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Green Power Buyers Provide Solar Mini-Grants

2006-04-19T21:50:00.000-07:00

…or How Green Kilowatts Beget More Green Kilowatts

BRUNSWICK, Maine – A recent survey revealed that half of all Mainers know that clean electricity or “green power” can be produced by the sun. But did you know that buying green power can bring MORE solar energy to Maine? Thanks to a new PV Reinvestment Fund, nonprofits and others can apply for grants of up to $3,000 to help offset the initial cost of a photovoltaic (PV) system.

The PV Reinvestment Fund has been created by a collaboration of clean electricity buyers and sellers. Together, Interface Fabrics (IF), Maine Interfaith Power and Light, Inc. (MeIPL), and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) have launched the fund with contributions totaling $20,000, derived entirely from sales of clean energy products. The Maine State Energy Program (MSEP), a division of the Maine Public Utilities Commission, provided funds for project staff and Maine Energy Investment Corporation (MEIC) is managing the Fund. The program targets Maine nonprofits, which can utilize Maine solar rebates but not the available federal tax credits.

“We know that clean electricity helps clean up Maine’s air”, said Erika Morgan, program organizer, of the Maine Energy Investment Corporation (MEIC). “Now, by plowing some of their clean electricity sales into new solar systems, these organizations are helping more Mainers make the clean energy switch. They want to show more people how beneficial and available these new, clean technologies are.”

Interface Fabrics stated the ball rolling in 2003, with a major purchase of BEF “Green Tags”. A small amount of revenue from this sale was set aside to encourage more clean energy production in Maine. “While Interface Fabrics has long been on a mission to reduce its own environmental impact, the company also wants to create a clear path for others to follow,” says Paul Bennotti, director of strategic marketing for Interface Fabrics. Interface and BEF jointly made a substantial contribution to get the Fund started.

Maine’s most active green power retailer has contributed as well. Harry Brown, Executive Director of Maine Interfaith Power and Light, Inc., added, “We’re putting our money where our mouth is. For every sale of clean electricity we’ve made since 2003, we have set aside a portion of those revenues to help put solar power on Maine roofs”.

Bonneville Environmental Foundation was one of the country’s first retail marketers of renewable energy credits (RECs), which it calls Green Tags. The foundation launched its Green Tag products in 2000, and has since become one of the most widely supported national green power options. “We have a particular affinity for our partners in Maine,” said Tom Starrs, BEF’s vice president for marketing and sales. “Interface Fabrics liked our emphasis on supporting local projects, and both MEIC and MeIPL have been very innovative and collaborative in creating the PV Reinvestment Fund. We look forward to getting more new, renewable power generation on the ground in Maine with this program.”

About the PV Reinvestment Fund
The Fund will provide small installation grants for solar electric systems on Maine nonprofits organizations and small businesses. Applicants may apply for grants of up to $3,000, at the rate of $1 per watt of new solar capacity and may combine these grants with applicable State and federal solar incentives. Information is at www.RenewMaine.org/DSC under “PV Reinvestment Fund”.

About Maine Energy Investment Corporation (MEIC) www.RenewMaine.org A Brunswick-based nonprofit, MEIC conducts public education and market development programs on a range of clean energy technologies, including green power, biodiesel and solar. The PV Reinvestment Fund is one of its solar offerings, joining other solar efforts “Downeast Solar Co-op”, “Solar for Maine Builders” and “SolarCents” solar projects.

About Maine Interfaith Power and Light (MeIPL) www.meipl.org
MeIPL is a faith-based non-profit working to help Maine people and congregations take actions against global warming. MeIPL helped create Maine’s clean electricity market in 2003 by offering the first green power products.

About Interface Fabrics (IF) www.interfacefabrics.com
Interface Fabrics is a subsidiary of Interface, Inc., a global leader in sustainable commerce with a “vision to show the entire industrial world what sustainability is in all its dimensions: people, process, product, place and profits by 2020, and in doing so, to become restorative through the power of influence.”

About Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) www.b-e-f.org
BEF, a non-profit organization, was established in 1998 to restore watershed ecosystems and further the development and use of new renewable energy resources. Through revenues generated from the sales of green power products, BEF funds projects that restore damaged watersheds and support new renewable energy projects from solar, wind and biomass. BEF pioneered the sale of Green Tags in 2000 and has helped establish national standards for green power certification and trading.

About Maine State Energy Program (MSEP) www.maine.gov/msep
MSEP serves as a point of coordination for many renewable energy projects in Maine funded by the U. S. Department of Energy. A sister program to Efficiency Maine, MSEP also provides support for the “Clean Energy Maine” campaign and the Maine Solar Rebates program.

MEDIA CONTACT:
For more information
Erika Morgan, Executive Director
Maine Energy Investment Corporation
Phone: (207) 729-9665
Fax: (207) 721-0384
E-mail: erika@RenewMaine.org
Web: www.RenewMaine.org

GrowSmart Maine & The Brookings Institution Schedule Regional Town Meetings to Discuss Links Between Maine’s Economy, Quality of Life, Taxes and Spraw

2006-04-19T11:13:00.000-07:00

The public is invited to offer their ideas at meetings next week in Aroostook County, Downeast Maine, North Central Maine, the Western Mountains region, Central Maine, the Midcoast area, Cumberland and York County. (see details below)

>CLICK HERE< to go to the complete Online Press Kit from GrowSmart Maine.

STATEWIDE -- Last fall, GrowSmart Maine, a statewide non-profit organization supporting a sustainable future for Maine and to reduce unplanned growth and sprawl, hired the Brookings Institution to undertake a major study of the relationship between future economic prosperity, the character and quality of Maine’s communities and environment, the cost and design of Maine government and the dispersal of Maine’s population into the rural countryside (sprawl). That study, together with a series of recommendations constituting a ‘Blueprint for Action’, is expected to be released this fall.

The Brookings Institution, widely considered one of the country’s leading and most respected think tanks, has engaged nine economists and researchers on the project, to add to their extensive internal capacity. Seven of those researchers are in Maine and include two former state economists. Together, they are reviewing much of the data that has been produced over the last two decades about trends in Maine, as well as producing new research in each of their study areas.

One of the key steps to producing the report is input from Maine people. Over the last six months, Brookings and GrowSmart Maine have been reaching out to groups around the state, holding over thirty informal ‘listening sessions’ with representatives of businesses, elected and appointed leaders at the state and local level, sportsmen, economists, foundations, environmentalists and many others. “We have learned an enormous amount by reaching out to people around Maine’, said Bruce Katz, VP of the Brookings Institution. ‘This is an extraordinary state with unlimited potential, if it takes the right steps and builds on its unique competitive advantages’, he added.

Alan Caron, President of GrowSmart Maine, encourages the public to attend the sessions. ‘We are working to engage Maine people in a discussion about our future’, he said. ‘We want to connect the dots between some of the challenges we face in the economy, the environment, the health of our communities, taxes and the shifting population of the state. One step we can take, as a state, is to move beyond talking about those things as though they’re all separate’.
The work of producing the report, and reaching out to Maine people, is funded and supported by a broad cross-section of the state’s businesses, foundations and conservation organizations, as well as from prominent individuals such as former Governor Angus King.

For further information, the public is encouraged to go to the GrowSmart website at www.growsmartmaine.org Attached below: Listening Sessions Schedule Brookings Report Summary

About the 'Regional Town Meetings':GrowSmart Maine & The Brookings Institution Invite You To:
A REGIONAL TOWN MEETING
ENVISION MAINE'S FUTURE
How Can We Build Prosperity Without Losing Our Unique Character?
• How can we grow in a sustainable way that protects our quality of life? • What are the connections between Maine’s economic competitiveness, our environment and quality of life, government fragmentation, and unplanned growth and sprawl?• Can Maine people work together on new approaches and a new spirit of cooperation and creativity to move the state forward toward a more hopeful future?

Come and share your ideas in a Regional Town Meeting

Northern Maine: Caribou, Houlton, Fort Kent, Caribou Regional Technology Center, Fort Kent & Houlton High Schools April 25, 7:30 – 9:00 am
Downeast: Eastport, Institute on Key Street April 25, 1:00 – 2:30 pm
Northern Central Maine: Dover-Foxcroft, Penquis Higher Education Center April 25, 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Western Mountains: Farmington, UMF Olsen Student Center April 26, 7:30 - 9:00 am Central Maine: Waterville, Colby College, Roberts Union April 26, 12:00 – 1:30 pm
Mid-Coast: Camden, Camden Opera House April 26, 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Greater Portland: Scarborough, Scarborough Public Library April 27, 7:30 – 9:00 am
Southern Mid-Coast: Brunswick, Curtis Memorial Library April 27, 12:00 – 1:30 pm
Western York: Alfred, Conant Chapel April 27, 6:30 – 8:00 pm

The Brookings Institution is reaching out to people across Maine for their ideas and suggestions. Their report will be released in September of 2006 and will include a ‘Blueprint for Action’ for Maine. The work of producing the report, and reaching out to Maine people, is funded and supported by a broad cross- section of the state’s businesses, foundations and conservation organizations, as well as from prominent individuals such as former Governor Angus King.

>CLICK HERE<>

MEDIA CONTACT:
Alan Caron, President
(207) 847.9275 x307
acaron@growsmartmaine.org

Shoestring Creative Group Opens Office in Lawrence, Kansas – the hometown of the company’s founder

2006-04-19T08:28:00.000-07:00

Portland-Based and Nationally Recognized Marketing Communications Firm Returns to its Midwest Roots

Lawrence, Kan. -- During his non-profit career, Dan Ward made two important discoveries. One was a passion for marketing, and the other was the realization most nonprofit organizations need a lot of help in their marketing efforts.

“People usually get into nonprofits because they don’t identify with the world of sales and marketing. That means that finding creative ways to drive the message home doesn’t often come naturally.”

“But you can’t get better if you neglect your marketing,” Ward says. “Every single ingredient for success – board development, name recognition, program effectiveness, volunteer recruitment, and of course fundraising – all of these become easier when the organization’s marketing is excellent.”

Ward has been in nonprofit marketing and fundraising since 1989, and has worked with organizations in Washington DC, Texas, Pennsylvania, California and Kansas. His marketing efforts have helped groups working in fields ranging from public health to environmental conservation to the fine arts. His most recent affiliation was with the Kansas Wildlife Federation in Topeka.

Nonprofit groups and state agencies in Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska will now have the chance to tap into that philosophy as well as a nation-wide network of nonprofit marketing and public relations experts. Ward – who is opening up the Lawrence office for Shoestring Creative Group – will serve as a senior project director and nonprofit marketing consultant. Shoestring is an award-winning, full-service marketing communications firm that provides marketing, public relations, advertising, graphic design and web development services to nonprofits and good causes.

