Now accepting applications for Fall 2013

RSU 20 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS –
East Belfast (East Belfast, Swanville), Captain Albert Stevens (Belfast),
Stockton Springs (Searsport, Stockton Springs, Frankfort) &
Gladys Weymouth (Searsmont, Belmont, Morrill)

In a fun, safe and active setting your child will:

• develop school readiness skills
• be taught by  certified teachers
• meet other children and expand self-confidence
• experience a wide variety of activities related to language & literacy, math, science and problem solving

ELIGIBLE CHILDREN: RESIDENCE IN CATCHMENT TOWNS 4 years old by 10/15/13 for PreK Program

The Pre-K program is free. The program follows the RSU#20 school calendar, bus transportation is available.

WHEN: Starting Early September 2013

INFORMATION/REGISTRATION:

EAST BELFAST: JANINE LAVWAY 338-4420

CPT.  ALBERT STEVENS: KAY JENESS OR DONNA PARKS 338-3510 EXT. 343/344

STOCKTON SPRINGS: DEBBIE DAKIN 548-2317

GLADYS WEYMOUTH: KAY DODD 342-5200 OR 342-5300

Sponsored by RSU 20 in collaboration with Broadreach Family & Community Services

Now accepting applications for Fall 2013

In a fun, safe and active setting your child will:

• develop school readiness skills
•  be taught by  certified teachers
•  meet other children and expand self-confidence
•  experience a wide variety of activities related to language & literacy, math, science and problem solving

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: RESIDENCE IN CATCHMENT TOWNS 4 years old by 10/15/13 for PreK Program

The PreK Program for children 4 years old by October 15, 2013 is free.  Children receive breakfast, lunch and a snack each day for a minimal fee. Parents are encouraged to complete the Free & Reduced Meal Application.

WHEN: Programs Start in Early September 2013

INFORMATION/REGISTRATION FOR: BROOKS, LIBERTY & MONROE Please call Dalene Sheldon at Broadreach, 338-2200 ext. 107 or 1-877-733-2200

INFORMATION/REGISTRATION FOR: UNITY (UNITY, TROY, KNOX, THORNDIKE, FREEDOM) PLEASE CALL DEB PALMER 338-3827 EXT. 214

Sponsored by RSU 3 in collaboration with Broadreach Family & Community Services And Waldo Community Action Partners in Unity Pre-k Program

—Get your child off to a GREAT START!—

The Youthlinks house

Saturday, May 25th Youthlinks invites friends, families and volunteers to celebrate summer at its open house at 420 Broadway in Rockland from 10am to noon.

Visitors will be able to tour the Youthlinks’ house and garden, and the orchard recently planted by the students of Oceanside East High School. They will also have the opportunity to meet the instructors and community volunteers who have helped design and run the after-school and summer programs of Youthlinks and RASA.

Everyone – kids and adults – will get a taste of summer camp. We will play our favorite outdoor sports like ultimate Frisbee® and three-legged races, as well as a few activities unique to the Youthlinks’ summer camp experience, like Birdie on a Perch and dodgeball in the Gaga Pit.

The games will be just a glimpse of what Youthlinks has in store for this summer. We are excited to partner with Headacre Farm in Owls Head for the first time to offer a Farm Camp where middle school students will tend and harvest their own vegetable garden for weekly farm to table lunches. Once again our summer program will include two weeks of sailing for middle and high school students through the Rockland Community Sailing program at the Apprenticeshop.

All Youthlinks programs are free for participating youth. More information about our summer programs and registration are available online at youthlinksonline.org.

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 throughout 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. For more information about Youthlinks call 594-2221 or visit youthlinksonline.org.

Seth Walton, AmeriCorps Vista Community Programs Director of Youthlinks, announces the raffle winner at the Business After Hours at the Owls Head Transportation Museum. Standing beside him is Robin McIntosh, Membership Services Manager of the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce.

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

Seth Walton, AmeriCorps VISTA at Youthlinks, had the honor of drawing the winning ticket at the conclusion of the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours at the Owls Head Transportation Museum on Wednesday, May 8th. Residents from around the country including many locals purchased tickets for the raffle. Youthlinks congratulates Mr. Dunphy on his win and thanks him for entering the raffle for a second year.

