Start planning your Halloween costume — Trick or Treat Down Main Street is October 27th, culminating with the CCC’s Family Harvest Meal at the Lee/Pellon Center from 4 – 6 pm. Contact Christy at claurel@cccmaine.org if you’d like a table or to volunteer. Learn more in the Updates section of this newsletter.
Happy Wednesday!
New this week:
2023 Sunrise County Economic Summit
Registration is now open for Prosperity in the Long Term, Tuesday, October 24th, 9 am – 2:30 pm, in person at Cobscook Institute. Interested in learning more about Washington County’s Economy? Register here.
Recruiting & Retaining Volunteers
The Tri-State Learning Collaborative on Aging invites you to an inspiring conversation on Thursday, October 5th from 3 – 4 :30 pm on Zoom. Across our network we’re hearing from organizations and communities – especially in rural parts of our states – that they rely on volunteers to carry out their missions. But finding, engaging, and keeping volunteers can be a significant challenge. This webinar will explore how communities in rural areas are successfully recruiting volunteers and the strategies they use to keep them engaged for the long-haul! You won’t want to miss this conversation. Join us for inspiration, lessons learned, and practical strategies you can use! Register here.
Down East Hospice Volunteer Training
Download this flyer to learn more about DEHV’s 2023 fall volunteer training October 16, 18, 20, 24, 26 at Calais Community Hospital.
Meditation and Teachings
The Dharmata Foundation presents an evening with Anam Thubten, October 6th at 7 pm, hosted by UMaine Machias at the Performing Arts Center. There are three important aspects of meditation: mindful attention, open awareness and loving kindness. By practicing these, we can let go of negative mental patterns and expand our heart and mind, bringing about joy, peace and inner freedom. Learn more here. Suggested donation of $10-15 — free admission for all students.
Be in Motion – Online & In person
Gentle exercise classes can help cancer patients ease back into regular physical activity while undergoing cancer retreatment and can also help in the recovery process. Be in Motion with Samantha Williams is a weekly online exercise class offered by the Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center every Wednesday and Friday from 1 pm to 2 pm. Starting September 29, Be In Motion will also meet in person 1 pm to 2 pm at the Cobscook Institute, 10 Commissary Point Rd, Lubec, Maine with an online option. Medical clearance from a physician must be obtained before starting. This free event will be online via Zoom and is open to all. For more information about this class or if you would like to register and receive the link, please call the Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center at 664-0339 or email: info@bethwrightcancercenter.org.
Celebrate Indigenous 2023
Healthy Acadia invites you to celebrate indigenous culture and music with an array of events between October 1st and 9th on Mount Desert Island. Highlighting both the challenges and triumphs of recognition and respect, Indigenous 2023 features presentations by Elizabeth Neptune and Donna Decontie-Brown, with a live performance by Firefly the Hybrid and Family. For more information, please visit: www.fireflythehybrid.com/indigenous-2023.
Digital Inclusion Week 2023
Digital Inclusion Week (DIW) is an annual week of awareness, recognition, and celebration, and this year falls on October 2-6. Organized by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) and its 1,400+ affiliates nationwide, DIW raises awareness and promotes action for digital equity solutions. The Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) is also taking part in DIW, highlighting solutions for affordable internet access, appropriate devices, and digital skills programs around the state. Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn to receive updates during the week, and learn more about how you can help MCA and our partners light up the digital dark!
DPHC Funding Announcement
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) is providing our Downeast Public Health Council a funding opportunity. To submit an application for funding consideration, or if you have questions concerning the funding opportunity, please contact: Al May at alfred.may@maine.gov. See also: Public Timeline and Key Roles.pdf and the Funding Application. Deadline for community organizations to submit Funding Application is October 16, 2023.
SAMHSA Releases Key Survey Findings on Recovery
As part of SAMHSA’s 2023 National Recovery Month efforts, SAMHSA’s Office of Recovery has released the Recovery from Substance Use and Mental Health Problems Among Adults in the United States Report. Based on data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), an annual survey sponsored by SAMHSA, key findings from the report include:
- Recovery is real and possible – A significant majority (7 in 10) of adults who have had a mental health or substance use condition are in recovery and they represent over 50 million Americans.
- Recovery is holistic and personalized – Factors such as social supports, treatment, insurance coverage, and spirituality can be key in supporting recovery.
- Resilience can accompany recovery – People in recovery reported that their mental health and substance use were not significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Spread the word! This September and always, hope is real, and recovery is real.