“I’m excited by this partnership because as far as I’m concerned, Shoestring has exactly the right idea,” says Ward. “Far too often, nonprofits have an approach that I call ‘if you build it, they will come,’ with the notion that money and volunteers will naturally appear if you execute your programs well. Unfortunately, real life doesn’t work like that – there’s just too much competition and too little money.”

“Shoestring’s approach is that marketing isn’t an afterthought, it’s at the center of everything you do. We believe that before you do anything else, you identify your audience, and you craft strong, clear, and consistent messages that will call them to action. By teaming up with Shoestring Creative Group, I’m bringing a nationwide group of experts to the table to help our clients do that.”

Shoestring Creative Group was originally founded in Kansas City by Hannah Brazee Gregory who grew up in Lawrence, Kansas and attended the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Kansas and also worked in the university’s Office of University Relations for several years.

“It has been my goal for sometime to bring my business to my beloved hometown of Lawrence, Kansas,” says Brazee Gregory. “Our mission is to provide high-end marketing, design and public relations services to nonprofits at a price they can afford. Combine this with the fact that we only work with nonprofits and have many best practices to bring to the table, and I know we will be able to make a huge difference to the wonderful nonprofits all around the area – many of which I was involved with as a child and college student.”

Shoestring Creative Group has worked with clients across the country. The company’s central office is in Portland, Maine, with satellite offices in Carmel, Calif., Boston, and now Lawrence. The company’s website is www.shoestringgroup.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Dan Ward (in Lawrence, Kansas)
(785) 249-2165
dan@shoestringgroup.com

Hannah Brazee Gregory (in Portland, Maine)
Managing Director/Founder, Shoestring Creative Group
(207) 582-1345
hannah@shoestringgroup.com

Noah Keteyian of Midcoast Magnet at Johnson Hall Thursday

2006-04-18T12:50:00.000-07:00

GARDINER, MAINE -- The Kennebec Corridor Cultural Survey Project presents the second in a series of lectures relating to the creative economy 7 p.m. Thursday, April 20 at Johnson Hall in Gardiner.

"Midcoast Magnet: attract, retain, connect" is the title of the discussion that will be lead by Noah Keteyian, Executive Director of Midcoast Magnet.

Now that we’ve caught on to the creative economy, what do we do with it? That’s a surprisingly common question these days. It’s also a question that drove a grassroots movement from discussion group to innovator in Maine economic development.

Midcoast Magnet is an organization that’s at the center of a regional effort to fire up the economy in the coastal and inland areas surrounding Rockland, Camden and Belfast. Keteyian will tell Midcoast Magnet’s story, touching on developing community support, confronting practical challenges and future expansion. For more information call Johnson Hall at 207/582-7144 or visit www.discoverkennebec.org

Cultural Plan for Saco-Biddeford Area to be Presented to the Public

2006-04-18T11:42:00.000-07:00

SACO-BIDDEFORD -- The Twin Cities Cultural Planning Committee is pleased to announce the completion of the Twin Cities Cultural Plan. This plan lays out a bold vision for using arts and cultural resources to promote the growth of a creative economy in the Saco-Biddeford area. A public presentation of the Twin Cities Cultural Plan will be held on Tuesday, April 25, 2006.

The Twin Cities Cultural Planning Committee, comprised of more than 15 arts, cultural, educational, civic and business leaders in Saco and Biddeford, gathered a great deal of public input during the planning process. The Committee held public forum discussions, surveyed more than 60 local artists and craftspeople and more than 100 members of the general public, and staged "Milling About," a local arts and cultural showcase event that drew nearly 1,000 people to the North Dam Mill in Biddeford.

Specific recommendations made in the Cultural Plan include forming a "Creative Council" to oversee future events and programs, sponsoring public art projects, working to develop annual arts/cultural themes in the community, working with economic development interests to promote arts and culture as part of the area's appeal and developing a community cultural center. The Committee will now be taking on the name "Twin Cities Creative Council" as it implements the Cultural Plan.

The Cultural Plan has been, from its inception, a partnership between the cities of Biddeford and Saco. Mayor Mark Johnston of Saco comments: "I am delighted to see many groups coming together to showcase the cultural resources which are thriving in the Twin Cities." Biddeford Mayor Wallace Nutting adds: "The Cultural Plan provides both the foundation and the framework for the collaborative community efforts that will surely lead to fulfillment of our tremendous potential."

The plan will be presented to the public on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at 9:00 AM by David Versel, Cultural Plan Project Coordinator, and Andrea Strassner, Director of the Saco Museum. A brief presentation will also be made by Alden C. Wilson, Director of the Maine Arts Commission. The event will be held in the showroom of Kilconn Creations, a custom leather products company located in the Riverdam Millyard at 24 Pearl Street in Biddeford. Following the presentation, Steven Sobol, owner of the Riverdam Millyard, will lead a brief tour of the facility.

To view a full copy of the Twin Cities Cultural Plan, please visit the project website at: www.twincitiescreative.org .

DIRECTIONS TO RIVERDAM MILLYARD, 24 PEARL STREET, BIDDEFORD:
From the South:
-Take Maine Turnpike Exit 32 (Biddeford), turn left at light onto Route 111 East
-Go about one mile, turn left onto Elm Street/Route 1 North
-Go about one mile, past traffic light at Main Street. Second street on right past Main Street is Pearl Street (just past Dunkin' Donuts on the
left)
-Go straight on Pearl Street all the way to its end at the Saco River. Building entrance will be marked.

From the North:
-Take Maine Turnpike Exit 36 (Saco/Old Orchard Beach). Exit puts you on I-195
-Take I-195 to second exit, Route 1 South towards Downtown Saco.
-Follow Route 1 through Saco, over Saco River and into Biddeford
-Pass under black railroad bridge and take first left past bridge on Lincoln Street
-Take first left onto Pearl Street. Go all the way to its end at the Saco River. Building entrance will be marked.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
David E. Versel, Project Coordinator
Twin Cities Creative Council
Tel (207) 590-8617
dversel@yahoo.com

Maine Philanthropy Center Publishes 5th Edition of Director of Maine Grantmakers

2006-04-14T07:13:00.000-07:00

The Directory of Maine Grantmakers, 5th Edition is now available. The Directory contains up-to-date profiles of more than 350 Maine grantmakers, Maine corporate foundations, corporate giving programs and grantmakers located outside of Maine that have a granting history in Maine.

Each listing includes selected information on grantmakers, such as staff contact, principal funding areas, application procedures and deadlines, sample grants, and financial data.
The Directory of Maine Grantmakers is the most comprehensive resource of its kind. It is designed to help public and private grantmakers and nonprofits identify common areas of interest. The Directory also contains a field of interest index and a guide for beginners.
The Directory is available to Maine Philanthropy Center members for $40 and nonmembers for $60.

To order visit MPC’s Web site at www.mainephilanthropy.org.

The Directory is also offered in an online version to MPC members. The Online Directory of Maine Grantmakers is a searchable format and is updated regularly. To learn more about the Online Directory and other MPC’s grantmaker and associate memberships benefits, please call 207.780.5039 or visit www.mainephilanthropy.org.

CONTACT:
General Inquiries
mpc@mainephilanthropy.org
Phone: 207-780-5039

ZOEY'S ROOM OFFERS FREE WEB SEMINAR

2006-04-10T05:59:00.000-07:00

GIRLS & INTERNET SAFETY: QUICKIE LUNCH-TIME SEMINAR EASES PARENTS’ FEARS

Rockland, Maine - Apr 10, 2006 Zoey’s Room, an interactive online community for ‘tween girls, is rapidly becoming a leading expert on girls’ issues stemming from the Internet, including cyber-bullying and the pitfalls of MySpace communication. Starting Thursday May 4 at 12 noon, and repeating every Thursday of that month, Erin Reilly, Executive Director of Zoey’s Room, will conduct a FREE half-hour online seminar titled “Internet Safety for Girls” with a virtual walk through the features of Zoey’s Room that are monitored and protected.

“Lately we’ve been hearing so many horror stories about Myspace and other chat rooms cropping up in the news,” said Reilly, “and parents and educators have admitted they know so little about this technology, they are afraid for their daughters to even use the Internet. I wanted to arm them with a little knowledge so they can teach their girls how to protect themselves. At the same time, I want parents and educators to know more about how Zoey's Room is keeping girls safe. And the way we’re going to do this is so easy and convenient. People can eat a sandwich at their desks while they’re logged into this web seminar.”

Reilly, who has more than 10 years of experience studying girls' issues and multimedia, co-founded Zoey’s Room with business partner Vinitha Nair in 2001. The program, geared to get girls into technology in Maine, has since spread nationally and has expanded to include math, engineering and science. Fewer than a dozen Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) websites are currently available online for ‘tween girls right now. Of them all, Zoey’s Room is the only character-driven website that features a multicultural character “Zoey” who appeals to both rural and urban ‘tweens. The website is being touted as one of the safest STEM interactive communities around. Its unique registration process ensures the identity of every single girl by verifying her identity twice, once with a parent, and second with a trusted school or organization. The chat room, which is the glue to get girls engaged in the site, is monitored every day after school and chat transcripts are reviewed daily by staff.

How do I sign up?Anyone who would like to register for this opportunity may email programzr@zoeysroom.com or call 207-594-1842 to specify which Thursday in May is preferred. Check out the home page of www.zoeysroom.com to see recent articles on MySpace.com and other Internet issues affecting girls.

Can't make this event...but I know a special girl in my life who'd love this program!Go to Zoey's Room and click on Join Now. Register and pay for that special girl online or download a paper registration and mail it in.
Take me to Zoey's Room...

About Platform Shoes Forum
Founded in 2003, http://www.platformshoes.org

MEDIA CONTACT:

Erin B. Reilly
Executive Director
email: erin@zoeysroom.com
phone: 207-594-1842

Community Forum April 19: "Designing Healthy Communities: Raising Healthy Kids"

2006-04-07T10:44:00.000-07:00

(Gardiner, Maine) Healthy Communities of the Capital Area will hold a forum on the built environment and its impact on health, particularly the health of young people.
– Local officials and public health experts will come together on April 19 for an open forum to discuss the many health issues facing children in the capital area that are related to community design.

Attendees will hear from Representative Lisa Miller on state initiatives, from Joan Orr, from the Maine Center from Public Health, on trends and approaches to addressing physical inactivity, from the Safe Routes to School initiative and local success stories.

