families of Waldo and Knox Counties since 1983. For more information concerning the Rockland After-School Alliance, please call Amie Hutchison, RASA Project Coordinator, at Youthlinks: 594-2221. For more information on Broadreach programs and services visit www.broadreachmaine.org

Waterfall Arts and Youthlinks Collaborate to Offer Free After-School Program

Filed under: Uncategorized — Joelle @ 2:42 pm

Waterfall Arts and Youthlinks are combining forces this winter to provide a free after-school arts program where students will learn to transform what many might consider trash into functional and aesthetically pleasing works of art. In the “Eco-Craft” program, students will give new life to junk mail, old board games, t-shirts, bubble wrap and aluminum cans by creating duct tape wallets, journals, jewelry, sculptures, and more. Participants will work both individually and collaboratively on projects, with the program culminating in the design of a group piece done in cardboard for submission to Waterfall’s upcoming “Corrugation Nation” show.

The Eco-Craft group will meet Thursdays 2:45-5pm, from January 12th to February 16th at Waterfall Arts in Belfast. This program is free and open to all students in Waldo County ages 12-15. For more information or to register a student, contact Ashley at 975-3878.

Youthlinks is a program of Broadreach Family & Community Services located in Rockland that provides community service, leadership and enrichment opportunities to all youth ages 11-17 from anywhere in mid-coast Maine. These programs help youth learn skills, build self-esteem, cultivate social responsibility, develop leadership abilities and connect to their peers, to adult mentors, and to their communities. Youthlinks is funded primarily by state grants and the generous donations of individuals, businesses, and foundations.

All Youthlinks programs are free for participating youth. For more information, visit www.youthlinksonline.org, or call 207-594-2221.
Founded in 2000, Waterfall Arts is a donor supported, nonprofit, contemporary art center with locations in Belfast and Montville Maine. The organization’s mission is to create community in harmony with nature through the transformative power of the arts. Waterfall Arts offers classes, lectures, residencies and other educational events for all ages as well as onsite studio and gallery space. Waterfall Arts Belfast is located at 256 High Street. Visit waterfallarts.org or call 207 338-2222 for more information.

December 15, 2011

RASA Medieval Challenge Game Blends Science, History, Fun

Filed under: Uncategorized — Joelle @ 5:16 pm

Students in Conquer the Castle, a Rockland After-School Alliance (RASA) club, don’t quite act like a typical middle school student. Enter the lair of the program, and you may be introduced to valiant ‘knights’ like the Swan Warrior, Esmerelda of Star Kingdom, Vallicis the Dark, or Steve the Viking. You will find the allied forces of Conquer the Castle working tirelessly to construct bridges, towers, or catapults to topple to reign of the tyrannical Queen Brunhilde, also known as Youthlinks Program Manager Caitlin Schick. Decorated in a hand designed coat of arms, each knight in the program is challenged to design and build mini-feats of science every program session in hopes of advancing closer to the castle of Brunhilde to set the inhabitants of her Kingdom Valkyrie free from her crushing rule.
Conquer the Castle strives to stimulate the imaginations of its students with Medieval fantasy, scientific inquiry and engineering strategy with every challenge. The program operates on a captivating legend of an evil queen, and in order to be victorious, students must work together in tightly timed challenges to propel their knights and allies forward on a game board. Some challenges required students to build a bridge made only of spaghetti and tape capable of holding a set weight, or creating a marshmallow catapult capable of hitting a target fifteen feet away. With every successful accomplishment, the knights travel further through the mythical Kingdom of Valkyrie, closer to meeting up with the Queen for their final challenge. Every student must think quickly, work cooperatively, and strategize effectively in order to advance.
Conquer the castle is one of over 20 RASA clubs offered at Rockland District Middle School this fall. The winter session begins in January and registration is now underway.
RASA is a program of Youthlinks offered in collaboration with RSU 13 supported by a 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant from the Maine Department of Education. Youthlinks is a program of Broadreach Family & Community Services, a non-profit organization that has been serving the children and families of Waldo and Knox Counties since 1983. For more information concerning the Rockland After-School Alliance, please call Amie Hutchison, RASA Project Coordinator, at Youthlinks: 594-2221. For more information on Broadreach programs and services visit www.broadreachmaine.org

November 2, 2011

Rockland Glee Club Takes the Stage

Filed under: Uncategorized — Joelle @ 4:35 pm

Photo by Hilary Flagg

Rockland District Middle School’s fledgling Glee Club has continued to flourish this year.  Youthlinks, through the Rockland After-School Alliance, offered its third session of Glee this fall, and the response from students has been overwhelmingly positive.  A group of fifteen dedicated middle students brought their love of music to weekly rehearsals, and last Friday afternoon they had the chance to show off the product of all their hard work; during the RASA end-of-session showcase, the Glee club took the stage to perform 3 song and dance routines for an audience of friends and family.
Included in the performance were the following songs and featured soloists:  Firework, featuring Makaila Hickey, Lizzy Clark, and Effie Monroe; Thriller / Heads Will Roll, featuring Delia Saastamoinen, Mckaylee Morris, Alex O’Brien, Tegan Simmons, Caleb Bellen, and Anna Poisson; and Loser Like Me, featuring Zoe Goff, Gracie Vicente, Nick Blastow, and Anna Poisson.
Returning participant Delia Saastamoinen says that Glee Club continues to be fun because there are always new opportunities to try songs and audition for solos:  “Glee Club is so fun and a lot of my friends are in it,” she says, “Anyone can audition for a solo in any song, so everyone has a chance to get a special part.”  Others, including Tegan Simmons, have said they stick with the program because “The song choices are awesome!  I love to sing and dance, and we always have fun.”  Mckaylee Morris admitted that she has some stage fright, but says that Glee has helped her to stop “being afraid to sing in front of people.”  Others echo that sentiment, saying that they like challenging themselves to sing on-stage, learn new lyrics, and test their voices.
The Glee Club’s recent performance caps off the fall session, but November 7th marks the start of another Gleeful 6 weeks!  Rockland District Middle School students are encouraged to sign up for the program as soon as possible–spaces in the club fill up fast!  Youthlinks, a program of Broadreach Family & Community Services, is part of the Rockland After-School Alliance (RASA) and provides community service, leadership and enrichment opportunities to all youth ages 11-17 from anywhere in mid-coast Maine. RASA programs help youth learn skills, build self-esteem, cultivate social responsibility, develop leadership abilities and connect to their peers, to adult mentors, and to their communities. Youthlinks is funded primarily by state grants and the generous donations of individuals, businesses, and foundations. All programs are free for participating youth. For more information, visit www.youthlinksonline.org, or call 207-594-2221.

October 25, 2011

RASA Students and Community Members Dance ‘Thriller’ to Set World Record

Filed under: Broadreach Events,Teens — Joelle @ 11:15 am

Forget about the catatonic undead; the zombies are alive and dancing at Rockland District Middle School.  As part of the Rockland Afterschool Alliance, several students have been preparing their ghoulish moves for International Thrill the World Day.  The annual global tribute to Michael Jackson’s epic dance video ‘Thriller’, Thrill the World attempts to set a world record for the largest simultaneous ‘Thriller’ dance.  In 2009, 22,571 people in 264 cities from 33 countries danced “Thriller” at exactly the same time, setting a new record.  Zombie crews from Rockland and countries near and far emerge from their eerie resting spots to dance the posthumous King of Pop’s choreography at the same time in hopes of setting a new world record this year.

RASA students have been studying every week with Youthlinks instructor Caitlin Schick to learn ‘Thriller’ moves.  The choreography for the event is uniquely structured to offer an easy to learn version of the dance, pairing words and rhythms with physical movements.  Students continue to practice and are preparing their zombie attire for their dancing Z-day.  The infectious moves have even snagged some local community members to join the zombie squadron for the official dance. The more the scarier! Keep your eyeballs peeled -Youthlinks hopes to make Thrill The World an annual event for both students and adults alike in the Midcoast. For more information about the international event, visit www.thrilltheworld.com.

The official event will take place October 29that Harbor Park in Rockland. The dance will begin exactly at 10 am to coordinate with all other international dances.  Cautious onlookers are encouraged to watch if they dare. 

Youthlinks is a program of Broadreach Family & Community Services located in Rockland that provides community service, leadership and enrichment opportunities to youth ages 11-17 in mid-coast Maine. These programs help youth learn skills, build self-esteem, cultivate social responsibility, develop leadership abilities and connect to their peers, to adult mentors, and to their communities. Youthlinks is funded by grants and the generous donations of individuals and businesses. All programs are free for participating youth.

