NextStep domestic Violence Project has organized a “Gathering of Reflection and Hope” for those impacted by domestic abuse, loss and isolation, on Saturday April 23rd, from 10 am – 1 pm.  This is envisioned as a quiet event at Sipp Bay preserve near Perry with music and refreshments. Advocates will be available if people wish to talk.  NextStep is partnering with Passamaquoddy Peaceful Relations Domestic and Sexual Violence Advocacy Center and Indian Township Passamaquoddy Domestic and Sexual Violence Advocacy Center.  See flyer for details.

Maine ED 2050 is a statewide project to bring communities, educators, and youth together to discuss how education and schooling can be designed for personal, civic, and economic thriving in the next few decades.  Major Maine industries from farming to healthcare are also participating in the project so we can learn how all kinds of educational experiences can develop the capacities most needed for success in Maine jobs. We invite you to sign up to participate in 1 of 3 conversations to share your experiences and perspectives to help shape the future of education in Maine:

1.  April 20, from 9-10:30 am – register here.
2.  April 27 from 12-1:30 pm – register here.
3. April 29, from 1-2:30 pm – register here.

Download this flyer to share with your organization, community, school, or circle of friends.

Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine Inc. and the Kinship Program (AFFM) are hosting their 25th Annual Spring Conference virtually with vFairs on April 22 – April 23, 2022. This conference aims to provide kinship providers, foster parents, adoptive parents and others involved in child welfare with the training needed to provide the right kind of care. Maine resource families can register for free on the website, while professionals and resource families not in Maine will be required to pay a small fee. This event will have numerous sessions from a variety of experts. Learn more here and register for the conference here.

The National Alliance for Caregiving is convening global leaders, experts, influencers, researchers, policymakers, innovators, and other stakeholders in caregiving to share their unique research, case studies, programs, interventions, and perspectives on the future of caregiving as part of this event on May 19th, 8 am — 6 pm ET. This free event will be made available to the public via Zoom and Facebook Live. The 2020 World Carers Conversation enjoyed participation of caregiving experts and stakeholders from six continents (Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, North America, South America) and fifteen countries (Australia, Canada, China, France, Ghana, India, Ireland, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States) with more than 4,000 attendees.  Click here for more information.

University of Maine Cooperative Extension will offer a webinar for home gardeners about designing welcoming landscapes, noon–1:15 p.m. April 29. “Designing Welcoming Landscapes” will offer an overview of questions and considerations when evaluating a garden space, with specific examples of ways to make landscapes more fun, comfortable and safe for all ages. Clair Ackroyd, garden designer and author, leads the workshop. Registration is required; a sliding scale fee is optional. Register on the event webpage to attend live or receive the recording link. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Pamela Hargest, 207-781-6099; extension.gardening@maine.edu.

The Machias Maine Veterans’ Home is excited to announce that funds have been procured to keep this beautiful facility open.  A 30-bed residence, the Veterans’ Home in Machias provides assisted living care as well as respite care, for those in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.  Veterans, Spouses, widows and gold star parents are eligible. Please let Lisa King,  know if you have anyone in need.

Pine Tree Legal Assistance is hiring an intake paralegal for the Machias office to replace Debi Berthiaume who has accepted the position of paralegal with Support Services for Veteran Families.  Read the full job description here. This position comes with generous benefits.  Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest, a current resume and 3 professional references to HR Director, Ms. Olesya Shkut (oshkut@ptla.org) with the copies to Managing Attorney and position supervisor Ms. Nicole GoldenBouchard (ngolden-bouchard@ptla.org) and Director of Intake Ms. Maureen Boston (mboston@ptla.org).

Be sure to visit the Event Calendars section of this newsletter to download the April Calendar of Events for Machias and Calais.