“Designing Healthy Communities: Raising Healthy Kids” is the theme for this year’s National Public Health Week, April 3 to 9. During the month of April , the American Public Health Association and Healthy Communities of the Capital Area encourage residents to take action to change the built environment and improve kids’ heath.

WHO:
Healthy Communities of the Capital Area
WHAT:
Forum on Community Design and Children’s
Health and Annual Meeting

WHERE:
The William S Cohen Community Center
Town Farm Rd
Hallowell Maine

WHEN:
April 19, 2006 3:30 – 5:30 PM

For tips on designing healthy communities, visit the National Public Health Week Web site at www.nphw.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Sarah Shed
582-6738
s.shed@healthycommunitiesme.org

Maine AmeriCorps Program Seeks Host Sites for 43 Members

2006-04-04T08:58:00.000-07:00

PORTLAND, Maine – The Community Resource Corps (CRC) announced today that under its $1.5 million AmeriCorps grant, it is seeking to place 43 full-time AmeriCorps members for fall placement. Applications from organizations that have the capacity to utilize an AmeriCorps member for a 1,700-hour, 11-month position are being accepted through May 5, 2006.

CRC has been granted $500,000 per year by the Maine Commission for Community Service to fund 43 AmeriCorps Members. Each member will serve one year with an organization committed to providing critical needs in the areas of youth service, preventative health care, affordable housing, domestic violence, energy conservation, and many others.

“In previous years the Community Resource Corps has funded 12 AmeriCorps members at youth serving organizations in southern Maine. We are pleased that this grant will allow us to expand our current AmeriCorps project statewide and extend it beyond the scope of youth service to include the many other needs of Maine people,” said Steve Niles, CRC Program Director.

AmeriCorps is a national service program with a large network of members and non-profits who work on meeting the country’s most critical community needs. AmeriCorps host sites typically have AmeriCorps members work on projects that will increase the capacity of the organization. Member activities include recruitment, management and retention of volunteers, community outreach and education, and strengthening the capacity of the organizations they serve. There is a cost share requirement per host site.

If you would like to learn more about sponsoring an AmeriCorps member, please call Sarah at 207-775-5891, ext. 448 or visit www.trcme.com/crc for more details.

# # #

MEDIA CONTACT:
Sarah Brady
AmeriCorps Program Coordinator
Training Resource Center
Phone: 207-775-5891, ext 448
sarah.brady@trcme.com

Improving Economic Opportunities for Maine Businesses

2006-03-30T14:17:00.000-08:00

Next Business Breakfast Series Slated for April 13

WATERVILLE, March 30 — Thomas College, in partnership with the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce, will hold the April edition of its Business Breakfast Series on Thursday, April 13.

The presentation, titled, “How to Improve Maine’s Economic Opportunities for Maine Businesses Through our State Legislature,” will illustrate how businesses can make a difference at the state level.

Edward McLaughlin, president and CEO of Alliance for Maine’s Future (AMF), will lead the discussion. McLaughlin will discuss MERI’s rating system that holds Maine’s legislators accountable in the business community by tracking their legislative votes. AMF is a get-out-to-vote organization that focuses on the education of workers.

The presentation will be held in the Atrium at Thomas’ Student Center building on the Thomas campus located at 180 West River Road in Waterville. The public is invited to attend. The event begins at 7:30 a.m.

The cost per person is $13 for members with advanced registration, $15 for members at the door and $18 for non-members. Contact the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce at 873-3315 or info@midmainechamber.com for registration information.

The sponsors for the Business Breakfast Series are: Boothby & Bartlett Insurance Company, Kennebec Federal Savings, PFBF Certified Public Accountants, UniTel Inc. and Weeks & Hutchins.

Thomas is a private, career-oriented college that prepares its students for careers in business, technology and education and guarantees employment within 90 days of graduation. For more information about Thomas, please visit www.thomas.edu.

###

MEDIA CONTACT:
Rhonda Morin
Director of Communications
Thomas College
180 West River Road
Waterville, ME 04901
Rhonda.Morin@thomas.edu
Phone 207-859-1221
Fax 207-859-1114
www.thomas.edu

Maine State Troopers BLUE Ribbon Relay to Prevent Child Abuse & Neglect

2006-03-29T10:40:00.000-08:00

To highlight awareness of child abuse and neglect prevention activities in Maine, our State Troopers will be engaged in the Third Annual “Blue Ribbon Relay” to the State House this Thursday, March 30, 2006. Troopers will arrive at the State Capital at 1:00pm where a rally will be held in the Hall of Flags. Governor Baldacci is expected to declare April as child abuse prevention month and several other key speakers will speak to advocates about the need for and value of prevention. County prevention councils will display their programs throughout the afternoon.

The Hancock County Children’s Council and Maine State Troopers are co-hosting a community rally at the Down East Family YMCA, State Street, in Ellsworth at 10:00am. This year’s theme is “Safe Children and Healthy Families is a Shared Responsibility”. Each rally will last no longer than 30 minutes, and all are invited to attend. In Ellsworth, child care youngsters will meet the State Troopers, invite them for a snack, and each child will receive a book, frisbee and stickers.

Jan Clarkin, Executive Director for the Maine Children’s Trust, said the Troopers will be joined by local child abuse and neglect prevention councils and their community partners who will present the Troopers with a piece of a puzzle. The puzzle, when assembled in Augusta, will form a blue ribbon – the symbol for child abuse and neglect prevention. Clarkin said millions of people across the country have participated in Blue Ribbon campaigns by wearing the ribbons and getting involved in community activities to remind people that they can help prevent child abuse in their communities.

Clarkin said, “The Maine Children’s Trust and the Maine Association of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Councils are co-sponsoring the relay to bring awareness that child abuse and neglect is preventable and happens at the community level. Prevention efforts build on family strengths. Through prevention activities such as parent education, home visitation and parent support groups, many families are able to find the support they need to stay together and care for their children in their homes and communities.”

Child Abuse Prevention Month in April is an opportunity to focus on “Safe Children and Healthy Families Are a Shared Responsibility”. This is also an opportunity to share our appreciation for the caring efforts by our local and state law enforcement members engaged in assisting local families.

In Maine, the blue ribbon has been adopted as an awareness symbol to Prevent Child Abuse. In 1989, Bonnie W. Finney of Virginia tied a blue ribbon to the antenna of her van. When asked about it, she told people the tragic story of the abuse of her grandchildren, and the resulting death of her grandson. Since then, millions of people across the country have participated in Blue Ribbon campaigns by wearing the ribbons and getting involved in community activities to remind people that they can help prevent child abuse in their communities.

Ms. Finney originally chose blue to remind herself of the bruised bodies of her grandchildren. In recent years, some organizations have chosen to reinvent the symbol using a strength-based approach to celebrate “blue ribbon parents”, “blue ribbon kids” or “blue ribbon communities” that find new and innovative ways to support families.

To learn more about child abuse and neglect prevention activities in Hancock County, please contact Candy Eaton at the Hancock County Children’s Council, 667-5304 ext. 261 or email: children@downeasthealth.org.

April is National Prevent Child Abuse Month

Museum of Lighthouse History Offers Unique Learning Experience

2006-03-28T15:05:00.000-08:00

Just what kind of people served at America’s light stations since 1716?

How did these brave keepers of the light cope with powerful storms, isolation and hardship?

Did you ever wonder what kind of equipment was used to send out the light that helped save ships from the dangers of the sea?

The answers to these and many other fascinating lighthouse questions are waiting to be discovered at the www.lighthousefoundation.org

Foundation 51 Funds Nine Grants Totaling $16,130 for Cumberland/North Yarmouth School District

2006-03-28T14:58:00.000-08:00

Grants awarded to arts, music, and literature programs to support all schools in the MSAD 51 school system CUMBERLAND/NORTH YARMOUTH

Foundation 51 has announced the recipients of the Spring 2006 grants cycle, with $16,130 awarded to nine grant applicants within the Cumberland/North Yarmouth school community. Foundation 51 is a non-profit organization founded to promote educational excellence within Maine School Administrative District 51, serving students from Cumberland and North Yarmouth. Teachers, students, parents, and community members are eligible to apply for grants twice a year; the spring 2006 grant recipients are as follows:

Mabel I. Wilson School, for a program entitled "Celebrating the Arts and Literature," which will provide hands-on experiences in the classroom with artists and performers from the community.
North Yarmouth Memorial School, to purchase a tuba for the fifth-grade school band.
Greely Middle School, to purchase two sets of books that were nominated for the Maine State Book Award.
Greely Middle School, to fund a two-day poetry-writing workshop.
Greely Middle School, to fund admission costs for a seventh-grade field trip to the Peabody Essex Museum and Yin Yu Tang House.
Greely High School/Greely Middle School, in cooperation with the PTO, to fund a bullying prevention workshop.
Greely High School, to fund a permanent recording system in the band room.
Greely High School, to purchase personal white board sets for the math program.
Greely High School, Kurzweil software program to aid struggling readers.

"This round of grants allowed us to make some rewarding contributions to arts and music programs in the district," says Anne Graham, President of Foundation 51.

"We also were pleased to provide additional funding to a PTO-sponsored program on bullying prevention, which is not only a worthy cause, but a great way for our two groups to work together on behalf of our community. As always, we are grateful to the generosity of our community to enable us to reach out and fund these important programs for all of the kids in our district."

About Foundation 51
Foundation 51 was established in 1998 to promote educational excellence in MSAD 51 by funding initiatives that improve teaching and learning and by inspiring community involvement for the benefit of our schools. To date, the Foundation has funded more than $206,000 in school activities, learning programs, and supplies to the local Cumberland-North Yarmouth schools. For more information, visit www.foundation51.org.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Anne Graham
207.846.0049
apg1@maine.rr.com
Alison Harris
207.829.4500
alison@harrismediaservices.com

Maine Library Association Members to Raise Funds for Gulf Coast Libraries Devastated by Hurricanes

2006-03-28T14:45:00.000-08:00

The Maine Library Association (MLA) has announced the MAINE LIBRARIES HELPING GULF LIBRARIES project. Participating Maine Libraries and Library Friends Groups across the state will hold fundraisers the week beginning April 22 and ending April 29, 2006. The list of participating Libraries is posted on the MLA website at www.mainelibraries.org . Maine Libraries and Library Friends Groups are participating in this project specifically to help rebuild libraries devastated by the hurricanes last year. The purpose of this project is to raise money for the affected libraries. The libraries in the Gulf region need money more than anything else right now. Many of these libraries do not even have the basics such as a roof or electricity.