RASA is a collaborative program of Youthlinks and RSU 13 supported by a 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant from the Maine Department of Education. For more information contact Youthlinks Program Director Amie Hutchison at ahutchison@brmaine.org or visit www.youthlinksonline.org/RASA

October 18, 2011

Press Release –Active Parenting Now

Filed under: Prevention Services — charlie @ 3:45 pm

October 18, 2011

Broadreach Family & Community Services has announced that Active Parenting Now classes will begin in Searsport on Tuesday November 1st at the Searsport Elementary School. Classes will be held from 6 pm to 8 pm. This program offers 6 two-hour sessions and has been shown to improve parents’ confidence and ability. This is the seventh scheduled series of classes offered by Broadreach in Waldo and Knox Counties.

Active Parenting Now is a video-based education program targeted to parents of 5 to 12-year-olds who want to improve their parenting skills. Class material promotes mutual respect among family members within a democratically run family. The program teaches parents how to raise a child by using encouragement, building the child’s self-esteem, and creating a relationship with the child based upon active listening, honest communication, and problem solving. It also teaches parents to use natural and logical consequences to reduce irresponsible and unacceptable behaviors.

These parent classes will be open to all parents and child care will be provided during class. Because of grant funds awarded by the Maine Children’s Trust, there will be no cost for parents who want to participate.

Broadreach provides a variety of services to young parents and their children in Waldo and Knox Counties. Broadreach services have been making a critical difference in the lives of area children and families since 1983.  Each year over 2000 families with children benefit from the agency’s quality education and support programs.  Broadreach has over a quarter of century expertise in delivering parenting education, family support, early childhood education and family literacy programming. Other provided parent education options include Kids First, Guiding Good Choices, and the Nurturing Fathers Program.

If you would like to learn how to register for Active Parenting Now, or learn more about our parent education offerings, please call Patrick Walsh at 207-338-2200 ext 109 or e-mail pwalsh@brmaine.org.

October 14, 2011

Fabulous Food of the Mid-Coast was a huge success!

Filed under: Broadreach Events — charlie @ 4:22 pm

Last Thursday evening, Point Lookout was full to capacity with the wonderful tastes, sights and sounds afforded by the annual Broadreach
fundraiser, Fabulous Food of the Mid-Coast.  Hundreds of attendees sampled the finest food and beverages the mid-coast has to offer, while bidding on over 100 unique items donated by local businesses and community members.  The wonderful food was accompanied by good cheer and the sparkling music of Ando Anderson and Alan Chrichton, and the entertaining auctioneer Eric Sanders.

Kate Quinn Finlay, BroadreachExecutive Director, announced, “This year’s event was a huge success.  Thank you to the hundreds of volunteers,
staff, businesses and community members who came out to support Broadreach.  The proceeds from this annual event directly support programs that benefit children, youth and families in mid-coast communities from Waldoboro to Winterport.”

Broadreach wishes to thank the fine food and beverageproviders who participated, including:
the Amalfi on the Water,  Belfast Co-Op Café, Cappy’s Chowder House, Creative Catering, Darby’s ,The Dessert Divas, Ducktrap River of Maine, Fresh of Camden, Marshall Wharf Brewing, Moran’s Hideaway Diner, Papa J’s & the Lobster Bar, Point Lookout Resort, Ralphs’ Café, Rollie’s Bar and Grill, Starlight Custom Cakes, State of Maine Cheese, the Whale’s Tooth Pub and the Waterfront Restaurant.

Also to be thanked are the event’s sponsors.  Lead sponsors were Elm Street Printing & Graphics, Point Lookout Resort & Conference Center; and Village Soup/ the Republican Journal and Herald Gazette. Supporting sponsors were Damariscotta Bank & Trust. Key Bank, FMC
Biopolymer, Camden National Bank and WInsMor Garage Door.

Too numerous to name here, but to be strongly  thanked, are the hundreds of local businesses and community members who donated to the Silent and Live Auction, as well as the many, many of staff, board and community members who volunteered their time to make the event a success.

For more information, about the many programs and services of Broadreach Family & Community Services, visit us at www.BRMaine.org
or call 338-2200 and speak with our Executive Director, Kate Quinn Finlay.

October 13, 2011

October Open Houses at Broadreach

Filed under: Broadreach Events — charlie @ 1:49 pm

Please come join us as we start a new program year and welcome our new Executive Director, Kate Quinn Finlay. Drop in for a few minutes or stay awhile; see what our programs are up to and enjoy some local refreshments and good company.

Tues, Oct 18     4:30 to 6 PM    MCCS     272 Park Street, Rockland

Weds, Oct 19   4:30 to 6 PM     Unity Early Childhood Center, School Street, Unity

Thurs, Oct 20  4:30 to 6 PM     Broadreach Mental Health Center, 8 Stephenson Lane, Belfast

Join us for fresh baked muffins, homemade applesauce and apple cider!

September 27, 2011

Fabulous Food of the Midcoast “is what’s for dinner” this October 6th!

Filed under: Uncategorized — Deb @ 12:36 pm

Broadreach Family & Community Services reports that the list of participating food and beverage providers has grown to include Fresh of Camden, Marshall Wharf Brewing and Rollie’s Bar and Grill of Belfast, and State of Maine Cheese of Rockport, bringing to 18 the number of businesses who will be providing food and drink to attendees at the event at Point Lookout on Thursday October 6th beginning at 5:30 pm.

Broadreach Executive Director Kate Quinn Finlay reports that her staff is “thankful and humbled by the community support we have received for this important fundraising event.” Event Coordinator Patrick Walsh says that he has been “overwhelmed with the quality and range of 125 items donated for the Live and Silent Auctions”. A number of local artists have donated original work and limited edition prints to be included in a Silent Art Auction. Another Silent Auction will provide for shopping and travel packages. Love a train, bid on passes to Amtrak from Portland to Boston and return, or a round trip from Rockland to Brunswick, or ride the historic Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad right in the locomotive or the caboose between Belfast and Brooks. Cruise on the Schooner Surprise, on the Monhegan Boat or in a kayak with Solomon the cat on True’s Pond. Or how about books on the history of Maine’s Windjammer Fleet or cookbooks of windjammer recipes? With the winning bid you can go on a delivery run in an 18 wheeler with Grindle Point Lobster Co. from here to Florida or points in between. How about an aerial photograph of your home or as a gift to someone in their new home. Maybe you want a complete collection of Nancy Drew Mysteries volumes 1 to 64? Dinner and a movie for four anyone? The auction will also feature massages, Cranial Sacral therapy or acupuncture, hair care, fuel, kitchen items, rabies vaccinations for your pet and green fees for your golfer. Handmade objects like beautiful heirloom quilts, knitted throws, pottery and jewelry. A signed photo of Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester, 4 tickets to the Sea Dogs and a discount on lodging at the South Portland Comfort Inn for a getaway.

Walsh says that “today’s surprise was the donation of a Pirate Party from the Pirates of the Dark Rose. For a child’s party or another event, consider including the Pirates. These auctions promise to be a lot of fun and, though it sounds like a cliché, there will be something for everyone.”

Kate Quinn Finlay says “ A beautiful location, great food, good music, and a chance to bid on some terrific items, it is going to be amazing.”

For ticket information contact Patrick Walsh at 338-2200 ext 109 or pwalsh@brmaine.org.

Broadreach Family & Community Services has been serving children and families in Midcoast Maine since 1983.

September 20, 2011

Child and Adult Care Food Program Income Eligibility Guidelines

Filed under: Related News — charlie @ 11:44 am

September 15, 2011

Broadreach Family & Community Services of 5 Stephenson Lane Belfast, Maine 207-338-2200 announces its participation in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program. Meals are available at no separate charge to all enrolled participants without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.

For further information on participating centers, contact the above institution.

Child and Adult Care Food Program Income Eligibility Guidelines

Effective from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012

Eligibility Scale For “FREE” Meals

Link to Eligibilty Guidelines

September 14, 2011

Where Else Can You Sample Foods From Fine Midcoast Restaurants All In One Beautiful Setting?

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , — Deb @ 11:43 am

The Fabulous Food of the Midcoast of course! One of Midcoast Maine’s most delicious fundraisers is really taking shape. With 14 restaurants and food vendors committed and more signing up, this year’s event promises to provide a unique dining experience. It is planned for Thursday October 6th at beautiful Point Lookout Resort and Conference Center Atlantic Highway, Northport. Amalfi On The Water, Belfast Coop Café, Cappy’s Chowder House, Creative Catering, Dessert Divas, Ducktrap River of Maine, Moran’s Hideaway Diner, Papa J’s & The Lobster Bar, Point Lookout’s kitchen, Ralph’s Café, the Restaurant at Penobscot Bay Inn, Starlight Custom Cakes, Waterfront Restaurant and the Whales’s Tooth Pub and Restaurant are all planning to share their food specialties with attendees at the event. Additional food vendors who will take part will be announced soon.

