By Josie Gates

RASA students Kasey Campbell and Cody Hall calculate how much maple syrup they could make with the sap they gathered.

 Rockland After-School Alliance (RASA) participants ventured to Aldermere Farm in Rockport to learn about the maple-sugaring season and process in Maine. Aldermere Farm holds community sap gathering and boiling events throughout the sugaring season, and this year was able to offer Sap to Syrup, a seven-week long after-school program to students through RASA.

Each week the students visited the farm and with the instruction of Sarah Post, Aldermere’s Program Manager, and Youthlinks AmeriCorps Program Manager, Josie Gates, learned how to identify sugar maple trees that were okay to be tapped. Students then participated in the tapping and gathering process. Kids learned that sugar sap is not the sticky brown sap that gets stuck to their hands and clothes, but is in fact a clear liquid that tastes like sugar water. They quickly realized the important role that weather patterns play in determining how much sap flows during the sugaring season, and how many gallons of sap it takes to make just one gallon of syrup. Students got a chance to see a sugar shack in action as Aldermere’s General Manager, Ron Howard, demonstrated the boiling and evaporation process that turns the sugary sap water into thick and dark maple syrup.

The Sap to Syrup program was a great way for RASA students to see the sugaring season from start to finish—from cleaning out the cobwebs in the sap buckets in early February, to hauling gallons of sap from the sugar bush back to the sugar shack, to eating vanilla ice cream topped with maple syrup on their last visit.

RASA is a program of Youthlinks offered in collaboration with RSU 13 and 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 contact Youthlinks: 594-2221 or visit www.youthlinksonline.org/RASA.

RASA student Winter Cormier inspects how much sap has collected into the buckets since their previous visit to the Aldermere Farm.

Aldermere Farm’s Manager Ron Howard demonstrates how sap boils and evaporates to become maple syrup.

Photo courtesy of Youthlinks AmeriCorps Program Manager Sarah Woodman

Participants in the Rockland After-School Alliance program “Zombie Survival Team” were visited by registered nurse Tom Woodman, a member of Pen-Bay Medical Center’s Hospital Emergency Response Team (HERT). Woodman demonstrated the components of a Hazmat suit and explained Pen-Bay’s role in emergency preparedness on a local level. Pictured, from left: Sophia Fitzgerald, Mya Sutherland, Roy Grotton, Tom  Woodman, Bryan Henshaw, Aubrey Doyle, Nina Davis, and Alex Mahar.

Aldermere Farm Program Manager Sarah Post assists RASA students Nina Davis and Theodore Hallet as they halter, lead, and groom the Belted Galloway calves.

By Josie Gates, Youthlinks AmeriCorps Program Manager

During this past session of Rockland After School Alliance (RASA), five middle school students braved the winter cold and participated in the Farm Hands program at Aldermere Farm. The program was run by Sarah Post, the farm’s Program Manager, with assistance and supervision from Youthlinks’ AmeriCorps Member, Josie Gates.

For seven weeks the students visited the farm after school each Thursday to work with the Belted Galloway calves, under Post’s guidance and instruction. Students learned halter training, leading, and grooming, and practiced patience and teamwork. Post also taught the students about land conservation and how Aldermere Farm operates as protected farmland thanks to Maine Coast Heritage Trust.

Farm Hands is a great hands on learning opportunity and for most of the students it was their first experience working with large animals. While it’s a memorable experience for the students it also provides a service to the farm.  Each week the calves became more comfortable with being haltered, led, and groomed and became better tempered around people as a result. Youthlinks and RASA look forward to collaborating with Aldermere Farm for the next session of after-school clubs. A new group of middle school students will participate in Aldermere Farm’s spring program, Sap to Syrup.

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.

The staff of Mid Coast Optical: Tracey Sylvester, Kris Kangas and Darlene Blake

For the past four years, Mid-Coast Optical has collected donations for Youthlinks at their office on Maverick Street in Rockland.  This February, the staff of Mid-Coast Optical presented Youthlinks with a check for the collective 2012 donation of $561.90 from clients of optician Kristian Kangas.

Mr. Kangas, a parent of a former participant of Youthlinks programs, commented:  “We consider Youthlinks to be a wonderful organization, connecting our young people with the community.  We are happy to be able to help support this worthy cause.”

Youthlinks collaborates with local organizations to offer unique community service projects and enrichment opportunities for youth ages 11-17 in the midcoast.  This winter, program participants are exploring the sugaring process at Aldermere Farms, caring for shelter animals at the Knox County Humane Society, knitting for the Rockland District Nurse’s Associate Mercy March campaign, and learning culinary skills from local chefs while creating dishes for the soup kitchen at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.