Therefore, MLA member libraries are not collecting books or other goods to be sent to the gulf region but are focusing on raising money that the libraries can use to get back into operation. The funds raised will be divided between the Louisiana Library Association Hurricane Relief fund and the Mississippi Library Association Hurricane Relief fund. Some participating Maine Libraries have “adopted” a Gulf library and will use the money they raise during the MAINE LIBRARIES HELPING GULF LIBRARIES project at their libraries to directly help their adopted libraries. For more information or to register your Library in the MAINE LIBRARIES HELPING GULF LIBRARIES project, please contact MLA President Pamela Turner at pturner@baxter-memorial.lib.me.us or 207/839-5031.

Shoestring Creative Group selected by seeMOMMYrun.com

2006-03-28T14:34:00.000-08:00

PORTLAND, MAINE -- Shoestring Creative Group of Portland has been selected as the public relations and advertising agency for seeMOMMYrun.com – a Virginia-based national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of mothers and children by providing easy access to family-friendly fitness groups. Projects will include a national awareness campaign and high-profile cause marketing corporate partnerships.

seeMOMMYrun.com is an informational Web portal that allows moms to communicate and make their own arrangements for running or walking together in groups. The web site accommodates its members' geographic needs, time restraints, and fitness abilities without having to spend time away from their children because moms in every area or neighborhood can start a group convenient for themselves. seeMOMMYrun.com’s mission is to help moms in every community, no matter their social status, cultural background, or income level build lifelong social networks, maintain active lifestyles and be positive role models for their families and friends. The organization recently expanded its running and walking services to reach across 50 states. Plans are in place to expand services to international locations. For more information, go to www.seeMOMMYrun.com.

Shoestring Creative Group is a Portland-based marketing communications firm that serves nonprofit organizations and the businesses that support them, with special emphasis on cause marketing partnerships and grassroots communications initiatives. For more information, go to www.shoestringgroup.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Hannah Gregory
Shoestring Creative Group
207/582-1345
hannah@shoestringgroup.com

Maine Handicapped Skiing Breaks All Fundraising Records for 21st Anniversary Ski-A-Thon

2006-03-23T07:56:00.000-08:00

Maine Handicapped Skiing, Maine’s largest year-round adaptive recreation program for adults and children with physical disabilities, had their best fundraising event in 21 years, raising $316,644 in pledges at their 21st anniversary Ski-A-Thon, Saturday, March 18th at Sunday River Ski Resort and Sunday River Inn and Cross Country Ski Center. Over 650 skiers and riders and 110 volunteers from Maine and New England participated in the Ski-A-Thon.
Highlights of the event included free massages all day by the massage therapists of the Maine Sports Massage Team, a fantastic on-slope skiing Obstacle Course, built and operated by the Parrot Head Club of Maine and a Fun Race at Monday Mourning Race Course.

The top fundraising team, Lincoln Loggers, won the grand prize for fundraising with $22,097, earning a 5 day skiing and 4 days lodging package for five at an eastern ski resort. Andrew Pipe, part-time Bethel resident and UK citizen,was the top individual fundraiser at $17,505, earning a RCI timeshare anywhere in the world, donated by Maggie Salter. Mr. Pipe beat out Craig Cooper, the top Ski-A-Thon fundraiser for Maine Handicapped Skiing for the last six years. A special “Take The Craig Cooper Challenge” designed to beat Mr. Cooper in 2006 generated a great deal of publicity. Mr. Pipe, a participant in the Maine Handicapped Skiing program, very generously took the “Challenge” and won this year’s top individual fundraising spot. Marvin Collins, Vice President of Operations at Sunday River Ski Resort, accepted Maine Handicapped Skiing’s 110% Award given to individuals, businesses or organizations who have given extraordinary service to MHS. Sunday River Ski Resort has been the major sponsor and supporter of the Ski-A-Thon for 21 years. Sunday River Ski Resort provided free lift tickets to skiers and riders at the Ski-A-Thon.

Sunday River Inn and Cross Country Ski Center, home of MHS’s cross country skiing and snowshoeing program, provided passes for the cross country skiers participating in the Ski-A-Thon. To learn more about Maine’s largest one day fundraising event or to receive information on becoming a volunteer or a participant in Maine Handicapped Skiing’s adaptive recreational program for adults and children with physical disabilities, please call 800-639-7770, email MHS at info@skimhs.org or check out the MHS website at www.skimhs.org .

Joan Klayman and Craig Given Join Youth Alternatives Management Team

2006-03-23T07:52:00.000-08:00

Portland, Maine -- Joan Klayman and Craig Given have joined Youth Alternatives, a nationally accredited provider of services to children, youth and families throughout Maine, as the vice president of community and prevention services and director of information technology, respectively.

Klayman Assumes Vice President Role Joan Klayman of South Portland joins Youth Alternatives’ senior management team as the vice president of community and prevention services. With her strong background in program development and clinical services, she will provide leadership and direction to the agency’s many community and prevention programs. She comes to Youth Alternatives from the Center for Tobacco Independence, where she directed the development, implementation and delivery of the statewide, evidence-based tobacco treatment and training programs for healthcare professionals.

Prior to that she was a program manager at Ingraham. Given To Direct Information Technology Efforts Craig Given, of Scarborough, will lead and oversee the information and technology strategy for the entire agency. An experienced IT manager, he comes to Youth Alternatives with more than a decade of experience helping non-profit organizations identify and implement new technologies to enable greater productivity and efficiency. Most recently, he was the director of information technology for VSA arts, Inc., in Washington, D.C. “These two hires represent an important investment in our agency’s ability to create opportunities and transform lives for Maine’s most vulnerable children, youth and families,” noted agency president, Michael J. Tarpinian. “Joan and Craig bring the clinical, strategic and technical expertise we need to create innovative new programming and to deliver and track more impressive outcomes for the kids and families we serve.”

Youth Alternatives, a nonprofit social service agency founded in 1972, advances safe, happy, healthy childhoods and positive family relationships. Through its comprehensive continuum of care, Youth Alternatives creates homes for vulnerable children and youth; supports families in need, conflict or crisis; reaches out to homeless youth; provides substance abuse treatment; and ensures safety by working to prevent child abuse and neglect. Through its programs, Youth Alternatives serves more than 6,100 children, youth and family members throughout Maine each year. Youth Alternatives relies on the support of our community, individuals, corporations, foundations and community groups.

Contact
Stacy Karp Mosher at Youth Alternatives (207) 874-1175 ext. 223

Maine Association of Retirees (MAR) Holds Aroostook County Regional Meeting

2006-03-23T07:47:00.000-08:00

The Maine Association of Retirees (MAR) will hold its Regional Meeting for Aroostook County MAR members on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Northern Maine Community College (Reed Commons Cafeteria) in Presque Isle, Maine. The speaker for this meeting will be Sergeant Joe Seeley of the Presque Isle Police Department, and the topic will be Preventing Fraud and Identity Theft. A $2.00 fee will be received from all attendees at the door. A wonderful luncheon will be served. All Aroostook County MAR Members are encouraged to attend for valuable information, the social interaction of seeing old friends and acquaintances, and a well-prepared meal.

Contact
Florence Hoover
Maine Association of Retirees
(207) 582-1960

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Supports Effort to Unite U.S. Nonprofits

2006-03-23T07:43:00.000-08:00

Washington, DC (March 20, 2006) – The Nonprofit Congress, an initiative of the National Council of Nonprofit Associations (NCNA), is awarded $75,000 from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to unite America’s diverse nonprofit organizations. The Maine Association of Nonprofits is a member of NCNA.

The grant fulfills a $75,000 matching grant from the Nonprofits’ Insurance Alliance of California (NIAC) and Alliance of Nonprofits for Insurance, Risk Retention Group (ANI-RRG).
“Nonprofit organizations play an irreplaceable role in our society and democracy," said David Lane, Director of Foundation Advocacy for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. "We are proud to support the Nonprofit Congress’s efforts to help the nonprofit sector speak in a clear, booming voice about the vital needs it is addressing in our communities—and the vital partnership it requires from the public and private sectors.”

The Nonprofit Congress seeks to organize and empower nonprofits of all sizes and stripes, particularly the small and midsize charitable organizations that comprise almost 80 percent of the nation’s nonprofits.

“We are delighted that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has matched our contribution. The Nonprofit Congress will reenergize and refocus the social sector and renew our appreciation of the power of working together for the greater good,” said Pamela Davis, president and CEO of NIAC and ANI-RRG.

Specifically, this funding will support the initiative’s efforts to gather input from the many Town Halls that are planned across the country that will inform the national meeting and result in a public policy platform for the nonprofit sector.

The Nonprofit Congress is seeking the input of U.S. nonprofits in identifying common bonds and priorities for the nonprofit sector. Individuals and organizations can get involved by signing the initiative’s Declaration for America’s Nonprofits, participating in local Town Hall meetings across the nation, attending the Nonprofit Congress national meeting in October 16 – 17, in Washington, DC, and by providing their input online through discussion forums and a blog on the Nonprofit Congress website.

“It’s clear from what we’ve heard so far that nonprofits are affirmed when they discover the commonalities that link us all together,” said Audrey R. Alvarado, Ph.D., executive director of NCNA. “Their common ideals and concerns – which we’re uncovering now in our Town Halls – create the foundation that will ultimately create the vision and aspirations we have for the sector’s future.”

There are a total of 837,027 charitable nonprofits in the U.S. today, according to the United States Nonprofit Sector, a report recently published by NCNA.

To learn more about the Nonprofit Congress, visit www.nonprofitcongress.org.
The Nonprofit Congress, an initiative of the National Council of Nonprofit Association, seeks to unite America’s diverse nonprofit organizations. In the best spirit of democracy, the Nonprofit Congress is helping nonprofit leaders and allies in communities across the country come together to forge a common identity based on shared values, develop a unified vision and message, and exercise a collective voice.

Founded in 2000, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation promotes greater equity in four primary areas: global health, education, public libraries, and assistance for vulnerable children and families in Washington state and greater Portland, Oregon. The foundation joins local, national, and international partners to ensure that advances in these areas reach those who need them most. The foundation is led by co-chairs Bill Gates, Melinda Gates, and William H. Gates Sr., and by CEO Patty Stonesifer.