Planners have been excited about the art, craft items, experience opportunities, products, services and gift certificates that have been donated by local business friends and supporters. The Live Auction conducted by Belfast City Councilor Eric Sanders promises to be a great time. There is a planned Silent Auction of art from a number of local artists. Another Silent Auction will feature many great items.

Belfast Summer Nights impresario and local vaudeville cast member Ando Anderson will be providing music during the dinner hour with his sideman Jeff Densmore.

Live Auction items will include a handmade traditional quilt by Joan Herrick, a cable stitch throw from Patricia St. Andre, four one-day Disney Theme Park passes, a steel exterior door and a Velux Ventilating Window, a trip with Grindle Point Lobster on a delivery in a comfortable 18-wheeler, a Nook e-reader, a trip to Portland for a Sea Dogs game, lodging and a meal and there is much more. How about 100 gallons of fuel oil or two cords of wood, 3 hours of one-on-one tutoring for your student, a $200 + gift certificate for the Waldo County YMCA for membership or program expenses. More items are being added all the time and will be viewable shortly on the event webpage at www.ffom.brmaine.org.

Tickets can be purchased for $25 until October 1st and tickets at the door will cost $30. With a ticket you can sample the foods of your choice, enjoy the music and bid on some great items. Broadreach is grateful to Elm Street Printing and Graphics, Point Lookout Resort and Conference Center and VillageSoup for major financial support. Other supporters include Damariscotta Bank & Trust, Key Bank, FMC Biopolymer Corporation, Camden National Bank and WinsMor Garage Door Co.

Questions and ticket requests can be directed to Patrick Walsh at 338-2200 ext 109 or pwalsh@brmaine.org

September 2, 2011

Fabulous Food of the Midcoast

Filed under: Broadreach Events — charlie @ 11:38 am

Planning is well underway for the annual fundraising event for Broadreach Family & Community Services known as Fabulous Food of the Midcoast. Scheduled for the evening of Thursday October 6th at Point Lookout in Northport, the event follows the format of earlier fundraisers that incorporate the donated food specialties of local restaurants and caterers along with Live and Silent auctions and music. For a single advance ticket price of $25, attendees will get to sample foods from some of their favorite places and learn about some new eateries that they may wish to visit.  The list of participating food vendors is growing and it is expected that 20 or more will be supporting the event. The menu will feature everything from appetizers to desserts served in a buffet setting.

The proceeds from this annual event help to support programs that benefit children, youth and families in communities from Winterport to Waldoboro, nearly 2,000 people in the past year.

A Live Auction of goods and services will be conducted by Belfast City Councilor Eric Sanders. A Silent Auction will be held that will feature donated items from many local businesses, crafters and Broadreach supporters and friends. New this year will be a Silent Auction of Art donated by local artists that will be featured in an art gallery located on the Erickson Hall veranda. Musical guests will be announced later.

Broadreach is grateful for the sponsorship of Elm Street Printing & Graphics, VillageSoup, Point Lookout Resort & Conference Center, Damariscotta Bank & Trust, Key Bank, FMC Biopolymer, Camden National Bank and WinsMor Garage Door Company.

For more information, to request tickets, or to offer a donation for the auction, contact Patrick Walsh at 338-2200 ext 109, send email to ffom@brmaine.org to learn of participating food vendors and auction items.

August 22, 2011

Now Enrolling!

Filed under: Preschool — Tags: , , — Deb @ 1:53 pm

Mid-Coast Children’s Services, a program of Broadreach Family and Community Services, located at 272 Park Street in Rockland is currently accepting enrollment applications for our full day and part day inclusive preschool programs. Our full day classroom is available for
children ages 3 to 5, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Early School 1 classroom is
enrolling children ages 2.5 to 3.5 for two to four days per week,
Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Early School 2 classroom is
Enrolling children ages 3.5 – 5 for two to four days per week,
Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Our popular “Lunch Bunch” is available to children in either
program from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

For more information, please call Sandy Billington at 594-8474, x. 301.

August 5, 2011

Maine Woman wins Dream Vacation

Filed under: Teens — charlie @ 9:12 am

Press Release                                                                                                                                     Camden July 2011

Susan McChesney of Phippsburg, Maine is the lucky winner of the  all-inclusive four-day Maine Dream Vacation Raffle.   The raffle was sponsored by the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce and Broadreach Family & Community Services to benefit Youthlinks, a community service and skills enrichment program for area youth.

The winner was officially announced at a drawing ceremony held at the Camden Harbour Inn.  “We are so happy to be able to give Ms. McChesney this phenomenal dream vacation package,” Amie Hutchison, Youthlinks Program Director said, “And we are so very grateful to the Chamber and area businesses for their incredibly open-hearted support of Youthlinks and this raffle.”

Raffle ticket sales were limited to 500.  Tickets were purchased by residents from 24 states- as far away as Alaska and California, though many locals bought tickets as well.  “We want to congratulate Ms. McChesney and thank everyone who purchased tickets to the raffle,” said Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber Executive Director, Dan Bookham.  “September is a great time to visit the Camden and Rockland area.  I can’t think of a better way to have a few days of rejuvenating fun and help local youth at the same time.”

Ms. McChesney and her guest will enjoy a fantastic array of top-notch lodging, fine meals and wonderful activities.   They will spend three nights at the AAA four-diamond Camden Harbour Inn, and enjoy a daily gourmet breakfast, snack, and evening turndown service. Each night they will have dinner at a different nationally acclaimed local restaurant: Camden’s Hartstone Inn, Rockland’s Primo, and Natalie’s, at the Camden Harbor Inn. The prize also includes a $500 gift card provided by Machias Savings Bank, which the winner may use as she pleases.  Ms. McChesney will receive a large Red Claw tote from Sea Bags to take home,  stuffed with local goodies.

Ms. McChesney will choose two of the following enticing activities to round out her vacation: spa services at Beauty Mark Spa,
Camden; a biplane tour over Penobscot Bay, courtesy of the Owls Head Transportation Museum; a round of golf at the oceanfront Samoset
Resort, Rockport; a day sail and picnic aboard the Schooner Olad, Camden; back stage tour of the

Drawing the winning ticket

Farnsworth Art Museum, Rockland;  private winemaker’s tour with lunch of Cellardoor Winery, Lincolnville; personal cooking class with Chef Kerry Altiero of Café Miranda, Rockland; personal hike in the Camden Hills with Registered Maine Guide and editor of Down East magazine Paul Doiron and birder/trails expert Kristin Lindquist of Coastal Mountains Land Trust; and a portrait sitting by award-winning photographer Amy Wilton.

The prize package had also included round-trip airline tickets and a rental car- but since Susan lives close by,  she was happy to donate those options back to support Youthlinks programs.  For more information about Youthlinks, call them at (207) 594-2221, visit their website at www.youthlinksonline.org, or check them out on Facebook.

Photo:  “Drawing the Winning Ticket”   Amie Hutchison- Director, Youthlinks; Raymond Brunyanszki – Co-Owner, Camden Harbour Inn and Natalie’s Restaurant; Dan Bookham- Executive Director, Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce

July 28, 2011

Home, School & Community Support Coordinator

Filed under: Uncategorized — charlie @ 1:40 pm

Home, School & Community Support Coordinator (RCS-Section 28)

Immediate Full Time Opening: Private non-profit agency providing behavioral health services for children, and youth in Knox and Waldo Counties. Oversight of daily operations of, home, school and community support program for children and youth. Responsible for supervision of community and school based employees, writing treatments plans, providing school and community based Behavioral Health Professional Trainings.

Applicant must have a Bachelors Degree in Education, Social Work or related field. Experience working with children/youth with developmental delay, experience in supervision/management, ability to become trained to provide School and Community based BHP trainings. Candidates with an LCPC or LCSW are encouraged to apply.

Salary commensurate with experience.

Please send resume and cover letter by August  2011

Kate Quinn Finlay
Broadreach Family & Community Services
5 Stephenson Lane,
Belfast, ME 04915

Rockland Rotary Makes Grants to Two Local Youth Programs

Filed under: Preschool,Teens — charlie @ 1:16 pm

Youthlinks and Mid-Coast Children’s Services, two programs of Broadreach Family & Community Services, each received a grant of $1000 from the Rockland Rotary.  The mission of Rotary is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders. In support of this mission, the Rockland Rotary awarded funds to support the provision of high-quality services for Rockland-area youth.  Rotary funds will support Youthlinks free summer camp program, and  Mid-Coast Children’s Services early intervention services for young children with special needs.