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 Youthlinks or the Rockland After-School Alliance, please contact Youthlinks: 594-2221 or visit www.youthlinksonline.org.

AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer Seth Walton holds the 2012 Public Service Award that was presented to Youthlinks by the Knox County Pomona Grange #3

In recognition of commitment and involvement as a servant to the people, Youthlinks was selected as the recipient of the 2012 Public Service Award by Knox County Pomona Grange #3.  The honor was bestowed at the Penobscot View Grange on October 13th.  Following a short presentation of Youthlinks programs to the Grange members, Sherrill Snowdeal delivered the award to Seth Walton of Youthlinks.  Walton noted, “We are very grateful for the recognition of the value of our programs by the Knox Pomona Grange.  Community support is essential to our mission of encouraging youth to commit to themselves and their community.  We can enable youth to succeed in school, at home, at work, and in society only when community members and organizations like the Granges are supportive and invested in their success.”

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 the generous donations of individuals, businesses, and foundations. All programs are free for participating youth. For more information on Youthlinks, visit www.youthlinksonline.org or call 594-2221.

Sarah Woodman joined Youthlinks in September

Broadreach Family & Community Services is pleased to welcome Sarah Woodman to the Youthlinks team.  Sarah Woodman is an AmeriCorps Great Strides volunteer, proud to be serving her hometown of Rockland. Sarah holds a BA degree from the University of Maine, where she studied English and Philosophy. Sarah worked at the University of Maine in the office of the Dean of Education and Human Development, as a tutor for the university’s Writing Center, and as an assistant to Professor Elizabeth Allan. Locally, Sarah has worked as a barista, a bread baker, a bookstore assistant, and a pastry baker for three well-loved Rockland businesses. She enjoys long walks, the ocean, movies, swimming, rabbits, reading, baking, gardening, meeting new people, philosophy, traveling, looking at art, and great conversations. When asked why she joined Youthlinks, she answered, “We’re lucky to live in an area with so many talented people willing to share such a wide variety of skills: art, music, cooking, education, craftsmanship. I’m excited to help strengthen the connection between young adults and the mid-coast community. The greatest influences on my life were people I connected with as a high school student, right here in Rockland, and I am eager to help forge those connections for our current students as a member of AmeriCorps and Youthlinks. The mid-coast has evolved into a very special place, and it’s an exciting time to be working on the growth and development of our local community and the students who represent our community’s future.”

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 the generous donations of individuals, businesses, and foundations. All programs are free for participating youth. For more information on Youthlinks, visit www.youthlinksonline.org or call 594-2221.

Broadreach is asking staff and families to come help out on Make A Difference Day, October 27^th from 9- noon. We know each one of you makes a difference EVERY DAY in the work you do in the community with children, teens, adults and families.

On October 27^th, we are asking for help spiffing up Broadreach- so we can present a fresh, clean look to the community.  And bring family and friends- all are welcome!  Breakfast will be served, and all volunteers will get a t-shirt.

You can sign up to help at one of the following three Broadreach sites:

• Broadreach Main Office  5 Stephenson Lane, Belfast
• Mid-Coast Children’s Services  272 Park Street, Rockland
• Youthlinks  420 Broadway Rockland

Which site works best for you?  Let Deb know at 338-2200 Ext 112 or by emailing dschilder@brmaine.org

To volunteer or for more info, contact:

Deborah Schilder
Broadreach Family & Community Services
5 Stephenson Lane  Belfast, ME 04915
Phone:  207-338-2200 Ext 112      Fax:  207-338-1652
dschilder@brmaine.org      Web: www.broadreachmaine.org

AmeriCorps Volunteers, Josie Gates and Seth Walton, joined Youthlinks in September.

Boadreach Family & Community Services is pleased to welcome two new AmeriCorps volunteers to Youthlinks.  Seth Walton and Josie Gates both joined the Youthlinks team in September.  “We are thrilled to have Josie and Seth as part of the team this year; their energy and enthusiasm is inspiring,” says Youthlinks Program Director Amie Hutchison.

