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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!
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 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.
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
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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 .
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.
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.
Broadreach Family & Community Services has announced that Active Parenting Now classes will begin in Thomaston on Wednesday March 16th at the Thomaston Grammar School. Classes will be held from 6 pm to 8 pm. This new curriculum offers 6 two-hour sessions and has been shown to improve parents’ confidence and ability.
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.
The Broadreach Family & Community Services Behavioral Health Program has expanded to include Adult Case Management. Broadreach Case Management is a comprehensive individualized service which works with: children birth to 6 at risk of developmental and/or social emotional delay; children and youth birth to 21 who have a developmental disability or have a mental health diagnosis; and now adults who have a diagnosis of developmental disability, or have a mental illness. Currently there are openings for children and adults in both Waldo and Knox Counties. Broadreach’s team of experienced and caring professionals is available to help families who are in need of extra help to access resources in the community to ensure they are getting the help that they need this all year-round.
Program Director Carrie Horne explains, “Broadreach identified the need for these expanded services, and has worked hard to develop additional programming that works to support families in their own communities. These services are especially necessary during the difficult winter that we are experiencing this year”. Some of the specific ways Broadreach Case Managers can assist are:
• Supporting families in accessing and coordinating health services such as dental, medical, specialists and counseling.
• Supporting comprehensive wraparound services and by working collaboratively with families and providers to build a strong support team.
• Providing information, resources and support to assist families in accessing community programs.
• Teaching individuals and families the skills they need to advocate for themselves.
• Supporting families in seeking as assistance from other local, state and national organizations.
• Providing general information on parenting, child development, and family management.
• Providing information about financial assistance and other resources to help families struggling with fuel, legal, child care, housing and other costs.
• Working with children’s preschool programs to assure a positive kindergarten transition.
Broadreach is very excited to offer these critical services to children, families and adults across mid-coast Maine. Please call Linda Baker at 338-2200 (Ext 119) or Carrie Horne at 338-2200 (Ext 117) or e-mail mentalhealth@brmaine.org more information about all Case Management Services as well as other Broadreach programs. You may also learn about our many services by visiting our website at www.BRMaine.org.
Broadreach Family & Community Services has announced that Active Parenting Now classes will begin in Rockland on Tuesday January 4th at the Rockland District Middle School. Classes will be held from 6 pm to 8 pm. This new curriculum offers 6 two-hour sessions and has been shown to improve parents’ confidence and ability.
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 childcare 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. Pre-registration is required and enrollment will be limited.
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.
Broadreach Family & Community Services has announced that Active Parenting Now classes will begin in Belfast on Wednesday December 8th at the Captain Albert Stevens School. Classes will be held from 6 pm to 8 pm. This new curriculum offers 6 two-hour sessions and has been shown to improve parents’ confidence and ability.
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.
Mid-Co
ast Children’s Services, a program of Broadreach Family & Community Services, will be hosting an Open House showcasing our early childhood education preschool programs on Thursday, November 18 from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., at 272 Park Street in Rockland. All our classrooms will be open, including the two new classrooms in our new building! Teachers and staff will be on hand to answer questions about the program, our curriculum and our commitment to preparing preschoolers for success as life-long learners. Refreshments will be served and sample “centers” will be open for children and families to explore. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. For more information, please call Sandy Billington at 594-8474, x. 301 or send an email to sbillington@brmaine.org.
Broadreach Family & Community Services has recently hired Carrie Horne, LCPC to be the director of the agency’s Behavioral Health Services Program. Broadreach coordinates essential services for individuals with developmental and mental health diagnoses, and assists families in accessing supports and advocating for their children. Broadreach is licensed as a mental health agency by the State of Maine and provides Case Management and other critical support services to children, teens and adults throughout Waldo and Knox County.
Ms. Horne comes to Broadreach with over 15 years professional experience as an administrator, clinician, and trainer. Prior coming to Broadreach, she served as Children’s Program and Training Director at the Alliance of the Mentally Ill in Augusta, Maine. Her duties included developing and implementing training and education programs for service providers and professionals, consumers, families, school special services, and employers throughout the State of Maine.
Ms. Horne will lead the agency’s dedicated behavioral health staff in delivering critical services to make a positive difference in the lives of hundreds of children, youth and adults each year. In addition to providing Behavioral Health Program, Broadreach provides individuals and families throughout Waldo, Knox and Lincoln Counties with a comprehensive array of education, intervention, health and support services. Broadreach is proud to be recognized as one of the top ranked early intervention and social service agencies in Maine. In 2010, the agency was voted by Waldo County residents in Village Soup’s Annual Best of the Best, as both the Best Preschool and the Best Childcare Program in Waldo County. Broadreach was also been selected the Non-Profit Organization of the Year Award for 2010 by the Belfast Area Chamber of Commerce.