Youthlinks’ mission is to empower youth to commit to themselves and their communities, broaden their horizons, and acquire healthy life skills through focused enrichment programs and meaningful volunteer work.   Youthlinks offers a diverse menu of in-school, after-school, and summer programs to engage a broad base of youth with varying interests. Their programs rely on creating mutually beneficial relationships with other area non-profit agencies. Through these opportunities, youth are exposed to new experiences, develop new knowledge and
skills and develop pride in the service they give to their community.

Mid-Coast Children’s Services (MCCS) provides Rockland area families with high-quality education, intervention programs.  The programs provide individualized learning opportunities for all  young children,while specializing in serving those with special learning and developmental needs. MCCS early childhood classrooms are nationally accredited and taught by state-certified early childhood teachers.

To find out more about the programs of Youthlinks, MCCS  and Broadreach Family & Community Services, visit us at www.brmaine.org and www.youthlinksonline.org , or call 338-2200.

July 24, 2011

New PreK Program for 4 Year Olds at Monroe Elementary School

Filed under: Uncategorized — Deb @ 9:13 pm

RSU#3 and Broadreach Family & Community Services are excited to announce that they will offer a Pre Kindergarten classroom at the Monroe Elementary School beginning September 6, 2011. This free program will be for preschool aged children who will be four years old by October 15, 2011 and residing in Monroe or Jackson. The Pre K classroom will be offered three days this school year, Tuesday through Thursday, and will follow the RSU #3 school calendar. The children enrolled in this program will experience a wide variety of activities taught by certified teachers relating to reading, writing and language preparing them to be successful learners in kindergarten. Children will also receive breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack each day for a minimal fee.
For more information and or to register for the Monroe PreK, please contact Dalene Sheldon at Broadreach , 338-2200 ext. 107 or 1877-733-2200.

July 12, 2011

Substitute Teacher for Early Childhood Classrooms

Filed under: Career Openings — charlie @ 1:28 pm

Broadreach Family & Community Services is a private, non- profit agency nurturing children and families in mid-coast Maine since 1983.  Broadreach is currently accepting resumes for the following career opportunities in late August 2011.

Substitute Teacher for Early Childhood Classrooms
Location: Belfast, Searsport, Swanville and Unity
Classrooms: Early Childhood Inclusive Program, Four Year Old Program
Part-time hourly position
Job Summary: Assist the classroom staff in delivering early childhood programming
Qualifications: High School Diploma or GED and background check
Salary Range: competitive hourly wage
Application Deadline: Ongoing

 Please send a cover letter with a resume and three letters of reference to:

Mary  Bailey, ECE Programs Director
Broadreach Family & Community Services
5 Stephenson Lane
Belfast, Maine 04915

July 7, 2011

Wow! Last chance to win Maine Dream Vacation – drawing

Filed under: Broadreach Events — charlie @ 2:07 pm

Donate $50 to Youthlinks at www.mainedreamvacation.com , and if you’re lucky, you may win a Maine Dream Vacation, an all-inclusive four-day dream vacation in Camden, Maine, valued at $6,000. Five-hundred tickets will be sold to benefit Youthlinks, a community service program for mid-coast youth. The winning ticket will be drawn July 15, and the vacation must be taken Sept. 13-16.

There’s plenty of  small print you should read before entering, but this is one heckuva deal featuring some of Mid-Coast Maine’s premier properties and activities. And September is usually the nicest month of the year.

The Maine Dream Vacation includes:

• round-trip airfare for two to Boston, connecting to a Cape Air flight to Rockland
• rental car
• three nights at the AAA four-diamond Camden Harbour Inn, including gourmet breakfast daily, featuring freshly baked specialties prepared by the pastry chef; complimentary coffee, tea, and snacks; evening turndown service; a welcome glass of sparkling Prosecco.
• Dinner on Tuesday, Sept. 13,  at the Hartstone Inn, in Camden: cocktails at 6:30 followed by a five-course dinner at 7 p.m.
• Dinner on Wednesday, Sept. 14,  at Primo, in Rockland, owned by James Beard award-winning chef Melissa Kelly.
• Dinner on Thursday, Sept. 15,  at Natalie’s, in your host hotel, the Camden Harbor Inn.
• $500 in spending money on a pre-paid debit card from Machias Savings Bank In addition, it includes one of the following services-for-two daily (and good luck choosing, all are quite enticing):

• spa services at Beauty Mark Spa, Camden
• biplane tour over Penobscot Bay, courtesy of the Owls Head Transportation Museum
• a round of golf at the oceanfront Samoset Resort, Rockport
• a day sail and picnic aboard the Schooner Olad, Camden
• back stage tour of the Farnsworth Art Museum, Rockland
• private winemaker’s tour with lunch of Cellardoor Winery,Lincolnville
• personal cooking class with Chef Kerry Altiero of Café Miranda, Rockland
• personal hike in the Camden Hills with Registered Maine Guide and editor of Down East magazine Paul Doiron and birder/trails expert Kristin Lindquist of Coastal Mountains Land Trust.

And finally,

• Large Red Claw tote from Sea Bags, made from recycled sails

Why not make your $50 donation to Youthlinks and get a complementary raffle ticket
– help a GREAT cause, and you might just draw the winning number.

June 23, 2011

Grant Supports Youthlinks Programs

Filed under: Teens — Tags: , , , — charlie @ 2:57 pm

Youthlinks, a program of Broadreach Family & Community Services, recently received a grant of $10,000 from the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation to support a variety of programs that benefit area youth and animals.  A common goal for most Youthlinks’ animal-related programming is to empower youth to advocate for responsible pet ownership and the humane treatment of animals, while a creating a generation of life-long community-minded volunteers.

The Elmina B. Sewall Foundation was established by Mrs., Elmina Brewster Sewall of Kennebunk, Maine in 1982.  The Foundation strives to enhance the quality of life for those in Maine through the conservation of the natural environment and support for the well-being of animals and humans.  The Foundation seeks to inspire the generosity of others and empower those who share its vision to work together for healthy, vibrant communities.

Youthlinks’ mission is to empower youth to commit to themselves and their communities, broaden their horizons, and acquire healthy life skills through focused enrichment programs and meaningful volunteer work.   Youthlinks offers a diverse menu of in-school, after-school, and summer programs to engage a broad base of youth with varying interests. Their programs rely on creating mutually beneficial relationships with other area non-profit agencies. Through these opportunities, youth are exposed to new experiences, develop new knowledge and skills and develop pride in the service they give to their community.

Animal-related programs that partner with local animal shelters are consistently among the most popular offered. The very popular Run-A-Hound Outing Club is an example of a successful and ambitious program.  Last year, the club provided 66 area youth with a program that integrated regular recreational running with a community service animal care program.  The club meets weekly for trail and road runs. Each youth is paired with a homeless dog needing exercise and companionship. This dynamic pairing introduces youth to the benefits of a running practice while developing their skills as caregivers to needy canine companions.  The participating shelter dogs experience increased fitness, socialization, and chances for adoption.

Youthlinks has many exciting animal-related programs planned for its free summer camp and after-school programs.  There are still a limited number of camp slots still available for summer 2011 programming. To find out more about Youthlinks programs, call 594-2221 or visit www.youthlinksonline.org.

New Literacy Outreach Stations for Waldo County

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , — Deb @ 10:11 am

Literacy Volunteers of Waldo County (LVWC), a program of Broadreach Family & Community Services, has received a grant from the Waldo County Fund of the Maine Community Foundation to increase self-sufficiency and stability for area residents with literacy challenges. Broadreach will work with community partners to establish at least three Literacy Outreach Stations at local food pantries and soup kitchens.

Traditionally, LVWC tutors and adult learners make a six-month or longer intention to work together. While this schedule works for some in the community, there are other potential volunteers and service recipients who are not ready to make such a commitment but who might be interested in participating in a less intensive manner. The new Literacy Outreach Clinics will provide LVWC with the opportunity to
• create a greater presence in the community,
• serve more individuals and recruit more volunteers,
• reach potential learners at locations where they are already regularly accessing services, and
• create stronger partnerships with existing community service organizations.

LVWC Literacy Outreach Stations will provide benefits to recipients of the services, to those who volunteer their time and efforts to a worthy cause, as well as to the organizations that host them. Additionally, the project will raise community awareness about the issues of adult literacy challenges, increase awareness of available services by challenged community members, increase referrals for local service providers, increase participation in on-going literacy programming at LVWC and increase volunteerism in local communities.