Seth Walton is an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer and comes to Youthlinks and MidCoast Maine from Hillsboro, VA.  He holds a A.A. from Colorado Mountain College, a B.A. degree in Globalization and Politics, and a Master of Public Administration, both from University of Colorado at Denver.  Seth has been a Legislative Performance Auditor, Entomological Survey Specialist, Management Consultant, International Service Learning Program Coordinator, Volunteer EMT, Boatbuilder, Nautical Archeologist, Landscape Designer, Shuttle Van Driver, Burger Flipper, and Master Gardener.  He enjoys cooking, loitering in bookstores, daydreaming about sailing, making or fixing things, volunteering, and long walks in the woods.  When asked why he joined Youthlinks, he answered, “Youthlinks and AmeriCorps VISTA have provided a unique opportunity for me to use my diverse interests and skills in a mission to expand opportunities for area youth and help build a stronger community.  From my few weeks here, I can tell there is a lot of desire and momentum to improve an already great community and that is something I can get behind.  I really look forward to being a liaison between youth, schools, businesses, and local organizations.  It also doesn’t hurt that this area has great people, culture, food, and an awe inspiring natural beauty!”

Josie Gates is a first year AmeriCorps volunteer with the Great Strides Rural Education Corps.  Josie is from Camden, Maine and is currently living in Lincolnville, Maine with two friends and a golden retriever named Betty. She got her B.L.A. degree in Anthropology at Bennington College in 2011. She has travelled to Europe, the majority of the Caribbean islands, Central America, and lived in the South Pacific on the island of Samoa for half a year in 2011. Josie loves cooking, running, hiking, camping, and gardening. She especially loves any time that she gets to be on the ocean. She spends her summers on North Haven Island as the host at Nebo Lodge and pretty much thinks that Maine is the most beautiful place on earth.

Josie has worked with youth for many years as a camp counselor, mentor, and teacher. She loves seeing young people thrive on experiential learning and looks forward to getting kids out into Mid-Coast Maine’s communities. She wanted to work for Youthlinks because of the non-profit’s values surrounding community service and positive mentor relationships.  She looks forward to a great year ahead and learning and thing or two from the kids she works with.

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 the generous donations of individuals, businesses, and foundations. All programs are free for participating youth. For more information on Youthlinks, visit www.youthlinksonline.org or call 594-2221.

Broadreach is looking for a Per Diem Behavioral Health Professional for Waldo and Knox counties, as well as the Waldoboro and Edgecomb communities, to work with Section 28 children and young adults. Full BHP certification is preferred, but Module 1 certified will be considered. Valid Maine Drivers License and insurance required, working knowledge of childhood intervention programs helpful. Excellent salary based on experience, as well as mileage reimbursement. Resume can be sent to Heather Ricker Morris @ hmorris@brmaine.org, faxed to (207) 338-1327, or contact by phone at 207-338-2200 ext 105.

Broadreach Family & Community Services is now excepting applications into our early childhood education programs in September 2012.  Full day options available in our early childhood inclusive programs for children ages 6 weeks to five located at 23 Mill Lane in Belfast.  The hours of operation will be Monday through Friday, 8:00AM to 4:00 PM for preschoolers and 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM for infants and toddlers. The children enrolled in this NAEYC accredited program will experience a wide variety of activities taught by certified teachers using the High Scope preschool curriculum.  The classrooms are equipped with materials designed to stimulate and challenge children, and each day provides new opportunities for children to build on the skills learned the day before.  The daily schedule provides opportunities for both indoor and outdoor play, nutritious meals, and a variety of fun and educational activities that ensures children develop the skills they need for kindergarten readiness and a lifetime of learning success.  

Similar to the services provided in our full day program, Broadreach offers a half day session for preschoolers (ages 3-5) in Searsport. This early childhood education program is located at the Searsport Elementary School and is offered Monday through Thursday from 8:30 to 11:30.  This classroom follows the RSU#20 school calendar.
The PreK (pre kindergarten) Program serves children who will have turned four years old by October 15, 2012 and is free to eligible children.  In partnership with RSU#3 and RSU#20, Broadreach currently have openings in our East Belfast, Searsport, Monroe, Brooks and Unity classrooms.  The children attending our PreK classroom will experience a wide variety of activities taught by state certified teachers relating to reading, writing and language preparing them to se successful learners in kindergarten.  Children will also receive a breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack each day for a minimal fee.
For more information and/or to enroll your child into one of our early childhood education programs, please contact Mary Bailey at 338-2200 ext. 101 or email mbailey@brmaine.org.

Top left and right: High school students prepare meals for the Soup Kitchen at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Rockland
Bottom left: Student of Oceanside East records a sketch for Youthlinks’ Rockland Radio program at WRFR’s radio station

Youthlinks is in search of teens to help run a monthly Soup Kitchen at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and a weekly radio program at Rockland’s community radio station WRFR.  Both programs are free opportunities for high school students to learn new skills, earn community service hours and make new friends.

At the Soup Kitchen teens help prep, cook and serve meals to those in need.  Youthlinks runs the Soup Kitchen at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Rockland from 10am to 2pm on the second Saturday of every month.  Saturday, July 14th is just around the corner, so sign up soon!