Mr. Dunphy and his travelling companion will enjoy a fantastic array of top-notch lodging, fine meals and wonderful activities. They will spend three nights at the AAA four-diamond Samoset Resort on the ocean. Each night they will have dinner with the one of the area’s finest chefs at Youngtown Inn, Craignair Inn and La Bella Vita. Each day they will explore all the beauties of coastal Maine by land, sea and air on a tour of the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland, a round of golf at the Samoset Resort, a sail on the Schooner Olad and a biplane tour over Penobscot Bay, courtesy of the Owls Head Transportation Museum. The prize also includes round-trip airfare from Rockland, ME to Boston, courtesy of Cape Air, and a $500 gift card provided by Bangor Savings Bank, which the winner may use as he pleases.

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 throughout 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. For more information about Youthlinks call 594-2221 or visit youthlinksonline.org.

Ladies Night Out For Charity!

Proceeds to benefit RSU #20 Afterschool Program

Saturday, May 11th 7:30-11:30
The Boathouse, Belfast, ME

$30 ticket includes a special gift and light hors d’oeuvres. Adult beverages available for purchase.

To purchase tickets or sponsor a mom please contact Betty-Lu 323-0654

For more information visit Facebook Mid-Coast Mom Prom -2013

Sue diRosario has over thirty years in not-for-profit organization management experience including over twenty years in philanthropy.  She most recently served as Director of Philanthropy for the EMHS Foundation for Sebasticook Valley Health.  Prior roles included Director of Marketing and Development for Sebasticook Valley Hospital and Director of Planning and Development for the Central Maine Area Agency on Aging, now known as Spectrum Generations.

Sue completed her graduate and undergraduate work at the University of Maine at Orono and is also a graduate of Leadership Maine and the EMHS Leadership Academy.  She has served on a number of professional associations, boards, and committees including seven years on the United Way of Mid-Maine board as a member, and also as Chair of a Community Impact Team and Chair of the United Way Board.  Sue has also been a member of the Kennebec Valley Community Action Program’s Child and Family Services Advisory Council.

Broadreach Family & Community Services is a private not-for-profit agency that has been making a difference in the lives of Maine children and families for over thirty years.  Through such programs as early childhood classrooms, care management services, after school and summer programs for youth, behavioral and mental health services, and parenting training, Broadreach helps community members to build skills and provides support to lead healthy and productive lives.

For more information about Broadreach visit the website at www.brmaine.org, email at info@brmaine.org, or call 338-2200.  Sue diRosario can be reached at 338-2200 extension 201 or by email at sdirosario@brmaine.org.

Photo courtesy of Adrienne Randall

Despite the April showers, 46 runners and 23 dogs gathered at Youthlinks on a cold Saturday morning to take part in the 3rd Annual Run-A-Hound 5K race in Rockland on April 20th.

Youthlinks would like to thank all of the participants, volunteers and local businesses that helped make the 5k a fundraising success and a fun community event.

Thank you to Loyal Biscuit and the Camden Hospital for Animals for sponsoring this year’s event and providing the prize package for the top runner and dog pair.  Both sponsors were present to hand out goodies to the race participants and cheer them on as they crossed the finish line.  Each sponsor also had their own contestants to root for:  Heidi Neal of Loyal Biscuit ran with her dog Izzy and Patti Tempio Wilson of Camden Hospital for Animals ran with her dog Bacci.

Thank you to Hannaford of Rockland, Hole in the Wall Bagels, Rock City Café and Safe Harbor Confections for providing fuel for our runners.  Thank you to StrongerFasterHealthier of Waldoboro for providing samples of pet fish oil for the dogs.

Thank you to Maine Coast Construction for providing safety vests for our crossing guards.