LVWC is seeking community volunteers to provide literacy assistance, information and referrals to individuals at the Literacy Stations Clinics. A new volunteer training session is planned for later this summer. For more information about serving as a tutor for LVWC, or about the other programs of Broadreach Family and Community Services, please contact Patrick Walsh at 338-2200 Ext 109 or pwalsh@brmaine.org. Additional information about Broadreach is available at its website, www.BRMAINE.org and on Facebook.

Preschoolers in Unity to Enjoy Shady Play Thanks to Local Students

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , — Deb @ 9:11 am

This summer, thanks to grants from local youth groups, preschoolers in Unity will enjoy improved outdoor play areas. Broadreach Family & Community Services was awarded two grants from the Jumpstart Our Youth (JOY) programs at Mt. View Junior High School and Mt. View High School. The JOY grant program is a collaborative project of Jobs for Maine Graduates and the Unity Foundation, designed to teach students about the critical roles that nonprofits play in meeting overwhelming community needs. Mt. View students spent several months reviewing grant proposals from area non-profits , and selected Broadreach was one of the award recipients.

Each year, the Broadreach Unity Early Childhood Program provides rich early childhood learning programs for seventy young children at its new location at the old Unity Elementary School. Broadreach will use the JOY grant funds to construct a shade structure to protect children from overexposure to damaging ultraviolet rays. Most children accumulate between 50% and 80% of their lifetime sun exposure before age 18, and it is proven that sun exposure over time is related to the risk of developing skin cancer.

Broadreach serves children, teens, adults and families across Waldo, Knox and Lincoln Counties. Our programs include early childhood education, community and enrichment programs for teens, case management services for children and adults, confidential literacy tutoring, parent education and much more.

The Unity Early Childhood Program is currently taking applications for fall 2011 programming. For more information about Broadreach’s many educational and support programs for children and families, please visit www.BRMaine.org or call 338-2200.

June 21, 2011

New Program for Waldoboro Families with Teens

Filed under: Teens,Uncategorized — charlie @ 12:57 pm

Rockland,
June 21, 2011

The Youthlinks Program of Broadreach Family & Community Services has received a grant from the Maine Children’s Trust to expand the innovative model parent education program, Staying Connected with Your Teen (SCT), to youth and families in Lincoln County, Maine.  The SCT training program has already been very effective in decreasing conflict in  families with teens in Knox and Waldo County.  Youthlinks is accepting applications for SCT, and will begin to offer the  program again in September 2011.  Youthlinks SCT is open to families with teens throughout  Waldo, Knox and now Lincoln County at no charge to participants.  Enrolled families work at their own pace, in the privacy of their own homes, to  complete a series of exercises and reflections that strengthen  communication, cooperation and family management skills.

Youthlinks provides in-school, after-school and summer service-based skills-building programs to youth across Waldo, Knox and Lincoln Counties.   For more information about Youthlinks program for youth or families, please call 594-2221 or visit www.youthlinksonlline.org .

 

June 14, 2011

Touch-A-Truck

Filed under: Broadreach Events,Preschool — charlie @ 12:22 pm

Broadreach Family & Community Services would like to invite you to a Touch-A-Truck fundraiser, a day of fun for the whole family. Children and families are invited to explore trucks of all sorts (firetruck, dump trucks, big rigs and more), get their face painted, play in a bounce house and much more. Suggested donations of $5 for a family of two and $10 for a family of four. All donations are greatly appreciated. We hope to see you there!

Save the date: July 30th,2011 10am-1pm.
Place: Troy Howard Middle School

June 5, 2011

Mid Coast Children’s Services Now Accepting Summer and Fall Enrollments

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , — Deb @ 7:56 am

Mid-Coast Children’s Services is in the midst of planning our 28th year of summer and fall programming. Our qualified staff has been hard at work designing a variety of early childhood education options that will enrich a child’s early years providing a language and literacy enriched, nurturing learning environment with certified teachers.

This summer beginning June 6th, we are offering our regular extended day program (childcare). Our hours of operation will be Monday thru Friday from 7:30AM to 5:00 PM. In addition, a special six-week Early School summer program (July 11th – August 18th) for children ages 3 – 5 will be offered. This program will be Monday through Thursday from 8:30 – 11:30 AM with the option of our ever popular “Lunch Bunch” until 12:30 if needed. This is a wonderful opportunity for your child to maintain his /her skills that he/she achieved over the past months, have fun, and make the transition to kindergarten smoother.

In addition, we are asking for your help and support by spreading the word that MCCS is now accepting applications for our fall programming beginning September 6th. This new school year, we will be offering the regular Early School morning sessions (8:30 to 11:30AM) for 2 ½ years olds (Tuesday and Thursdays); and for 3 years old on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. We are excited to share that we will be bringing back the 4 year olds programming that will focus on school readiness skills for preparation for entering kindergarten. The 4 year old classroom will be offered Monday through Thursday, 8:30 to 11:30 AM.
For those families needing extended days coverage for childcare services, we will continue our same hours of operation in the afternoon as this past year.

As always, we’re happy to answer any questions and/or provide more information. You can contact Sandy Billington at 594-8474, ext 301 or via email sbillington@brmaine.org, or Mary Bailey MCCS Director at 594-8474 ext.304, email mbailey@brmaine.org.

