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.

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 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.

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

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

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.