For more information about the Broadreach Behavioral Health Program, you may reach Carrie at 338-2200 x Ext 117 or email mentalhealth@BRMaine.org
Mid-Coast Children’s Services (MCCS), a program of Broadreach Family & Community Services, would like to send a special THANK YOU to the 30+ volunteers who helped spruce up our playground, gardens, accessibility ramp and MORE on a chilly Saturday, October 23rd! Our “Early School”, early childhood education program, at 272 Park Street in Rockland was chosen by Ronald McDonald House Charities as a “Breakfast Makes A Difference Day” recipient in conjunction with the national Make a Difference Weekend. McDonalds’ corporation provided each volunteer that day with a delicious breakfast, T-shirts and snacks!
Broadreach Family & Services has received an award of $8000 from Maine Ronald McDonald House Charities to increase health for preschoolers at its early childhood centers in Belfast and Rockland. The Get Up and Go! project will provide young children with increased opportunities to be physically active and make healthy food choices while attending Broadreach early childhood centers, while at home and while in the community.
The obesity epidemic in mid-coast Maine mirrors that of the rest of the state and the nation. The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the number of overweight children has tripled in the last three decades- today more than one in three children in the state is overweight or obese. Overweight children are at greater risk for many serious health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer and asthma.
Stemming the epidemic rate of childhood obesity has become a local and national health priority. The heart-breaking truth is that obesity is a largely preventable health conditioner. It is critical to begin prevention efforts early in childhood because obesity in adolescence is the strongest predictor of obesity in adulthood.
With the support of Ronald McDonald House Charities, Broadreach will implement new school-based and family outreach strategies to address key early childhood recommendations outlined by public health experts. Get Up and Go! strategies will focus on supporting children and families to increase daily physical activity, eat more fruits and vegetables, and reduce their use of television, video games and other screen time.
Broadreach has been making a positive difference in the lives of children and families since 1983. Broadreach serves children, teens, families and adults throughout Waldo, Knox and Lincoln Counties with the following comprehensive array of services, including the provision of rich and varied learning opportunities for young children and assists families as they develop skills to lead healthy and productive lives. Broadreach is proud to be recognized as one of the top ranked early intervention and social service agencies in Maine. In 2010, the agency was voted by Waldo County residents in Village Soup’s Annual Best of the Best, as both the Best Preschool and the Best Childcare Program in Waldo County. Broadreach was also been selected the Non-Profit Organization of the Year Award for 2010 by the Belfast Area Chamber of Commerce.
Broadreach Family and Community Services recently hosted Fabulous Food of the Midcoast, a delectable food gala in which the evening’s proceeds were to benefit children, families and teens throughout Knox, Waldo and Lincoln counties. The gala was held at Point Lookout in Northport, and served up a myriad of samples from local restaurants and caterers throughout Knox and Waldo counties.
Along with the Fabulous Food of the Midcoast, there were silent and live auctions featuring famed auctioneer Eric Sanders, in which many engaged in a friendly challenge to outbid each other while supporting a great cause.
Broadreach Family & Community Services is a private, nonprofit agency. Its programs and services have been making a positive difference in the lives of children and families since 1983. For more information, visit brmaine.org.
The week of October 25th was National Red Ribbon Week, which is an opportunity to pledge to live drug free. Red Ribbon Week began in honor of DEA Officer Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who was working undercover in Guadalajara, Mexico when he was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered by the drug cartels he was investigating. His family created Red Ribbon Week to commemorate his work and service, and to remind people of the far-reaching consequences of drug use. Rockland District High School students wore “Live Drug Free” awareness bracelets throughout the week in Kiki’s honor, joining other students nationwide in recognizing this important event. Youthlinks Program Manager and Project SUCCESS Coordinator Hilary Flagg partnered with RDHS to organize the event in Rockland, and set a goal of distributing 250 awareness bracelets throughout the week. That goal was reached and surpassed; in all, 500 bracelets were handed out to students and staff!