Ruth Southworth to Retire in September

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , — Deb @ 6:55 am

We’re in the conference room looking out the wide picture window toward Penobscot Bay. CEO Ruth Southworth, along with a few others, erupts into a spontaneous round of Broadway tunes as everyone settles in for the weekly staff meeting at Broadreach Family & Community Services. I look around the table. People are smiling and joking. Some folks are laughing so hard tears roll down their cheeks, the camaraderie palpable.
After everyone has arrived, Ruth calls the meeting to order and turns to more serious discourse. She leads us through the agenda with her usual wit, visionary thinking, and confidence. She has this knack for making you feel like you’re irreplaceable—that your ideas are truly important and valued; in a word, deeply respected. She also knows when to probe for answers, how to nudge ideas forward and how to elicit ownership from this group and demand excellence. As I sit here at the conference table, I feel grateful to be part of a service community where employees are sincerely valued not only for their skill and experience, but also for who they are as individuals.
Indeed, what people do here, how they do it and who they are have been continuously nurtured and valued by this exceptional woman who has led Broadreach for over 24 years. And it has clearly been a labor of love. “As far back as I can remember I’ve wanted to impact the lives of children…and it’s been an incredible journey for me.”
In 1967, Ruth opened her own nursery school in her home. She did that until she began to work for Head Start in l973. “I was teacher aide number 2…low man on the totem pole. They were very gracious about helping me and I worked my way up the career ladder. One day I got my courage up and started looking at the University of Maine Catalog, thinking maybe I could take a college course. I was scared to death—I was just sure I’d fail. I took the plunge and enrolled. On my first day of class, I was leaning over my notebook and taking notes so hard I literally fell out of my chair. My professor looked at me with panic in his face. I figured things could only go up from there!”
Later in her career, Ruth earned her Masters Degree in Special Education and Leadership from the University of Maine. “Wonderful program. I learned way beyond what I thought I’d learn and it’s served me well. It helped me further refine my vision for Broadreach and honed my leadership skills as well.”
All together, Ruth has worked as a leader in the field of early education for 44 years; first as the owner of her nursery school, to the Assistant Director at Head Start, to the CEO of Waldo County Child Development Services (CDS) and Waldo County Preschool & Family Services (WCPFS). In l992, she resigned from CDS as their CEO and devoted her full attention to the growth and vitality of WCPFS, now known as Broadreach.
Ruth initiated and spearheaded the creation of Broadreach as a private, non-profit agency from day one. “WCPFS began its solo voyage by depositing $5 in a bank account, hired 3 half-time employees and one half-time CEO. To say the agency started out with few resources would be very accurate.” Fortunately, determination and passion were matched with a commitment to offer the best possible services to midcoast families. Core values, founded on integrity and principles, have never wavered, regardless of the challenges.
“There’s no doubt about it at all. I’ve grown personally and professionally and I learned that I could make a difference in the lives of children and families. I have tried to hang on to my integrity. At the end of the day, I hope at least one person will say, ‘Wow, she had the right stuff.’ ”
The truth is that more than just one person will tell you she “has the right stuff”. Ask any employee at Broadreach about their experience working here and they will invariably speak about Ruth with great affection and respect. Her steady, burning love for the agency she helped to found, her unflagging desire to further its mission, and her loyal commitment to its workers have earned her a permanent spot in the hearts of teachers, social workers, staff, parents and children at Broadreach and beyond.
“The quality of people at Broadreach is just exceptional. It’s been an honor to be a part of it. I just can’t take sole credit for what this agency has accomplished. Sure, the leadership is important. But it’s also very important whom you surround yourself with. Weak leaders surround themselves with weak people so they appear strong. Strong leaders surround themselves with strong people. I surely hope I fall into the latter category.”
How has she done it? “I’ve always been careful to not model administration-through-intimidation, but rather, administration-through-appreciation. I very, very carefully choose the people I want to work here. Sometimes I’ll conduct an interview for 2 or 3 hours…just to get to know the people and who they really are. Very rarely have we chosen poorly.”
Ruth says her parents taught her many things, but right at the top of the list was the importance of a sense of humor. “That’s one reason people think it’s fun to work at Broadreach! When you don’t have the extra money to boost your spirits, humor just keeps our boat sitting way up in the water. We take our jobs extremely seriously, without a doubt. Everyone gives over 100 percent every day, and we do it while remembering how important it is to laugh. We have that little twinkle in our eyes.”
Besides bringing a terrific sense of humor to her demanding work at Broadreach, Ruth has also earned a reputation as an exceptional community leader and tireless advocate for children and families throughout the State of Maine. Over the years, programs and agencies have approached her to collaborate and, in many cases, to merge with Broadreach. “We’ve had 5 mergers: The Teen Parent Program, The Child and Parent Council, Midcoast Children’s Services, Youthlinks, and Literacy Volunteers of Waldo County. We’ve had a lot more than that ask, but for one reason or another it didn’t work out.”
Ruth is pleased to note that in this very busy day and age there are still people out there who recognize and affirm quality service. From Former First Lady Barbara Bush to Sen. Susan Collins, to former DOE commissioner Susan Gendron, the accolades tell the same story: Broadreach is a leader in its field in this state.
Indeed, Ruth speaks of Broadreach employees as a well trained, exceptional bunch. “Our staff members truly do wonderful work,” she says. She shares a story about a child who came to Broadreach with very limited language. The teacher worked hard to infuse language and literacy into every part of the curriculum, often showing famous paintings to children to elicit language skills and promote vocabulary. One day this teacher showed a painting of a man with what looked like dirty clothes and hands. “This little fellow pipes up and says, ‘Those aren’t dirty hands, those are working hands…I think…I think he works on trains…he works really hard.’ I mean this is a child who had very little language when he came to us. Now his introspection and language skills are far beyond anyone’s expectations!” Ruth pauses to look out the window in a sigh of appreciation. “This is the type of programming we are running here. Staff who reach children and families. They truly care. We had a child with special needs in one of our classrooms who just graduated from High School as valedictorian. A high quality early childhood experience is just invaluable. Our Broadreach employees are like diamonds in the sand. But you have to pick the right people first. Then you believe in them, support them and respect them.”
Ruth has taken great care to nurture this respect, enacting strong measures of professionalism at Broadreach to ensure high levels of programming. She insisted on raising the bar in classrooms by requiring that all teachers hold 4-year degrees and certification. She has forged effective collaborations with major partners and fostered the creation of 22 preschool classrooms in Waldo and Knox Counties. Under her expert leadership Broadreach acquired 5 Broadreach buildings, expanded its workforce to almost 100, merged with 5 agencies, opened a Mental Health Center, and acquired two federally-funded Early Reading First Grants. She has presided over an agency that has been awarded the Best of the Best Preschool for 3 years in a row, as well as receiving the Greater Belfast Chamber of Commerce Non-Profit of the Year Award for 2010.
During the difficult economic times our country has seen in the last 3 to 4 years, the work of a CEO is not just critical: it’s the hedge against disaster. Ruth has had to make hard decisions, prevail upon legislators, and rely on relationships forged over time to help. Through it all, however, the agency has not only survived, but also maintained the highest ethical stance and reputation for excellence in programming. At a time when many non-profit organizations have had to close their doors, Ruth has stood as firm as any sea captain on deck in rough waters, guiding the ship of Broadreach with grace and courage through some treacherous shoals and very narrow places.
“It hasn’t been an easy voyage. It’s been rough, but we’ve made it through. Our secret is that we band together and we’re genuinely good folks who have a strong work ethic and a real passion for providing the services that we do.”
Ruth Southworth’s passion has never burned out. Her dedication, her 50 to 60-hour-work weeks, and her high intensity commitment have paid off. She leaves an agency that has come to exemplify excellence, is committed to high quality services of all kinds, and leads the field in early childhood education. Former State Senator Carol Weston calls her “…an inspirational leader who brings an authenticity to everything she does.”
And what would Ruth like to say about her tenure at Broadreach as she goes forward into the next chapter of her life?
“I want to stress that this work has come right from my heart. I want community members to know what a jewel they have in their own backyard. That jewel is Broadreach. It’s not because of me as it has been a true group effort. It’s been an honor and a privilege to have worked here.”
Broadreach is the lengthened shadow of Ruth Southworth. Her leadership launched the little dory of an idea called Waldo County Preschool many years ago in a tiny office in Belfast, Maine. Her care and courage transformed it into the stately sailing ship now aptly named Broadreach. And it flourishes in the lovely white building overlooking Penobscot Bay where it is now located.
Ruth has piloted her ship with skill and courage, greased its ways with wit and humor, bailed when she needed to bail, reefed n sails when they needed to be trimmed, and when the wind was right she let them all the way out. In hard times especially, she has stayed the course. The quote on Ruth’s office wall says it all:
“In the midst of winter I learned that there was in me an invincible summer.”
-Camus.
In September, Ruth Southworth will retire. She hopes that her legacy, in some small way, might live on. It will. Ruth Southworth will be missed more than anyone at Broadreach can properly express.

May 24, 2011

Free Summer Camp

Filed under: Teens — charlie @ 11:09 am

Rockland After-School Alliance (RASA) is gearing up for its third summer of
free day camp for Rockland-area youth. There are exciting program offerings this
year as well as schedule changes.

Programs will begin July 5th and are open to current Rockland
District Middle School students. We will welcome out of area
5th-8th grade students on a space-available basis. Camps
will run at RDMS five days a week through August 12th. Participants
sign up for one week at a time. Campers may choose one week of camp, or all six.
Youth also have a choice of a morning or afternoon session (but not both).
Morning camp will run from 9:00am to 12:00pm and the afternoon session will
begin at 1:00pm and end at 4:00pm. “We are very excited about this new
schedule,” says Club Coordinator Christy Monroe. “Having morning and afternoon
sessions will allow us to accommodate families’ schedules more easily, while
allowing us to serve twice as many kids.”

Encourage you camper to pick a track—or focus area—for each week of camp
based on their interests. Bobcat kids will play field games and sports. Fox kids
will engage in creative art activities. Moose kids will spend their time
volunteering in the community. Visit www.youthlinksonline.org/RASA
for complete program descriptions and registration information.

RASA, a 21st Century Community Learning Center Program, is a
partnership between Youthlinks, a program of Broadreach Family & Community
Services, and RSU 13.

May 13, 2011

Youthlinks teaches responsibility and teamwork to middle school students

Filed under: Teens — charlie @ 8:06 pm

For four years, Youthlinks has been teaching local middle schools classes
using a curriculum called Lions Quest, a program based on the promotion the
positive potential of all youth, character development, personal responsibility,
and prevention.  This year, Youthlinks Program Manager Caitlin Schick has been
utilizing Lions Quest with fifth graders in Joanna Duke’s health classes at
Rockland District Middle School.  Together, the classes have been looking at
issues like productive teamwork, demonstrating positive listening skills, and
promoting a safe classroom environment.

 

For most young students, the experience of going to school presents many more
weighty challenges than just tests and homework.  Students have to integrate a
litany of social and emotional information on a daily basis while concurrently
trying to focus on what is being offered in the classroom. Navigating social
expectations which dictate behavior and conformity, learning on how to
communicate with teachers and follow school rules, dealing with bullying or peer
pressure, and trying to process hardships or stress happening at home all take
considerable attention away from academics.  However, just like mathematics or
literacy, core social and emotional skills like positive decision  making,
setting goals, processing stress, and working cooperatively with others hold
lifelong value.  These latter skills help students develop ways to cope with the
everyday intensity of being an adolescent, allowing them a little more mental
energy to tackle their studies.