TO GET LOCAL REACTION TO THIS NEWS, CONTACT:
Scott Schnapp
Maine Association of Nonprofits
(207) 871-1885

seeMOMMYrun.com Helps Moms in Maine and all 50 States Make Fitness A Family Priority

2006-03-23T07:30:00.000-08:00

Washington, D.C. -- seeMOMMYrun.com, an Internet-based non-profit organization has now expanded their running and walking services to reach mothers in Maine and across 50 states. seeMOMMYrun is a free service that provides a family-style social and fitness outlet via the Internet. Outlets such as seeMOMMYrun provide universal ways for moms of all ages and stages to meet other women and build a strong support network. It is the mission of seeMOMMYrun.com to help moms in every community build lifelong friendships, maintain active lifestyles and act as positive role models for their families and friends. Most importantly, the groups demonstrate healthy habits to children starting at a very young age – teaching them dedication, positive body image, and even mind/body balance. Children who watch their mothers’ weekly motivation and dedication are much less likely to lead sedentary lives, thus avoiding the nationwide childhood obesity epidemic.

“Not only do walking and running groups provide important social interaction for mothers and their children, group fitness for new mothers also helps fend off post-partum depression. Mothers are the first and most important role models to start healthy habits for their children. I have witnessed first-hand the amazing effects participation in seeMOMMYrun groups has on the kids. Some of the children play their own seeMOMMYrun games while pushing dolls in strollers. Other children try to strap on mommy’s running shoes or fetch daddy’s running shoes when they see him putting on his workout clothes. Many of them even ask mom which day they will be meeting with the running ladies,” explains Andrea Vincent, found of seeMOMMYrun.com. “Because seeMOMMYrun involves physical exercise, you know for certain that the moms you meet will at least have one thing in common – they want to stay healthy! Most moms who are active provide their families with a healthy balanced diet as well.”

seeMOMMYrun first launched its web site in the metro D.C. and northern Virginia areas in July 2004 and due to demands from moms everywhere now has 12,000+ members participating in 1,200+ groups across 50 States. Andrea Vincent, founder of seeMOMMYrun.com had recently moved to a new state and become pregnant. She had no social network or running buddies, so she built a web site in hopes of meeting a handful of running moms. The web site accommodates its members’ geographic needs, time restraints, and fitness abilities without having to spend time away from their children because moms in every area or neighborhood can start a group convenient for themselves. The seeMOMMYrun.com web site is a free service built by a first-time mom who found it difficult to find other moms interested in running regularly while pushing their children in jogging strollers, or (on a really good day) not having to push the added 35+ pounds in a stroller!

About seeMOMMYrun.com
seeMOMMYrun.com is an informational Web portal that allows moms to communicate and make their own arrangements for running or walking together in groups. The site provides interactive schedules, group sign-ups, local race schedules, and advice for active moms who want to include baby in their workout routines. The site helps women stay motivated and dedicated to staying fit while also forming like-minded friendships for mom and baby. Visit us online at http://www.seemommyrun.com/ for more information about groups in 50 states in the U.S. with remaining states, Canada, and South Africa currently in development.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Hannah Gregory
Shoestring Creative Group
hannah@shoestringgroup.com
207/582-1345

PLANET DOG FOUNDATION LENDS A PAW

2006-03-23T07:25:00.000-08:00

$10,000 in Grants Unleashed in First Cycle

Portland, ME (March 2006) - The Planet Dog Foundation (PDF), Planet Dog's non-profit arm, is proud to announce the recipients of their first grant cycle. Chenny Troupe, the National Education for Assistance Dog Service (NEADS), Puppies Behind Bars and Western Montana Search Dogs have each been awarded $2,500 by PDF to support their efforts.

The mission of the Planet Dog Foundation is to promote and celebrate programs in which dogs serve and support their best friends. "We received over 100 proposals from non-profit organizations all over the country that share our mission and are in need of funding help," says Kristen Smith, PDF's Executive Director. "It is clear to us that there is a need for philanthropic outreach in this arena and we are excited to help fill the void," adds Smith.

Launched in 1991, the Chenny Troupe (www.chennytroupe.org) is a Chicago-based network of dedicated volunteers and their certified therapy dogs that offers rehabilitative therapy to people with physical and emotional challenges. Chenny Troupe provides interactive, Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT), a goal-directed intervention in which a trained, certified dog is an integral part of a rehabilitation or treatment process. Their structured visitation schedule includes hospitals, rehabilitation centers for victims of serious trauma and programs for at-risk youth and recovery centers.

"The grant from the Planet Dog Foundation will help enable our volunteers and dogs to restore health and hope to our clients," says Janet Rosen Eaton, the Executive Director of the Chenny Troupe. In addition to the grant, PDF will also donate Planet Dog products for their Heeling Hearts benefit and other fundraising events.

For 30 years the National Education for Assistance Dog Service (NEADS)/Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans (www.neads.org) has been helping children and adults who are deaf or physically disabled live more mobile, social and independent lives through partnership with a dog individually trained for their lifestyle and assistive needs. At their Puppy Nursery and Early Learning Center in Central Massachusetts, puppies from age 8-16 weeks live and learn obedience and basic training skills, embark on frequent field trips to enhance socialization skills, and do therapy visits at a wide variety of facilities. Part of the PDF grant will also be used to sponsor a puppy in training. PDF's long-term goal is to create a self-sustaining puppy sponsorship program at Planet Dog funded entirely by employees to sponsor a puppy in training each year.

"The puppies in our Puppy Early Education and Training Program and the children and adults they assist will all benefit from the grant from the Planet Dog Foundation," says Joyce Schmitt, the Director of Resource Development. "And both will enjoy the Planet Dog product donation - leash and collar sets for all graduates (about 50 a year)," adds Schmitt.

Since 1997, Puppies Behind Bars (PBB) (www.puppiesbehindbars.com) has been training prison inmates to raise guide dogs for the blind and explosive detection canines for law enforcement. Because the puppies also need to be socialized to city life and acclimated to urban environments, puppies spend weekends with volunteers in New York City where PBB is based. These volunteers couple city socialization trips with visits to the often forgotten homebound elderly as part of the “Paws and Reflect” Elder Visitation Program which the PDF grant will be used to support.

"As the inmates raise their puppies, they work to benefit the outside community and in addition, towards their own rehabilitation," says Gloria Gilbert Stoga, the President of Puppies Behind Bars. "This grant will help spread the unconditional warmth that the pups bring to their inmate puppy raisers to the homebound elderly," adds Stoga. PDF will also make product donations to PBB.

Western Montana Search Dogs (WMSD) (www.westernmontanasearchdogs.org) is a volunteer, nonprofit organization based in Gallatin County Montana that provides trained search dogs to requesting agencies. Their handler/dog teams are specially trained and certified in avalanche rescue, air-scenting, trailing/tracking, water recovery, article/evidence retrieval and human remains recovery. WMSD works in conjunction with many other special search and rescue resources, including ground and air search teams, divers, and oversnow rescue.

"Because we are a volunteer organization with no paid staff and all our services are free of charge, we rely entirely on the efforts of our handler/dog teams as well as financial support from organizations such as the Planet Dog Foundation," says Bonnie Gafney, a member and one of WMSD's certified teams along with Smokey and Auggie (her canine partners). "The PDF grant will be used to purchase standardized GPS Units for our active handler/dog teams and to purchase bear spray for wilderness protection," adds Gaffney.

Planet Dog is a socially responsible designer, manufacturer and retailer of award-winning products for dogs. A percentage of every Planet Dog purchase goes directly to PDF to support the grantmaking program.

"As a small company doing big things, we are supporting like-minded organizations that will most benefit from our support," says Alex Fisher, Planet Dog's co-founder and Chief Creative Officer. "From the beginning, we knew we wanted to build a socially responsible company that not only enhanced the lives of dogs and their people, but one that also improved the world around us by giving back," adds Fisher.

To learn more about the Planet Dog Foundation, please visit www.planetdogfoundation.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Katie LeBel
Planet Friendly Public Relations
207-563-7695
katie@planetfriendlypr.com

Finance & Risk Management Essentials for Nonprofit Leaders 2006 Regional Conference

2006-03-23T07:17:00.000-08:00

Finance & Risk Management Essentialsfor Nonprofit Leaders
June 14-15, 2006
The Colony Hotel
Kennebunkport, ME

Brought to you by the Maine Association of Nonprofits and the Risk Management Center

This conference will focus on how your nonprofit can integrate sound finance and risk management principles into your day-to-day operations. Learn what steps are needed to achieve a greater measure of accountability and harness practical tools to strengthen your mission. The conference offers a time and place for the sharing of ideas, the opportunity to acquire information for informed decision-making and a welcoming environment for champions of effective financial management in the nonprofit sector. The conference is designed for nonprofit CFOs, finance professionals, CEOs, program managers, board members, department heads and professional advisors serving nonprofit organizations. Veteran nonprofit professionals, as well as new managers, will feel at home at this challenging, information-packed educational event.

This Training Is for:
- executive directors
- chief operating officers
- chief financial officers and treasurers
- fiscal managers
- professional risk managers
- program managers
- board members
- advisors to nonprofits

If you are responsible for finance or risk management or have volunteered as your nonprofit’s treasurer or risk management champion, don’t wait to reserve a place at this upcoming seminar. Click here to enroll today.

Keynotes:
Nonprofit Accountability & Federal Regulation of Nonprofits
Risk Management: What, When How and Why Me?
Conference Workshops
Volunteers = Risk + Reward
Contracts: What You Need to Know but Have Been Afraid to Ask
The Employment Battlefield: Avoiding Minefields
A Review of Recent Changes of A-133 and the Yellow Book
Nonprofit Accounting and Auditing Update
Form 990 as a Public Document—Your Opportunity to Tell Your Story
Maine Uniform Accounting and Auditing Practices Act for Community Agencies (MAAP)
Ask the Experts Panel

Maine Association of Nonprofits to hold annual conference in May

2006-03-23T07:12:00.000-08:00

The Maine Association of Nonprofits (MANP) is pleased to invite Maine nonprofits to join us for our 11th Annual Conference, "Managing Towards Mission in a Turbulent Environment", which will once again take place at the beautiful coastal setting of Sebasco Harbor Resort in Phippsburg on the evening of May 11 and May 12. The focus of this year’s event will be on how nonprofits can continue managing towards mission related goals in an environment that presents them with multiple challenges to achieving that goal.

This conference brings together a distinguished group of national, regional and local leaders to share information regarding some of the issues facing nonprofits, and practical ideas for addressing organizational challenges. It will also include a “Town Hall Meeting”, an opportunity for Maine nonprofit leaders to share their thoughts on the biggest challenges they are facing, which will be the Maine nonprofit sector’s opportunity to add input to a national educational and advocacy effort that will culminate in a Nonprofit Congress in Washington in October. We hope that through the many formal and informal resources and ideas that are shared at this event, nonprofit leaders will leave with the information and inspiration to help them build a more sustainable future for their organizations.