Thank you to all of the businesses who donated door prizes, so every runner had a chance of winning something:  Harbor Road Veterinary Hospital, Maine Boats & Harbors, Maine Sport, Maine Street Meats, Mr. Wat Sushi & Noodles, Penobscot Bay YMCA, Planet Toys, Rock City Café, Swing & Sway Dancing, University of Rockland, WRFR, and Yankee Clipper.

Finally, congratulations to the top runners.  Eric Morse of Berlin, VT and his terrier, Murdock, came in first at 17 minutes and 17 seconds.  Darren Winchenbach of Waldoboro took first place for the Men’s Runners without Dogs class at 19 minutes and 29 seconds. Allison Leonard of Rockland took first place for the Women’s Runners without Dogs class at 25 minutes and 37 seconds.  Youthlinks also congratulates 11-year-old Dayton Dinsmore of South Thomaston for taking third place in the Men’s Runners without Dogs class at 26 minutes and 38 seconds.

The Run-A-Hound 5K benefits the programs of Youthlinks, a program of Broadreach Family & Community Services, which serves over 500 Mid-Coast youth a year through quality after-school enrichment programs and summer camps.  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.

Despite the rain, the dogs were smiling. (photo by of Adrienne Randall)

A crowd gathered at Youthlinks for the 2013 Run-A-Hound 5K. (photo by of Adrienne Randall)

Left to right: Youthlinks Program Director Amie Hutchison and Five Town CTC Executive Director Dalene Dutton

The Juvenile Justice Advisory Group recently awarded a $90,000 grant to support after-school programs in mid-coast Maine. Youthlinks, a program of Broadreach Family & Community Services and STAR, a program of Five Town Communities That Care (CTC) were the joint recipients of this generous funding. “Youthlinks and STAR have common goals,” says Youthlinks Director, Amie Hutchison. “Both programs are working to improve outcomes for middle school students by providing skill building programs and meaningful volunteer opportunities.” “We are excited to be working with Broadreach and Youthlinks in this way. Collaboration provides us with the opportunity to share resources and expertise and ensures that every dollar goes even further,” added Five Town CTC Executive Director, Dalene Dutton. Another common goal of Youthlinks and STAR is to create a generation of life-long community-minded volunteers.
The Juvenile Justice Advisory Group (JJAG) oversees Maine’s participation in the federal juvenile justice initiative. The purpose of the initiative is to help states craft effective responses to the problems of juvenile crime and violence; and to reduce delinquency and youth violence by providing community members with skills, knowledge, and opportunities to foster a healthy and nurturing environment that supports the growth and development of productive and responsible citizens.
Youthlinks’ mission is to empower youth to commit to themselves and their communities, broaden their horizons, and acquire healthy life skills through focused enrichment programs and meaningful volunteer work. Youthlinks offers a diverse menu of in-school, after-school, and summer programs to engage a broad base of youth with varying interests. Their programs rely on creating mutually beneficial relationships with other area non-profit agencies. Through these opportunities, youth are exposed to new experiences, develop new knowledge and skills and develop pride in the service they give to their community.
The STAR Program seeks to provide opportunities for youth to learn skills that they can use in service to their community, to provide recognition for the contributions of young people, and to connect youth to other places where they can use their newly acquired skills. Youths who have confidence in their basic skills are apt to become involved in groups where healthy development is fostered. For the spring cycle of STAR, students will participate in one of the following classes: Knit Wits, Exploring Through the Arts, Hands On Science, Animal Antics, Aldermere Farm Hands, Martial Arts, Cooking, and Improvisational Drama.
STAR is open to 5th-8th graders in the towns of Appleton, Camden, Hope, Lincolnville, and Rockport. It is the flagship program of Five Town Communities That Care, whose mission is to promote healthy youth and to prevent problem adolescent behaviors such as substance abuse, violence, delinquency, school dropout, teenage pregnancy, and suicide.
Youthlinks and the STAR program are available at no cost to participants thanks to the Juvenile Justice Advisory Group grant and generous donations from community members, organizations, and businesses. For more information on Youthlinks, visit www.youthlinksonline.org or call 594-2221. For information on Five Town Communities That Care, visit www.fivetownctc.org or call 236-9800.

The Run-A-Hound 5K banner marks the race’s finish line at Youthlinks.