Youthlinks’ Project SUCCESS program focuses on drug and alcohol prevention and is funded by the Maine Office of Substance Abuse. The program seeks to make positive connections with local high school students and encourages them to make healthy life choices. Red Ribbon Week is one of many school-wide prevention events to be organized through Project SUCCESS that will give students the opportunity to demonstrate how they are making positive choices to lead healthy lifestyles. For more information about Project SUCCESS and upcoming events, visit www.ylprojectsuccess.blogspot.com
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.
It would be a real challenge to visit your favorite eating establishments in Waldo and Knox Counties in one evening, unless you attend the Fabulous Food of the Midcoast event on October 7th at the Point Lookout Conference Center in Northport. Twenty or more local restaurants, caterers and other purveyors of fine foods and wine will be offering samples of their specialties in support of a fundraising event for Broadreach Family & Community Services. A $25 ticket allows entrance and sampling of the food offerings.
Vendors participating include: Amore Restaurant and Lounge, Atlantica, Awesome Diner, Belfast Coop, Cappy’s Chowder House, Delvino’s Grill & Pasta House, Ducktrap River of Maine, Moran’s Hideaway Diner, Papa J’s & The Lobster Bar, Penobscot Bay Inn, Point Lookout Conference Center, Ralph’s Café, Scoops & Crepes, Silver Lane Bistro, Sweetgrass Farm Winery & Distillery, Waterfront Restaurant and Whale’s Tooth Pub & Restaurant with more being added before the event.
Silent auctions and a live auction featuring an incredible variety of donated art, clothing, jewelry, services, and camp, cottage and condo stays will also be offered along with the dining. The evening’s auctioneer is Belfast Councilor Eric Sanders noted for being fast on his feet and with a gift of gab. Music will be provided by musician Ando Anderson, one of the moving forces behind Belfast Summer Nights and the Vaudeville Review.
Broadreach is grateful for the major sponsorship support from Elm Street Printing & Graphics and Damariscotta Bank and Trust, as well as media sponsor VillageSoup in making this event possible. Additional support has been provided by FMC Biopolymer Corp., Belfast Pediatrics, Camden National Bank, MacLeod’s Furniture and Viking, Inc.,
All proceeds from the event will be used in support of programs serving residents from Winterport to Waldoboro. Broadreach Family & Community Services is a 501 (c) (3) agency that has been providing mental health and educational services to meet the needs of the children and families of mid-coast Maine since 1983. Broadreach delivers programs through the following five service areas: Mental and Behavioral Services; Early Education and Intervention Services; Prevention Services; Youth Services and; Adult and Family Literacy Services. More information can be found on the Broadreach website at www.brmaine.org or call 338-2200 ext 109 for ticket information.
Broadreach Family & Community Services has announced they will be hosting the Fabulous Food of the Midcoast on Thursday, October 7th beginning at 5:30 pm at Erickson Hall at Point Lookout Conference Center in Northport. This event combines elements of longtime traditions, the Fabulous Food Fare and the Taste of the Midcoast. The Fabulous Food of the Midcoast is aptly named because as many as 20 of the more popular eating establishments and caterers in Waldo and Knox Counties will be sharing samples of their specialty food items. For the $25 price of admission those attending will be able to try food choices from hor d’ouevres, through entrees, to desserts. Those who have attended prior events have expressed satisfaction with the quality and variety of delicious food items.
Broadreach Executive Director Ruth Southworth says that “support from the communities we serve has been fabulous”. In addition to the food vendors, local businesses and individuals have been generous in donating a variety of art, hand crafts, services, lodging and other options that will be available to purchase through live and silent auctions. From oil paintings to fuel oil, from wooden birdhouses to seasoned firewood, from use of a camp on Swan Lake, overnights at Point Lookout, to the use of a condo in Florida, from imported Irish handcrafts to jewelry and appliances, the generous donations will become bargains for some lucky bidders. Auctioneer Eric Sanders makes the live auction a fun event with plenty of opportunity for interested bidders to participate before the gavel comes down.
Broadreach is grateful for the major sponsorship support from Elm Street Printing & Graphics and Damariscotta Bank and Trust, as well as media sponsor VillageSoup in making this event possible. Additional support has been provided by FMC Biopolymer Corp., Camden National Bank, MacLeod’s Furniture and Viking, Inc.
Tickets are limited and may not be available at the door; contact us at 338-2200 ext 109 to order tickets or for more information.