 

Schick puts emphasis on these life lessons by making them fun and engaging.
Classes begin with a group game requiring teamwork to get students ready to
participate in class lessons. Working together in a fun way allows students to
drop their guard a little with one another and be receptive to listening and
cooperation.  Lions Quest classes differ from most academic classes because as
Schick tells students “You are already the expert in your life.  I am not here
to teach you about you. Instead, I will be asking for you to think about the
things you experience, and we will work together on developing skills that help
us make good choices around the challenges we face every day.”  There are no
wrong answers, and everyone is asked to participate in discussions using first
person experiences and thoughts.  Because so much of Lions Quest classes are
routed in personal sharing, Schick emphasizes the importance of creating a safe
classroom together as a platform for this different type of group learning.  As
one student summarized, “[In Lions Quest] we learned how to work with each other
and not argue, and the importance of teamwork and having fun together.”

 

The ultimate goal of Lions Quest and Youthlinks alike is to create a
community that supports the development of capable, and caring young people with
strong character.  Starting in the classroom by strengthening social skills and
emotional resiliency not only helps students thrive in their personal lives but
their academic lives as well.  If students can learn to value themselves, feel
respected by peers, and see adults as allies, the hope is that this combination
carries beyond Lions Quest and into the rest of their lives.

 

Youthlinks is a program of Broadreach Family & Community Services located
in Rockland that provides community service, leadership and enrichment
opportunities to youth ages 11-17 in mid-coast Maine. These programs help youth
learn skills, build self-esteem, cultivate social responsibility, develop
leadership abilities and connect to their peers, to adult mentors, and to their
communities. Youthlinks is funded by grants and the generous donations of
individuals and businesses. All programs are free for participating youth.

Youthlinks Afterschool Programs Teach Civic Responsibility

Filed under: Teens — charlie @ 8:03 pm

There are lots of extracurricular activities that students can choose do
after school, from organized sports to piano lessons to babysitting, but this
winter six students at Troy Howard Middle School chose to spend their Thursdays
engaging in community service, through Youthlinks’ Community Service Club. Over
the course of nine weeks, the 6th and 7th graders found a
variety of ways to meaningfully engage  with other members of their local
community and the wider circle of the world. The students’ first mission in the
club was to make a meal for the St. Francis Soup Kitchen located in the Belfast
Community Center. After a fieldtrip to the soup kitchen the students spent 2
hours making an enormous quantity of meatballs and pasta sauce for a pasta
dinner. In the weeks following, they baked cat and dog treats and delivered them
to the Camden-Rockport Animal Rescue League, where they spent the afternoon
socializing with cats and walking dogs awaiting adoption. It was a particularly
cold day and while walking a very small shivering dog, it was touching to
witness the students’ empathy as they scooped her up and took turns tucking her
in their jackets until they were able to get back to the shelter. The students
also made recycled crayons and drew coloring pages for a preschool classroom at
Broadreach’s all-inclusive preschool program, visiting the next week to lead a
coloring activity and spend some time acting as mentors to younger kids. In
addition, participants made thank-you cards for soldiers serving overseas and a
large pot of soup for an empty bowl dinner fundraiser. For the last meeting the
group broadened the scope of their service by discussing the recent natural
disaster in Japan and folding paper cranes for the Students Rebuild project,
which donated $2 to reconstruction in Japan for every paper crane made and
mailed to their organization.
Youthlinks’ spring program just got underway as well—another
community-service oriented program called “Play With Your Food.” This program is
a collaboration between Youthlinks and Broadreach’s all-inclusive preschool
program located at Mill Lane in Belfast. Youthlinks participants from Troy
Howard are meeting each week to plan healthy, creative snacks for preschoolers
and an activity to accompany the snack. In their first week together, the
students had a great time teaching the preschoolers how to make a fruit-face
snack. The objective is for both the younger and older kids to see that eating
healthy foods can in fact be tasty and fun. So far, the students seem to
agree.

The Play With Your Food program is currently meeting Thursdays 2:30-5pm,
through June 9th.  All Youthlinks programs are free and open to all
students ages 12-15. For more information or to register a student, contact
Ashley at 975-3878.
Youthlinks is a program of Broadreach Family & Community Services located
in Rockland that provides youth with community service, leadership and
enrichment opportunities. These programs help youth learn skills, build
self-esteem, cultivate social responsibility, develop leadership abilities and
connect to their peers, to adult mentors, and to their communities. Youthlinks
is funded primarily by state grants and the generous donations of individuals,
businesses, and foundations. All Youthlinks programs are free for participating
youth. For more information, visit www.youthlinksonline.org, or call 207-594-2221
207-594-2221.

April 26, 2011

Runners, walkers enjoy dog days of spring?

Filed under: Broadreach Events,Teens — charlie @ 9:40 am

A participate in Saturday's first annual Youthlinks' Run-A-Hound 5-kilometer run/walk in Rockland stretches with two of his four-legged friends prior to the event.

Rockland — The city streets literally went to the dogs Saturday morning. Well, the pavement also was filled with runners and walkers of all ages, but furry, four-legged canines certainly took center stage in a unique 5-kilometer event.

On a cold, blustery early-spring day, dogs and their owners ran and walked the streets and sidewalks of Rockland as Youthlinks sponsored its first Run-A-Hound 5-Kilometer Fundraising Race.

Many breeds of dogs were represented in the event, with perhaps the most humorous comment of the day coming from Karen Veit who stated, while just starting her walk along the 3.1-mile course, “Kind of strange pairing a greyhound with a non-runner.”

But the dogs of all sizes and shapes were with owners of all shapes, sizes and ages. One wondered who might get tired trekking across the course first — dog or owner.

There also were plenty of fathers and mothers pushing strollers with young children inside. In fact, Peter Scheib of Camden, pushing his daughter in a running carriage, finished first among the field.

Forty-five people participated in the event.

The 5K benefited the animal programs of the organization and is  modeled on one of Youthlinks’ popular service programs, Run-A-Hound, in  which high school students volunteer with local animal shelters by  taking dogs out for a run to exercise and train them.

The Run-A-Hound 5K started and finished at Youthlinks, located  at 420 Broadway in Rockland.

More information on the event is available online at youthlinksonline.org/runahound5k.

Youthlinks, a program of Broadreach Family and Community Services,   serves more than 500 Mid-Coast youth a year through afterschool   enrichment programs, in-school prevention, and summer camps. Many of the   programs include service-learning and animals.

The individual results for runners/walkers were: 1, Scheib, 20:32; 2, Colin Page, 24:00; 3, Ron Hise, 24:57; 4, Heidi Harris, 25:15; 5, Kathy Kandzioka, 26:33; 6, Benjamin Fuller, 25:38; 7, Shannon Thompson, 25:46; 8, Sydney Hall, 26:55; 9, Charlie Charlton, 27:25; 10, Ellen Spring, 27:49; 11, Reade Brower, 27:50; 12, Kathryn Gordon, 28:26; 13, Sophie Hall, 28:33; 14, Kelly Hall, 28:34; 15, Fletcher Hall, 28:37; 16, Joshua Garner, 30:32; 17, Tom Savage, 31:48; 18, Hilary Flagg, 32:39; 19, Mike Cherry, 34:11; 20, Cricket Fuller, 45:19; 21, Gil Munden, 46:22; 22, Toni Mocton, 54:47; and Kathleen Celorer and Melissa Warren.

The individual results for runners/walkers with dogs were: 1, Lloyd Bracy, 24:16; 2, Caitlin Schick, 25:50; 3, Jessie Davis, 26:48; 4, Irene Hopkins, 26:55; 5, Phillip Stuart, 27:11; 6, Scott McPherson, 27:41; 7, Delisa Morong, 27:42; 8, Sandy Bodamer, 30:30; 9, Skip Bracy, 32:25; 10, Elizabeth Noble, 33:02; 11, Alison Scheib, 33:08; 12, Wendy Hart, 39:07; 13, Cindy Harris, 41:30; 14, Kathryn Dermott, 44:29; 15, Nibby Browning, 45:19; 16, Rachel Albury, 46:21; 17, Karen Veit, 53:23; 18, Davon Place, 54:43; 19, Ashley Bickford, 58:09; 20, Marie Finnegan, 58;16; and 21, Angelica Ross, 58:16.

April 21, 2011

Win a $6,000 Maine Dream Vacation!