Saturday, April 20th Youthlinks will hold its third annual Run-A-Hound 5K for runners and dogs.

Local businesses have shown a great amount of enthusiasm and support for this year’s event.  Camden Hospital for Animals and Loyal Biscuit are sponsoring the race.  Hole in the Wall Bagels, Rock City Café, Hannaford and Safe Harbor Confections are providing fuel for the runners and StrongerFasterHealthier is providing samples of Omega-3 fish oil supplements for the pooches.

Everyone will have a chance to win something at the race.  Door prizes include a private dance lesson and group dance session at Swing & Sway Dancing, a $50 gift certificate from Yankee Clipper, a $30 gift certificate to Maine Sport, a day pass to Maine Boats & Harbors Show, a Boatyard Dog hat, a Boatyard Dog t-shirt, a $25 gift certificate to Planet Toys, a $10 gift certificate to Maine Street Meats, a WRFR t-shirt and CD, and a University of Rockland sweatshirt.  The top runner with a dog will be awarded a $50 gift certificate from Loyal Biscuit and a $75 gift certificate from the Camden Hospital for Animals.  The top male runner without a dog will receive a $100 gift certificate to the Penobscot Bay YMCA.  The top female runner without a dog will receive a $50 gift certificate to Mr. Wat Sushi & Noodles and a $50 gift certificate to Harbor Road Veterinary Hospital.

The race will be held rain or shine at Youthlinks, located at 420 Broadway in Rockland, on Saturday, April 20th at 9:30am. Participants are asked to park at OHS-East. Registration fees are $10 for Adults with a dog, $15 for Adults without a dog, and $8 for Students with or without a dog.  Pre-Registration is greatly appreciated and will be available on active.com until Friday, April 19th.  The race route, schedule of events and a link to register are available online at youthlinksonline.org/runahound5k.

The Run-A-Hound 5K is to benefit the programs of Youthlinks, a program of Broadreach Family & Community Services, which serves over 500 Mid-Coast youth a year through quality after-school enrichment programs and summer camps.  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.

One lucky winner and a travelling companion will enjoy a one-of-a-kind dream vacation in the midcoast of Maine.

Once again the Penobscot Bay Chamber of Commerce and Youthlinks have teamed up to sponsor The Maine Dream Vacation Raffle.  Proceeds benefit the free youth programs of Youthlinks and the community development work of the Chamber.

The amazing prize package is made possible through the generous donations of local businesses. The lucky winner and companion will enjoy three nights at the Samoset Resort on the Ocean, including a round of golf.  They will dine each night at a different restaurant: La Bella Vita Ristorante, Rockport; the Craignair Inn & Restaurant, Spruce Head; and The Youngtown Inn & Restaurant, Lincolnville.

The winner will also be treated to a biplane tour over Penobscot Bay, courtesy of the Owls Head Transportation Museum, a sail aboard the Schooner Olad, Camden and passes to the Farnsworth Art Museum, Rockland.

The prize also includes round-trip airfare for two from Boston to Rockland, courtesy of Cape Air, and $500 in spending money courtesy of Bangor Savings Bank.  Travel is June 7th -10th and the drawing is in May.

This prize would make the staycation of a life time, or be a dream vacation for a lucky visitor.  “I see this as a win-win,” says Youthlinks Program Director, Amie Hutchison. “Every $25 dollars stays right in our community, encouraging development and supporting kids.  The chance to win this amazing prize is pretty great bonus.”

The price is $25 a ticket. Raffle sales are being conducted by Youthlinks through the website www.mainedreamvacationraffle.com.

Visit www.mainedreamvacationraffle.com to buy tickets and for more information (including the rules).

Proceeds of the Maine Dream Vacation Raffle benefit the community service programs of Youthlinks (www.youthlinksonline.org). Through participation in Youthlinks, Midcoast youth learn skills, build self-esteem, cultivate social responsibility, develop leadership abilities and connect to peers, adult mentors, and their communities. All Youthlinks programs are free for participating youth. 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 (www.broadreachmaine.org).