All proceeds from the event will be used in support of programs serving residents from Winterport to Waldoboro. Broadreach Family & Community Services is a 501 (c) (3) agency that has been providing mental health and educational services to meet the needs of the children and families of mid-coast Maine since 1983. Broadreach delivers programs through the following five service areas: Mental and Behavioral Services; Early Education and Intervention Services; Prevention Services; Youth Services and; Adult and Family Literacy Services. More information can be found on the Broadreach website at www.brmaine.org.
Wanted: aspiring artists, skateboarders, chefs, athletes and scientists
RASA falls into its next session on September 20th and is looking for anyone interested in learning a skill and meeting new friends! RASA programs are based at Rockland District Middle School, open to 5th – 8th graders and free to all participants.
Program offerings include claymation, field games, guitar, threads and community service! Visit www.youthlinksonline.org/RASA for an online catalog and registration form or call 594-2221. Program space is limited, sign up today.
For more information concerning the Rockland After-School Alliance, please call Amie Hutchison, RASA Project Coordinator, at Youthlinks: 594-2221. RASA is a program of Broadreach Family & Community Services offered in collaboration with RSU 13 supported by a 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant from the Maine Department of Education. Broadreach Family & Community Services is 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.
Youthlinks is excited to announce a new program for middle-school students at Troy Howard Middle School this fall: Jewelry Club. In this program, students will learn basic jewelry making skills and move through a series of projects that will increase in difficulty and skill level as the course progresses. Students will learn basic use of jewelry tools and wire wrapping techniques; they will practice making spirals and manipulating wire around stones, sea glass and beads. Intricate beading patterns will be taught, in addition to making paper beads, felt beads, polymer clay beads, and recycled jewelry. Some class meetings will be spent taking fieldtrips to get inspiration from local jewelry artists and to comb the beach for sea glass, stones and other natural items to incorporate into student pieces. Participants will complete a mini-service project by the end of the program as well, assembling bracelet and necklace-making kits to be given to a local assisted living facility, a preschool, and hospital patients. The kits will include beads made by the students. Participants will come away from the program with a variety of pieces for themselves, or to give as gifts to their friends and family as the holiday season approaches!
This program will meet Thursdays 2:30-5pm, from September 23rd to November 18th. Jewelry Club is 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 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.
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 NAEYC accredited full day and
part day preschool programs. Our full day classroom is available for children ages 3 to 5, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Our part day preschool classrooms are available for children ages 2.5 to 5, Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and/or 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. “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.
Portland ME – “The courageous men and women portrayed in these photographs have achieved literacy skills and met personal goals through their dedicated work with Literacy Volunteers. They inspire others with low literacy or limited English-speaking background to accomplish similar life-changing results.” So affirms Patrick Walsh, coordinator of Literacy Volunteers of Waldo County, about the significance of the FACES OF LITERACY: VOICES OF COURAGE exhibition.
LV Waldo County, a program of Broadreach Family & Community Services in cooperation with the University of Maine – Hutchinson Center in Belfast, will host the exhibit September 8 to December 17, 2010 at the Center’s H. Allen & Sally Fernald Art Gallery. Viewing hours will be weekdays 8:00 am to 9:00 pm Monday through Friday; 8:00 am to 3 pm Saturdays. The public is invited to attend an opening reception with light refreshments Tuesday, September 14, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm in The Atrium, adjacent to the Gallery. Individuals interested in LV Waldo’s fall training program to be volunteer tutors are encouraged to attend the reception.
September is National Literacy Month. Dr. C. Sue McCullough, Director of the Hutchinson Center, comments, “This collection of remarkable photographs and stories presents a wonderful opportunity to let our community know more about the important work of Maine’s Literacy Volunteers.”
The exhibit, which is part of an outreach campaign organized by Literacy Volunteers of Maine (LV Maine), has toured five Maine regions since its statewide premiere at the Saco Museum in October 2009. 20 large format, black-and-white portraits document 41 adults from across the state who came together in the Maine Literacy Volunteers Network. Small business owners, new Americans, students, health care workers, truck drivers, retired librarians, scientists and political asylees are portrayed, along with their dramatic personal testimonials. Photographers Ashley Earl, Melissa DiPaola, Emma Sampson, Jeffrey Fujiu, Jessica Perro and Diane Wren collaborated on the project pro bono under the direction of LV Maine.
Established in 1986, Literacy Volunteers of Waldo County delivers literacy instruction to adults with a dedicated corps of trained tutors. Walsh adds, “If you want to read or write better, we are here to help with confidential literacy services. Whether you have a short-term goal of getting your driver’s license, or a long-term plan to complete your GED, we can tailor a program for you. We also always need volunteer tutors to
help people improve their literacy and achieve their goals.”