Filed under: Teens — charlie @ 11:29 am

Proceeds help support the community service programs of Youthlinks, connecting the teens of Midcoast Maine to their communities and expanding their aspirations through services and enrichment, and the community development work of the Camden-Rockport-Lincolnville Chamber of Commerce. Youthlinks is a program of Broadreach Family & Community Services.

http://www.mainedreamvacation.com/

Win a dream trip to Camden, Maine

Filed under: Broadreach Events — charlie @ 11:23 am

Check out what Hilary Nangle of Maine Travel Maven has to say about our Dream Vacation Raffle

http://www.mainetravelmaven.com/2011/04/19/win-a-dream-trip-to-camden-maine/

Rockland Glee Club focuses on more than just music

Filed under: Teens — charlie @ 10:29 am

Glee mania has taken over Rockland District Middle School.  Says student Zoe Goff, “I love the show!  I wish I could watch it every minute of the day!”  The appeal of the show is widespread, and this year several RDMS students decided that they wanted in on the Glee phenomenon.  Enter the Rockland After-School Alliance, which tailored a musical program to the passionate requests of this enthusiastic group.  Participant Sydney Gustafson shares, “There’s just something about the show—it’s fun and special and kind of crazy, and we wanted to have that here.”  For several weeks now, fourteen middle school students and two high school volunteers have met with Youthlinks Program Manager Hilary Flagg to master song and dance routines from the show they love, in preparation for their April 15th showcase performance.

While all involved would admit that preparing for a five-song performance is a lot of work, the fun seems to be what stands out most to this dedicated crew.  Each practice ends with a chance for students to check in about how the day went, usually by rating the day on a scale of 1 – 10.  Inevitably, off the chart numbers were shouted out as students reflected on how much they accomplished and how much fun they had singing and dancing together.  Says Flagg, “When we started the program, a top priority was making sure that Glee was fun for everyone, regardless of vocal ability and past experience.  It’s been incredible to see how much they have improved musically because of being in such a positive environment with their peers.”

The part of the show that students love most, in addition to the elaborate and flawless musical routines, is the camaraderie that develops between students from different social circles as they come together in a mutual love of song.  That team mentality is evident at RDMS, too; students who have never hung out prior to Glee have become each other’s biggest supporters and mentors, working together to learn dance steps, sing with emotion, and, perhaps most challenging, to overcome stage fright.  Delia Sastaamoinen, one of Glee’s soloists, says, “I originally joined because I love the show, I thought it would be really fun, and I had to get over my stage fright.”  She, along with many of her fellow Gleeks, signed up for the program without feeling prepared to take the stage and sing for a crowd.  After lots of practice and encouragement, this session’s showcase performance featured fourteen of its sixteen members in solos, duets, and small group numbers—every single student who was brave enough to ask for a feature got one.

The Glee Club’s recent performance caps off the program for the year, but it’s likely that next fall will be the start of another Gleeful year!  Youthlinks, a program of Broadreach Family & Community Services, is part of the Rockland After-School Alliance and provides community service, leadership and enrichment opportunities to all youth ages 11-17 from anywhere in mid-coast Maine. Youthlinks programs help youth learn skills, build self-esteem, cultivate social responsibility, develop leadership abilities and connect to their peers, to adult mentors, and to their communities. Youthlinks is funded primarily by state grants and the generous donations of individuals, businesses, and foundations. All programs are free for participating youth. For more information, visit www.youthlinksonline.org, or call 207-594-2221

April 14, 2011

Fundraiser a Success Despite Nor’easter

Filed under: Teens — charlie @ 8:45 am

The beat went on at the Youthlinks 2nd annual I Pity The Fool fundraising ‘80s dance, despite the April Fools Day blizzard.

Youthlinks would like to thank all of the guests who trudged through the snow Lincoln Street Center to dance to the awesome sounds of The Nikki Hunt Band.  Over a dozen people won fabulous prizes for their outfits and dance moves thanks to our prize sponsors:  FIORE Artisan Olive Oils and Vinegars, Belfast Dance Studio and RHEAL Day Spa.  The entire evening was made possible through the generosity of our title sponsors, Atlantic Studios, Café Miranda, and Machias Savings Bank.

A huge thank you goes out to the eight fabulous supporting Rockland restaurants, Amalfi on the Water, Café Miranda, In Good Company, Lily Bistro, Park Street Grille, Rustica, Waterworks and Sweets and Meats.  One lucky raffle winner took home gifts certificates to each of these restaurants!

Thank you to Central Distributors and TEA printing for our posters, and Bonnie Farmer and Jesse Stuart for event photography.  You can check out photos online at facebook.com/groups/ipitythefool.

You can put away your leg warmers and shoulder pads for now, but mark your calendars for year three:  Saturday April 1, 2012.

All proceeds from the evening went to support Youthlinks, a program of Broadreach Family & Community Services located in Rockland that provides community service, leadership and enrichment opportunities to youth ages 11-17 in mid-coast Maine. These programs help youth learn skills, build self-esteem, cultivate social responsibility, develop leadership abilities and connect to their peers, to adult mentors, and to their communities. Youthlinks is funded by grants and the generous donations of individuals and businesses. All programs are free for participating youth.

, 594-2221.

Run-A-Hound 5k in Rockland to benefit Youthlinks animal programs

Filed under: Teens — charlie @ 8:41 am

Youthlinks is excited to announce the first-ever Annual Run-A-Hound 5k fundraising race. Youthlinks, a program of Broadreach Family and Community Services, serves over 500 Mid-Coast youth a year through quality after-school enrichment programs, in-school prevention, and summer camps. Many of the programs include service-learning and animals. The 5k is to benefit the animal programs of the organization and is modeled on one of Youthlinks’ popular service programs, Run-A-Hound, in which high school students volunteer with local animal shelters by taking dogs out for a run to exercise and train them.

The Run-A-Hound 5k race will start and finish at Youthlinks, located at 420 Broadway in Rockland, on Saturday, April 23rd at 9:30am. Participants are asked to park at RDHS. There will be door prizes, complimentary snacks for runners, as well as awards for top Runner and Dog pair and top Runner. Registration fees are $10 for Runners with a dog, $15 for Runners without a dog, and $8 for Students with or without a dog. Pre-Registration is greatly appreciated and is available on active.com.

Race details are available on www.youthlinksonline.org/runahound5k. For more information: please contact Youthlinks, 594-2221.

April 1, 2011

I Pity the Fool Dance Update

Filed under: Broadreach Events — charlie @ 12:48 pm

Mother Nature may be playing some tricks, but The Nikki Hunt Band isn’t letting her get in their way. The Youthlinks I Pity The Fool Fundraiser is on for 7-10pm tonight at Lincoln Street Center in Rockland.
Drive slowly, drive safely and then dance your heart out to awesome ‘80s tunes. We’ll be giving away great prizes including gift certificates to FIORE Artisan Olive Oils and Vinegars, and an awesome goodie bad from RHEAL day spa.

March 18, 2011

Broadreach 50/50 Raffle for $5000

Filed under: Broadreach Events — charlie @ 9:39 am

$100 per ticket

Drawing when 100 tickets are sold! Winner takes home $5,000!!!

Proceeds benefit the Programs of Broadreach Family & Community Services!

Get your ticket today by calling Broadreach at 338-2200 or 594-8474 or order online at http://www.broadreachmaine.org/raffle.htm

March 10, 2011

I Pity the Fool Youthlinks Fundraiser

Filed under: Broadreach Events,Teens — charlie @ 10:23 am

Get out the hair spray, dust off your leg-warmers and mark your calendars for the second annual I Pity the Fool Fundraiser in Downtown Rockland to benefit Youthlinks, a program of Broadreach Family & Community Services!  This event has it all: dinner, dancing and multiple chances to win great prizes.

The jam will be moving Friday, April 1st at Lincoln Street Center from 7 – 10pm.  This 21 and over event is sponsored in part by Café Miranda and will feature awesome 80’s tunes by The Nikki Hunt Band.  Bring your game face, because the competition will be on to win killer prizes for best outfit, radical hair, and bomb-diggity dance moves.  Don’t miss out on the chance to wear your most bodacious ’80s gear and shake a leg with some tubular dance moves.  There are lots of chances to win great prizes, including gift certificates to participating restaurants and businesses.

Dance tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door! Check out www.youthlinksonline.org or call 594-2221 and stay tuned for more information.

Youthlinks is a program of Broadreach Family & Community Services located in Rockland that provides community service, leadership and enrichment opportunities to youth ages 11-17 in mid-coast Maine. These programs help youth learn skills, build self-esteem, cultivate social responsibility, develop leadership abilities and connect to their peers, to adult mentors, and to their communities. Youthlinks is funded by grants and the generous donations of individuals and businesses. All programs are free for participating youth.

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© 2008 BROADREACH FAMILY & COMMUNITY SERVICES
We help children and families to develop the skills they need to lead healthy and productive lives.
We share our knowledge and experience with child- and family- serving organizations across the state and nation.

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