Please join your nonprofit colleagues in a beautiful coastal location to learn new ideas for operating your organization in these challenging times.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Scott Schnapp
Executive Director
Maine Association of Nonprofits
(207) 871-1885

River Tree Center for the Arts announces volunteer opportunities

2006-03-23T06:55:00.000-08:00

Kennebunk, Maine -- River Tree Center for the Arts has volunteer opportunities available for all ages, interests and availabilities. Opportunities include Gallery Greeter/Docent, Special Event Task Masters, Clerical/Office Assistants, Artist Apprentices, and Summer Concert assists. Your help is vital for RTCA to continue educating and exploring the arts! Training and some benefits are available! For more information, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator.

River Tree Center for the Arts, with the Chappell School of Music, the Irvine School of Art and the Irvine Gallery of Art, is a nonprofit organization providing accessible opportunities in the arts for everyone, is located at 35 Western Avenue in Lower Village Kennebunk. For more information please call 207-967-9120, email clabadie@rivertreearts.org, or visit www.rivertreearts.org.

The 55th Annual Colby Institute for Leadership

2006-03-23T06:52:00.000-08:00

Waterville, Maine -- Please join us on Wednesday, April 5 for this year's Institute which focuses on the Creative Economy, and it's affects on job creation in Maine. John Rohman's keynote address will feature case studies of businesses in Maine and their successes in the creative economy. A morning panel features Maine business people who are intimately involved in moving the creative economy forward in our state. Once again, Governor Baldacci will present the Governor's Awards for Business Excellence at the noon luncheon. Attached to this message is this year's brochure. You can also access the brochure and register on-line at http://www.colby.edu/leadership

--
CONTACT:
Staci Warren
Administrative Secretary
Special Programs
4730 Mayflower Hill Drive
Colby College
Waterville ME 04901
Please note new numbers:
Tel: (207)859-4730
Fax: (207)859-4734

New class of psychiatry residents named by MMC, Spring Harbor Hospital

2006-03-23T06:49:00.000-08:00

Portland, Maine (March 20, 2006) -- George McNeil, MD, director of the Psychiatry Residency Program for Maine Medical Center and Spring Harbor Hospital in Westbrook, has announced the names of the four new resident-physicians who will be arriving in June to begin their training as psychiatrists. The incoming psychiatry residents for 2006 are:

Markos Emmanouel, MD, is a graduate of Bates College in Lewiston. He received his medical degree from the University of Crete in Greece.

Maya Rydzewski, MD, attended medical university in Poland immediately upon graduating from a Massachusetts high school. Most recently, she worked as a research coordinator at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Shashidar Sheshani, MB, BS, received his medical training in India. He also holds an MPH degree from Wichita State University in Kansas.

Qun Wu, MD, PhD, was a practicing internist in China before arriving in the US. He earned his PhD in neurobiology at Illinois State University.

McNeil said all four physicians ranked in the top half of residency candidates interviewed by Maine Medical Center and Spring Harbor staff. “These are all delightful folks,” he said, “and they should make for a vibrant incoming class.”

Girard Robinson, MD, chief of psychiatry for both Maine Medical Center and Spring Harbor Hospital, attributed the outcome of this year’s residency recruitment process to the group effort of staff at the two organizations. Robinson welcomed the new residents and expressed his “congratulations and thanks to all who worked so hard to make the process successful.”

Maine Medical Center and Spring Harbor Hospital are the only teaching hospitals in Maine for physicians specializing in the fields of general and youth psychiatry. Historically, 65% of residents who graduate from the 4-year program remain in Maine to practice their specialties. This is a critical training program for the State, since Maine has fewer psychiatrists per 10,000 residents than any other New England state.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Gail Wilkerson, Chief of Planning & Development
(207) 761-2292 / (207) 767-8535 PAGER
WILKERSONG@springharbor.org

Maine Arts Commission announces Deadline for Sustaining Traditional Arts in the Communities Grant Applications

2006-03-23T06:46:00.000-08:00

Augusta, Maine -- The Maine Arts Commission has announced the deadline for Sustaining Traditional Arts in the Communities Grant Applications. All applications are due (postmark) by April 7, 2006. Sustaining Traditional Arts in the Community grants are designed to encourage communities to develop innovative ways to sustain traditional arts in their communities. The program provides grants of up to $2,000 to communities to support programs, activities or events which strengthen traditional arts in the community and help ensure the survival of valuable traditional arts. These grants require a 1:1 match. The match can be cash, in-kind, or a combination of cash and in-kind. Proposals to this program do not fit the model of Traditional Arts Apprenticeships, but rather seek new ways to ensure the transmission of culture. Interested applicants may contact Keith Ludden at 287-2713 or keith.ludden@maine.gov

FREE 4-week workshop for parents and caregivers of children age 12-36

2006-03-23T06:44:00.000-08:00

Ellsworth, ME -- The Hancock County Children’s Council invites all parents and caregivers of children age 12-36 months to join Down East Family YMCA and Parents Are Teachers Too of Hancock County in a FREE 4-week workshop for parents and caregivers of children age 12-36 months. Cathy Jacobs, RN, will focus on ways to provide developmentally appropriate care to young children.

Classes will include information and discussion about discipline, nutrition, toilet training, normal behavior and development, and everyday challenges. Specific concerns of class members will be addressed. For maximum benefit parents are urged to attend all four sessions.

Classes will be Wednesday evenings 5:30pm to 7:30pm beginning April 5, 2006 at the Down East Family YMCA, State Street, Ellsworth. Child Care will be available with advance registration. Please call Candy Eaton at 667-5304 ext 261 to register for this FREE series.
Parents Are Teachers Too (PATT) of Hancock County is a free, voluntary home visiting program offering information and support to first-time parents of all ages and income levels in Hancock County. PATT believes that the first years of life provide the foundation for all future experiences, and that parents are the most important teachers their children will ever have.
Please contact the Hancock County Children’s Council to learn about other parenting classes and workshops available in our community or visit our Parent Resource Library at 52 Christian Ridge Road, Ellsworth. Our programs are designed to help children and families live healthier lives. Hancock County Children’s Council is a community effort dedicated to strengthening families. We provide education programs to children, parents and professionals, and coordinate with schools, agencies and individuals to reach out to families in need.

Parents Are Teachers Too of Hancock County and the Hancock County Children’s Council are programs of Downeast Health Services Inc. that are unified by a common concern for the health and needs of families in our community. For additional information, please contact our website at www.downeasthealth.org or email children@downeasthealth.org

The Down East Family YMCA offers programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all including: child care, sports programs, after-school programs, teen leadership opportunities, family health, active older adults, and community collaborations. The James Russell Wiggins Downeast Family YMCA is centrally located next to the Mill Mall at the intersection of Oak and State Streets in Ellsworth. For additional information, please see www.defymca.org.

WinterKids Valentine's Fund Raising Event at Akari

2006-02-10T06:01:00.000-08:00

PORTLAND -- This year you can give yourself or your Valentine a day of beauty and help out a great non-profit organization at the same time. Sunday, February 12th from9:00 am til 5:00 pm the staff at Akari on Fore Street in Portland will be deeply discounting services and donating 100% of the proceeds to benefit WinterKids, the 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to helping Maine students stay active and healthy in the winter and develop liefelong habits of health, education and physical fitness.

"We're very grateful that the wonderful staff at Akari has again decided to donate their time, their energy, their artistry and their proceeds to helping WinterKids" stated Executive Director Carla Marcus. Normally closed on Sunday, Akari is opening special just for this occasion. If you are interested in participating, call Akari at 877.890.0772 or 207.772.9060 to make your reservation.

All appointments will be booked on a first come, first served basis. For more information about WinterKids, visit: www.winterkids.org

Media Contact:
Annie Pelletier at WinterKids (207) 871-5700

STRIVE ROCKS! - 2nd annual all night dance marathon

2006-02-10T05:41:00.000-08:00

MEDIA ADVISORY - UPCOMING EVENT

Featuring…
Tim Dwight of the New England Patriots
Shannon Moss of WCSH 6
Chronic Funk, Pete Kilpatrick, Loverless and other premier bands
Dusk Til Dawn DJ Services, and
Robert Washington, the World’s Second Best Elvis Impersonator

WHO: 500+ teens and volunteers
WHAT: Portland’s only 14 hour dance marathon
WHEN: 8pm on Saturday, March 4 until 10am on Sunday, March 5
WHERE: Sullivan Gym on USM Portland campus
WHY: To raise money for STRIVE

What is STRIVE?
Located on Foden Road in South Portland, STRIVE is an organization bringing a number of services to teens and young adults with developmental disabilities. STRIVE’s most popular activity happens every Friday night, 6-9pm, called STRIVE Night. Come check it out and interview members the night before the dance marathon. See how important this program is to the Greater Portland community.

Contact: Jessica Hermens, Special Projects Coordinator for STRIVE
#207-774-6278 ext. 209
jhermens@pslservices.org

Counseling Services Invites Public to Tour New Westbrook Clinic

2006-02-08T06:49:00.000-08:00

SACO, ME - Counseling Services, Inc. (CSI) and the Westbrook Chamber of Commerce invite the public to tour CSI’s newest community mental health clinic on Monday, February 13, 4:30-7:00, at 12 Westbrook Common. The Westbrook clinic’s focus is unique in mental health treatment. Services will combine traditional psychiatric counseling with complementary health services that include massage, Reiki and acupuncture. A new Healthy Lifestyles Program for both children and adults will focus on health and wellness, weight loss, nutrition and exercise programs. In addition, the clinic offers psychiatric consultation to primary care providers, psychiatric evaluations, and medication management.

Visitors can experience a chair massage, try a REIKI treatment and sample many healthy foods that can be affordable and easy to prepare. The caterer will provide recipes for foods served that evening.

Founded in 1971, CSI provides outpatient mental health and substance abuse services at clinics based in Saco/ Biddeford, Springvale/Sanford, and Kittery. The expansion into Westbrook will offer residents with specialized mental health treatment services, and an additional referral source for primary care providers, hospitals and emergency services.

For more information contact Community Relations Director, Kristin Melville at 282-1500/ 856-1500. CSI is committed to providing a broad spectrum of high quality and affordable mental health, substance abuse and community support services for residents in Southern Maine. For more information about CSI visit www.counselingservices.org .