Since last September members of Youthlinks’ Rockland Radio wrote and recorded a number of sketches and announcements that rode the airwaves in the Rockland-Camden area and streamed across the World Wide Web.  Samples of their work can be heard at youthlinksonline.org/rocklandradio.htm.  Creative minds are needed once again to help run this weekly program every Wednesday from 3pm to 5pm.

All Youthlinks programs are free!  For more information or to register, visit www.youthlinksonline.org/ohs or call 594-2221.  Program space is limited, sign up today.

For more information concerning Youthlinks, please call Amie Hutchison, Youthlinks Program Director, at 594-2221. 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 on Broadreach programs and services visit www.broadreachmaine.org.

Hi everyone please take time to get BALLOTS and to VOTE!!!!!! :  

it’s that time of year again when the “BEST of the BEST of Waldo County” ballots are out…..We would like to renew our current titles of:

Best PreSchool

Best Day Care!!!

We need your help in getting the word out to families, colleagues and friends! Ballots can be found in the Republican Journal.

As you know it does take a bit of time but it’s well worth it!!!!!!!!!!!

Our deadline is June 22 th to return and ballots can be delivered to the front desk here in the main office…

Please let families and friends know why taking a few minutes to complete this ballot is so important!

NOW is time to reinforce Broadreach is the BEST of the BEST!!!!!

Please let me know if you have any questions! And please spread the word!

Thanks in advance!!! Kate Quinn Finlay

For over thirty years, Youthlinks has provided a wide range of programming that empower local youth to commit to themselves and their community.  Through focused enrichment activities and meaningful volunteer work, youth gain knowledge and skills which serve as a foundation for a lifetime of success.    This year, Youthlinks provided over 600 mid-coast youth (aged 11-17) with service learning, skills building, arts and healthy living activities. 

Over its three decades of operation, Youthlinks has seen its share of changes. The organization has continually evolved in response to changes in youth and community need, and funding capacity.  A constant has been providing high quality programming to area youth with the support of the community.  In 2007, Youthlinks merged with Broadreach Family & Community Services, and expanded programming to serve Waldo and Lincoln County youth in addition to Rockland area youth. 

Today, new government funding cuts are challenging the capacity of Youthlinks, along with most other youth programs across the state.  In order to continue to serve area youth in the face of significant funding reductions, Youthlinks is entering a period of reorganization.  To that end, Youthlinks sadly announces it will be saying goodbye to four exemplary professionals who have served as long-time youth workers and staff members to the program:
 
Scott Browning has coordinated Youthlinks’ high school programs for several years.  He taught himself bicycle repair in order to run the Recycle-A-Cycle program, created the successful Run-A-Hound 5k and led the Skatepark Revitalization project. He has a gift for collaboration, bringing in new community partners and creating opportunities for students to be heard by their community – including helping prepare a youth group for a city council presentation.

Hilary Flagg will forever be known at Rockland District Middle School for Glee! Club.  When a group of middle students requested this program, Hilary swung into action.  She spent hours getting the program going: working with students to build the confidence they needed for public showcases and learning piano accompaniments to support student performances.     One of Youthlinks most popular programs, over 90 middle school students have participated in GLEE over the past 15 months. Hilary is a gifted teacher and has taught prevention education to hundreds of RSU 13 students over the past three years.
 
Ashley Megquier has run programs in Belfast and Rockland for six years.  Her passion for the arts has inspired hundreds of students.  Ashley has proven that art is everywhere and can be made from everything – from turning a community service beach clean up into masterpieces to making sculptures out of vegetables. 

Caitlin Schick created some of Youthlinks most ambitious programming.   She has taught youth surfing, created a mentorship program for high school skateboarders to share their skills with younger students, taught a team of local student zombies choreography for a world record ‘Thriller’ dance attempt and led a team of Youthlinks summer campers and one amazing shelter dog to win top honors at the International Boatyard Dog competition.

This year, over 60% of Rockland District Middle School and Oceanside East students participated in one or more Youthlinks programs.  Starting with Summer Camp 2012, Youthlinks program will continue- though with reduced staffing, fewer youth slots and a smaller geographic reach.  In the coming months Youthlinks will be reaching out to parents, students, and community and business leaders to guide the program’s transition as it works to continue to meet youth and community need in a challenging economy.  Youthlinks working to stabilize funding, build our volunteer base and ensure the program will continue to serve Rockland area youth for generations to come.  Youthlinks wishes Scott, Hilary, Ashley and Caitlin the best as they move on to new endeavors.

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.