LV Waldo’s next tutor training session begins September 22 in Belfast. To sign up for the tutor training, or learn more about the FACES OF LITERACY: VOICES OF COURAGE reception, call Patrick Walsh at 338-2200 extension 109.
For more information on the exhibit hours at the Fernald Art Gallery, call the Hutchinson Center, 338-8000. www.hutchinsoncenter.umaine.edu.
About Literacy Volunteers of Maine (LV Maine):
LV Maine is the state office of the Maine Literacy Volunteers Network, and is dedicated to increasing access to literacy services for adults. The affiliates that span 14 Maine counties provide free, confidential reading instruction to over 1,000 adults each year through a network of devoted and well-trained tutors. LV Maine also manages the Adult Learning Opportunities Hotline, a toll-free telephone referral service that connects people with literacy and adult education resources.
Call 1-800-322-5455. www.lvmaine.org.
Contact: Elaine Tselikis, Literacy Volunteers of Maine
(207) 773-3191
elaine@lvmaine.org
RSU3 and Broadreach are partnering to offer a new PreK classroom at the Walker Elementary School in Liberty, Maine beginning this Fall. Children who will be 4 years of age on or before October 15, 2010 and who reside in the towns of Liberty, Montville and Palermo are eligible to attend. For more information, call Dalene Sheldon at 338-2200X107.
Broadreach Family & Community Services has received a grant from the Maine Children’s Trust, the statewide child abuse and neglect prevention organization, to help improve the well-being of children in Midcoast Maine by providing Active Parenting Now classes in the Belfast and Rockland areas. This new curriculum offers 6 two-hour sessions and has been shown to improve parents’ confidence and ability.
The National Register of Evidence-based Programs and Practices describes the program in this way “Active Parenting Now is a video-based education program targeted to parents of 2- to 12-year-olds who want to improve their parenting skills. It is based on the application of Adlerian parenting theory, which is defined by 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. A calendar of classes and locations is being developed and more information will be available shortly.
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.
We are excited to offer an opportunity for people to show their support for Broadreach by purchasing our unique, one-of-a-kind Broadreach T-shirts. These T-shirts have been handcrafted by Inner Sense of Searsport and proudly display the Broadreach name and logo. Proceeds from the sale of the T-shirts will help Broadreach continue to provide quality programming in the Waldo and Knox County communities for years to come. Won’t you help us raise needed funds to support our future services? Call Broadreach today for size information and to place your orders at (207)338-2200. Or email us at info@brmaine.org.
Broadreach Family & Community Services of 5 Stephenson Lane Belfast, Maine announces its participation in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program in its centers. Meals and/or snacks 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, please contact Mary Bailey, the Broadreach Early Childhood Programming Director, at 338-2200 or mbailey@brmaine.org, or visit the agency website at www.brmaine.org .
Now is the time to purchase tickets and make your dinner reservations for the Thursday, April 1st I Pity the Fool Fundraiser in Downtown Rockland to benefit the Broadreach Family & Community Services programs Youthlinks and Mid-coast Children’s Services! This three part event has something for everyone: dinner, dancing and multiple chances to win great prizes. First, grab your friends and family and head to dinner at any participating restaurant on the night of the event. A percentage of all sales from the evening will be donated to Mid-Coast Children’s Services and Youthlinks.
EAT HERE:
Next, head to Lincoln Street Center to show off your best moves at an ’80s dance from 7 – 10pm. This 21 and over event is sponsored in part by Café Miranda and will feature live music by The Awesome, Portland’s premiere ’80s cover 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 other supporting businesses.
Don’t forget to buy raffle tickets! The grand prize package will be a gift certificate to each participating restaurant, valuing over $300! Buy lots of tickets to increase your odds of winning this amazing prize, which will help you enjoy nights out on the town for months to come! Raffle tickets can be purchased at the event or in advance from Planet Toys is Rockland, Youthlinks and Mid-Coast Children’s Services for $5 apiece or 5 for $20.
Dance tickets are $20 each and available at the door or in advance at Planet Toys, the Grasshopper Shop, Youthlinks, and Mid-Coast Children’s Services in Rockland, Planet in Camden, Wild Rufus in Belfast and by phone at 594-2221.
Check out www.youthlinksonline.org or call 594-2221 for more information.
5 Stephenson Lane, Belfast Maine 04915 :: telephone 207-338-2200 :: fax 207-338-1652 |
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