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For all media inquires contact:
Kristin Melville, Community Relations Director
Tel: 207-294-7185 Fax: 207-282-7509
E-mail: kristin.melville@csimaine.com

Spring Series has New Name-"Sounds Good! Music Live at Johnson Hall"

2006-02-07T14:34:00.000-08:00

Johnson Hall Performing Arts Center announces a new name and the line-up for its spring music series.
(More information for each show will follow in individual press releases. )

GARDINER, MAINE -- "Sounds Good! Music Live at Johnson Hall" will feature the tenth year of great music, taped by Adelphia Channel 9 for later TV broadcast. Opening night, March 10, will unveil a new logo, a new theme song and new hosts: David Greenham, managing director of Theater at Monmouth, and Denise Reehl, Artistic Consultant at Johnson Hall. Sounds Good! is a fantastic opportunity to listen to live music in an intimate setting, meet the musicians, and be on television as part of the studio audience. The series is sponsored again this year by Gardiner Savings Institution. Shows are presented at Johnson Hall, 280 Water Street, Gardiner at 7:30pm on Fridays in March and April. Tickets are now $9, JH members $8, with a new student ticket (id required) available for $4.

All the acts are from Maine or have close connections to Maine. This year's terrific talent includes: March 10--Anni Clark (beautiful guitar and melodies by this popular folk singer/ songwriter); March 17--Ladies of the Lake, (lilting Irish tunes for St. Patty's Day); March 24--Pat Colwell & the Soul Sensations, (gritty Chicago blues, rock standards, and originals); March 31--Cool Water (sweet cowboy country harmonies); April 7--The Colby 8 (smooth, sensational college a cappella group); April 14--Revision (jazz/funk with a rockin' beat); April 21--Gordon Bok (Maine's internationally-known master of traditional songs of the sea and land); April 28--Big Chips Trio (pop, swing, and rock favorites).

Johnson Hall can be reached at 582-7144, or johnsonhall@verizon.net. Seating is limited, so early reservations are recommended. The website is www.johnsonhall.org.
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Media Contact:Judy Lloyd, Johnson Hall (207) 582-7144 johnsonhall@verizon.net

New free news release service for nonprofit organizations announced, in honor of the 3rd Annual Nonprofit Day

2006-02-07T10:58:00.000-08:00

Nonprofit-focused PR firm enhances & re-launches NonprofitsNow.com as a gift to Maine's nonprofits

PORTLAND, MAINE -- Shoestring Creative Group has re-launched NonprofitsNow.com, a news and information site about and for Maine nonprofits. Previously, the site served as a place for the firm to post news releases for its clients and general news of interest to Maine’s nonprofit community.

Beginning Feb. 8, 2006, NonprofitsNow.com will become a free news release distribution service to all of Maine’s nonprofit organizations – serving not only as a place to post and read information about and of interest to Maine nonprofits, but as a no-cost wire service that will distribute the information to media outlets statewide.

“This is our gift to all of the nonprofit organizations in the state of Maine,” says Hannah Gregory, founder and managing director of Shoestring Creative Group, the firm that created and will manage the news site. Gregory adds that the news distribution site is different than those already out there not only because it is free, but because of better features such as the ability to post larger photos and live web and email links within the news releases. In addition, each release is individually formatted and reviewed by a public relations professional before it is posted and distributed. NonprofitsNow.com will also produce original content and pitch "good news" stories to the Maine media.

"It is our goal to get the attention of the media -- to provide them with a place they can go online in search of meaningful and significant stories," says Gregory. "Maine nonprofits are the ones working with the people of Maine, and are an important source of information and inspiration."

There are plans to expand the nonprofit news site to serve New England and other markets where the company does business such as Kansas City and North Carolina.

The re-launching of NonprofitsNow.com has been timed to coincide with Maine’s 3rd Annual Nonprofit Day to take place Feb. 8, 2006. The event, which includes a press conference at the state Capital, is organized by the Maine Association of Nonprofits each year to increase visibility of nonprofits and their crucial contributions to the state of Maine. To learn more about the event, read MANP’s press release, available at:
http://nonprofitsnow.blogspot.com/2006/02/maine-nonprofits-doing-more-than-just.html

Shoestring Creative Group – based in Portland with an additional office in Gardiner – is a full-service marketing communications firm with a specific business mission to make creative, affordable services affordable and accessible to nonprofit organizations in Maine and beyond. For more information, go to www.shoestringgroup.com.

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Media contact:
Hannah Gregory, hannah@shoestringgroup.com; 207.582.1345

Maine Public Relations Council Professional Development Program/Public Relations for Nonprofit Practitioners

2006-02-07T07:10:00.000-08:00

PORTLAND, MAINE -- A strong public relations program is vital to the success of any not-for-profit organization or association. John Rhodes, a public relations and fundraising professional, will provide tips to help practitioners use their time and resources effectively to make a cause stand out.

Rhodes, president of J.D. Rhodes Associates, Inc., based in Fairhope, Alabama, will discuss the importance of communicating and listening to an organization's publics, working closely with a non profit's development office, building relationships and keeping volunteers informed and engaged. Presenter: John Rhodes, President, J. D. Rhodes Associates, Inc.

When:
Friday, February 17, 2006 Schedule: 8:00-8:30 am Registration 8:30-10:00 am Program

Where:
Hilton Garden Inn 5 Park Street, Freeport Cost: $20 MPRC members $35 non members Includes continental breakfast. No-shows will be billed.

Registration/More Info:
Call 207-761-4477 or e-mail info@meprcouncil.org. The Maine Public Relations Council (MPRC) is a professional association of Maine public-relations practitioners. MPRC is dedicated to the professional development of its members and a greater awareness of the role of public relations in the world today. www.meprcouncil.org

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Maine Nonprofits: Doing More than Just Good Deeds.

2006-02-07T06:53:00.000-08:00

Maine Association of Nonprofits Holds State House Press Conference Presents recent findings to Senate President & Speaker of the House

PORTLAND, MAINE -- The Maine Association of Nonprofits (MANP) will hold a press conference entitled, “Maine Nonprofits: Doing More Than Just Good Works” on February 8, 2006, noon, in the Hall of Flags, Statehouse, in Augusta. The press conference takes place on the 3rd Annual Nonprofit Day, an event held by MANP to increase visibility of nonprofits and their crucial contributions to the state of Maine. Nonprofit Day events will take place, 8:30am – 4:15 pm in various venues around Augusta. The full day’s schedule can be found at www.nonprofitmaine.org/public_policy.asp.

Nonprofits embody the true spirit of Maine in that they help thousands of people daily by protecting, feeding, healing, sheltering, educating and nurturing body and spirit. Nonprofits also give shape to our state’s boldest dreams, highest ideals, and noblest causes by serving as champions of the common good, incubators of innovation, laboratories of leadership, promoters of democracy, protectors of taxpayers, responders in times of trouble, stimulators of the economy, and weavers of the community fabric. Besides the hard to measure contributions of Maine’s nonprofit organizations, nonprofits contribute significantly to local and national economies and provide a significant number of good jobs. In 2002, the nonprofit workforce was over 70,000 strong, comprising 11.8% of total employment in Maine, a number significantly higher than the national average of 7.2%. In 2003, Maine nonprofits contributed in excess of $6 billion to the economy or 15% of the Gross State Product, again, well above the 8% national average.

J. Gregory Shea, MANP Advocacy Committee Chair, and Henry Schmelzer, President & CEO of the Maine Community Foundation will comment and present, “The Maine Nonprofit Sector, October 2005” (https://www.nonprofitmaine.org/sector_research.asp), a joint project highlighting the economic impact of Maine’s nonprofit sector, to the Maine Legislature. Senate President, Beth Edmonds, and Speaker of the House, John Richardson, will accept the report on behalf of the legislature and comment on the importance of good public policy on the health of such a significant part of the Maine Economy. The press conference takes place on February 8, noon, Hall of Flags, Statehouse, Augusta. For more information, please call 871-1885.

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Brenda Peluso at Maine Association of Nonprofits
(207) 871-1885

$700,000 HUD Grant To Portland West Youth Building Alternatives

2006-02-01T06:12:00.000-08:00

PORTLAND, MAINE -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded Portland West Youth Building Alternatives (YBA) a two-year grant to continue running its alternative education program for at-risk young people, 16 to 24. Portland West’s executive director, Ethan K. Strimling said,

“This is a great day for Portland West and the people we serve. The Federal Government is recognizing our excellent track record and the importance of ensuring that programs like this continue.”

“With this grant,” said Tom Pearson, Director of Programs at Portland West, “Portland West is able to continue 13 years of service to extremely at-risk teens and young adults. When they complete the program, 85% go on to jobs or college. We have seen the difference that this program can make in the lives of our young people and in their communities.”

Once enrolled and committed to YBA, students spend half of their time in the classroom with academics and GED preparation and the other half in vocational education that puts them on job sites. As they learn construction, renovation and historical preservation, they maintain and construct affordable housing for low-income families.

YBA students will build at least one house for a low-income, first time buyer and rehabilitate at least 7 low-income rental units within the next two years. HUD expects that across the U.S.A. thousands of low-income youth will get new starts on their education and careers in Youthbuild programs that offer education and vocational education that will help to construct almost 2,000 homes for low-income families.

YBA addresses the critical need to provide employment training opportunities and educational advancement to at-risk youth as well as alternative sentencing to juvenile offenders. Portland West collaborates with the Maine Department of Corrections to enroll youth who have been incarcerated in the Long Creek Youth Center in South Portland.

YBA program graduates in 2004 had a 0% recidivism rate compared to 33% recidivism for all juvenile offenders. 85% of students that graduate from YBA go on to jobs, job training or college.

At Portland West, over 700 youth have been served since November 1992. They have created 8 units of housing for homeless women, constructed 4 houses for first-time, low-income home ownership, and created 11 units of low-income rental housing. In the winter of 2003 and 2004, YBA students took part in the total renovation of a 150-year-old girls school into 12 units of affordable housing for families that included two handicap accessible apartments.

CONTACT:
Kerry Smith (207) 775-0105
ksmith@portlandwest.org

TWO CAPITAL AREA NONPROFITS JOIN FORCES UNDER NEW NAME

2006-01-28T08:35:00.000-08:00

Goal to bring wider cross section of community together to work on quality of life issues

Gardiner, Maine -- Getting Healthy and Southern Kennebec Healthy Communities – both nonprofit organizations located in Gardiner -- have joined forces. The two organizations will continue the same work under a new name, Healthy Communities of the Capital Area.

Getting Healthy is the local Healthy Maine Partnership, funded through Maine’s tobacco settlement and dedicated to improving physical activity and nutrition and limiting tobacco exposure. Southern Kennebec Healthy Communities is a volunteer-based healthy community coalition devoted to bringing community members together to assess and address quality of life issues at the local level. Healthy Communities of the Capital Area merges the two and will continue to serve the same "community clusters" in the capital area as when it was two separate organizations.

