Santa heard the Christmas wishes of more than 250 children on Saturday, Dec. 7, when he visited the historic train station, Station 1898, in Machias at the invitation of the Machias Bay Chamber of Commerce.  (Photo courtesy of Machias Bay Chamber of Commerce)

The CCC Work Group which meets with Poverty Busters and TCI Resource Partners each month, usually on the first Wednesday, will be meeting in person and on the 2nd week of January owing to the New Year’s Day holiday on the first Wednesday.  We mistakenly told the group at the December meeting that the January meeting was virtual, but the calendar for this meeting is correct  — this is an in person meeting at the Machias SCEC office.  Download an agenda for this meeting.  We welcome Jace Farris to talk about the Point in Time Count starting January 22nd and continuing for another week.  Learn how you can help this effort to identify the number of homeless individuals in Washington County.  Hope to see you in person on January 8th!  Make sure to check for information pertaining to this monthly meeting in the Standing Meetings section of this Newsletter.

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January 10th, 8 – 9 am on Zoom:   Whether you’ve heard of Marie Kondo or not, the tips from this Japanese tidying expert shows how decluttering can help people clear the clutter from their homes, brains and businesses. We’ll discuss the process from emails to desktop to file cabinets, and also the methodology by asking –

Biz Fit is an informal and supportive gathering of women where we exchange ideas and share insights.  Register here.

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Make sure to check the Standing Meetings section of this newsletter for information on the next meeting of this group and the 2025 schedule.

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On December 10, the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (S.4776) officially passed the Senate! This is a monumental step forward in supporting our nation’s caregivers and older adults. Thank you to the Senate champions, staff, and advocates who made this possible. Read the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pension’s press release here. We are not done yet, and we need your continued support. We encourage you to take action and urge your Representative to vote in favor of the Older Americans Act before Congress adjourns. This bipartisan bill advances key policies to protect vital services and supports for unpaid family caregivers that are the backbone of the nation’s long-term care system.  Take action here.

AARP put together a list of the top 10 most common complaints caregivers have and what can be done about them. In the top three: dealing with uncertainty, balancing multiple responsibilities, and unexpected expenses. Read more.

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NEW Episode! #64 Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief with David Kessler, renowned authority on grief and loss. In this compelling discussion, Rosanne and David delve into the unique struggles caregivers face in their grief journey.  Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to navigate grief and emerge stronger. Listen HERE or wherever you stream your podcasts.