"Our goal is for Healthy Communities of the Capital Area to bring a wider cross section of the community together to work on a spectrum of quality of life issues," says David Pied, board chair. “We know that improving opportunities for physical activity, increasing good nutrition and preventing tobacco use are core quality of life issues, but we want to be able to respond to other community identified issues as they arise – substance abuse prevention and opportunities for example.”

Sarah Shed, director of Southern Kennebec Healthy Communities is excited about the change. “We have always worked closely together and our missions are synergistic," she says. "And it became clear that having a single name would identify us to the community in a more compelling and less confusing way.”

The new name, logo and tagline were developed – with the help of Shoestring Creative Group –through a carefully managed process that focused on the mission of the organization and its goals for the future.

The announcement of the new name comes at a time when there is a lot of discussion across the state about ways to strengthen the capacity of community coalitions to participate in expanded public health roles, explains Joanne Joy, Healthy Maine Partnership director .“This integration allows us to build a more comprehensive coalition, she says. "We will be able to assume a greater role in public health functions as they develop, and we will be in a better position to attract more grant resources.”

To learn more about the logo, go to http://www.shoestringgroup.com/healthycommunities/index.htm.

Contact info:
36 Brunswick Ave Gardiner, Maine 04345 http://www.healthycommunitiesme.org/ 207-582-8011 Contact: Hannah Gregory, 207/582-1345, hannah@shoestringgroup.com

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Children's Museum of Maine Awarded Two Maine Community Foundation Grants

2005-01-11T13:50:00.000-08:00

Portland, Maine – The Children's Museum of Maine has received two outreach grants through the Maine Community Foundation. These grants further the Museum’s mission to provide resources for under-served audiences and new communities.

The first, a $2,500 grant from the H. King & Jean Cummings Charitable Fund, will provide free distribution of the Museum’s science education kits to seven elementary schools in Piscataquis County. The traveling science kits offer topics including animals, adaptations, recycling, dinosaurs, nature, weather, seasons, and the human body. “This grant allows us to reach beyond our four walls. We are excited about this new opportunity to provide students and teachers, unable to visit the Museum, with educational resources we have developed,” notes Executive Director Suzanne Olson.

Additionally, the Children's Museum of Maine received $2,500 from the Maine Charity Foundation to support memberships for 10 Head Start classrooms in Cumberland County. These memberships will allow the Head Start classes to visit the Museum regularly for a full year.

Ranked one of the very best, the Children’s Museum of Maine – located in downtown Portland – offers unique Maine exhibits, educational programs and fun for children of all ages. The public is invited to shop in the museum’s Explore Store.

Kids and Families Across Southern Maine Benefit from Community Generosity

2005-01-10T05:43:00.000-08:00

Local businesses and organizations provide 600+ gifts for Youth Alternatives’ clients

PORTLAND — Southern Maine businesses and organizations and several individuals pitched in to make this holiday season a little warmer and brighter for children, youth and families throughout the state who are served by Youth Alternatives.

Gifts such as new bicycles, dolls, games, clothing, gift certificates and groceries were among the many donations. In late November, Youth Alternatives put out a "wish list" asking persons and businesses to fulfill gift requests made by the children themselves. The response proved overwhelming, according to Michael Tarpinian, president of Youth Alternatives.

The gift-giving effort was led by Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Cares, the charitable arm of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage of New England, Vital Basics and Aetna Healthcare. “We can’t say enough about the generosity and warmth of spirit we receive from our community partners,” said Tarpinian. “We are so grateful that Coldwell, Vital Basics and Aetna have once again reached out to our kids and families.”

In addition, Maine Medical Center, The Greater Portland Mother’s (& Dads) Group, Clark Associates, the Cathedral Parish and B&M Baked Beans provided gifts and good cheer to kids and families in Youth Alternatives’ care.

Youth Alternatives, a nonprofit social service agency founded in 1972, advances safe, happy, healthy childhoods and positive family relationships. Through its comprehensive continuum of care, Youth Alternatives creates homes for vulnerable children and youth; supports families in need, conflict or crisis; reaches out to homeless youth; provides substance abuse treatment; and ensures safety by working to prevent child abuse and neglect. Through its programs, Youth Alternatives serves more than 6,100 children, youth and family members throughout Maine each year. Youth Alternatives relies on the support of our community, individuals, corporations, foundations and community groups.

Hospital grant aims to stem nursing shortage

2005-01-07T05:52:00.000-08:00

For more information:
Gail Wilkerson, Chief of Marketing & Communications
207-761-2292; pager 207-767-8535

Westbrook, Maine--A recent grant of $15,000 from the Margaret Burnham Charitable Trust will be used by Spring Harbor Hospital to attract nurses to the field of psychiatry.

"This grant helps ensure that southern Maine's only psychiatric hospital has the nursing staff it will need in the future to care for nearly 3,000 patients each year," says Chief Clinical & Nursing Officer Mary Jane Krebs, APRN, BC.

Krebs says that while there is both a national and statewide shortage of nurses, the field of psychiatry is especially hard hit. "Of all the nursing students who complete their training, only 2 percent choose a career in psychiatry. With fewer nurses overall, we need to take a strategic approach to recruiting nurses into this healthcare field."

Krebs says that the Margaret E. Burnham grant will fund a planning program to ensure every nurse recruited to Spring Harbor Hospital has a nurse mentor for a period of up to 6 months. "This is important to new nurses because psychiatry is a highly specialized treatment area," Krebs asserts. "The support of more experienced nurses is critical to a new nurse's career satisfaction and future success."

Spring Harbor Hospital is a 100-bed nonprofit psychiatric facility that manages the mental health services of Maine Medical Center in Portland. All told, the mental health network accommodates more than 80,000 patient visits each year for such illnesses as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and co-occurring (psychiatric and substance abuse) disorders.

The Margaret E. Burnham Charitable Trust was established to benefit nonprofit organizations located or operating in the State of Maine and serving within the State of Maine.

Youth Alternatives receives a $50,000 grant from Jane’s Trust

2005-01-04T11:21:00.000-08:00

Contact: Stacy Karp Mosher at Youth Alternatives, (207) 874-1175

Funding will spur advocacy and education efforts to prevent human and animal abuse Youth Alternatives (www.youthalternatives.org), a nationally accredited provider of services to children, youth and families throughout Maine, has received a $50,000 grant from Jane’s Trust.

The grant will allow Youth Alternatives, through the Cumberland County Child Abuse and Neglect Council, to partner with human service and animal welfare agencies throughout Maine to develop a state-wide community awareness campaign highlighting the link between animal cruelty and family violence. In addition, Youth Alternatives will train workers in child, adult and animal welfare to recognize, report, treat and prevent cruelty across disciplines. Statistics show there is an equally strong connection between animal cruelty and elder abuse as there is between animal cruelty and child abuse. Moreover, the family dynamics are similar.

“Thanks to this generous gift from Jane’s Trust, we will be able to develop training modules, community awareness materials and assessment tools that will make a major difference in early detection and intervention of violence against people and animals,” said Michael Tarpinian, president of Youth Alternatives.

Jane’s Trust became active in 2002. The private trust provides grants to organizations in northern New England that work to improve the health and welfare of humans and animals. Youth Alternatives, a nonprofit social service agency founded in 1972, advances safe, happy, healthy childhoods and positive family relationships. Through its comprehensive continuum of care, Youth Alternatives creates homes for vulnerable children and youth; supports families in need, conflict or crisis; reaches out to homeless youth; provides substance abuse treatment; and ensures safety by working to prevent child abuse and neglect. Through its programs, Youth Alternatives serves more than 6,100 children, youth and family members throughout Maine each year. Youth Alternatives relies on the support of our community, individuals, corporations, foundations and community groups.

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Maine Power gives Gulf of Maine Research Institute $250,000

2004-12-23T13:23:00.000-08:00

CMP Mini-Grant Program for Teachers will begin in 2005 and will engage over 10,000 middle school students and teachers in the CMP service area, annually

Portland, Maine, Dec. 23, 2004 — Central Maine Power (CMP) via a grant from the Energy East Foundation, the philanthropic arm of its parent company, today announced a $250,000 investment in the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) to support their pursuit of raising science aspirations among 5th and 6th grade students throughout the CMP service area. The grant will enable GMRI to implement a marine science education program, within their new facility, that engages students in the scientific process as they work together to solve real research questions that are relevant to the Gulf of Maine.

CMP, known for contributing to community initiatives that generate engaging educational programs for Maine families and communities, recognized GMRI’s potential to provide a unique learning opportunity that will have a statewide impact on science education.

“We are proud to support the Gulf of Maine Research Institute,” said Angela Sparks-Beddoe, President-Energy East Foundation. “Partnering with CMP to support initiatives that give young people the opportunity to explore the world around them is a key goal of the Energy East Foundation. The education space within the Gulf of Maine Research Laboratory will bring students face to face with real marine science, while teaching them the fundamentals of the scientific inquiry process. For a state that relies so heavily on its water resources, this is an invaluable learning opportunity.”

The CMP grant will be paid out over the next five years, with the first installment of $50,000 made today. Over the next nine months, GMRI will convert marine science content into age-appropriate learning activities and ramp up the education program in anticipation of the inaugural run at the start of the 2005-06 school year. In September, the first classrooms will begin to experience the inquiry-based marine science education program. Eventually, GMRI will offer this program to the 5th or 6th grade classes within every community in Maine, free of charge. Over the next four years, the CMP grant will lay the foundation for funding the cost of bringing over 10,000 5th or 6th graders to the Research Laboratory, each year.

Additionally, in 2005 the CMP contribution will also launch a competitive mini-grant program that will provide funding to teachers who are interested in developing innovative ways to bring marine science curriculum into their classrooms. "We are very excited about the CMP Mini-Grant Program which will allow teachers with innovative projects to continue the marine science learning experience back in the classroom," Said Sara Burns, President-CMP. "Representatives from CMP and the Energy East Foundation will work with GMRI to develop the criteria for the CMP Mini Grant Program."

“Central Maine Power and Energy East have demonstrated their commitment to the people within their service community,” said George Campbell, who will chair the GMRI Board starting in 2005. “As the first corporate sponsor to step forward in supporting the participation of all schools throughout Maine, CMP’s contribution will have a catalytic effect on our effort to seek future donors to fund free universal access for 5th and 6th grade students to the innovative education space within the newly minted Gulf of Maine Research Laboratory. This grant will have a profound impact on the successful execution of GMRI’s education mission.”

About GMRI: The Gulf of Maine Research Institute (www.gma.org) was established in 1968 to educate Maine residents and visitors about Maine’s fresh and saltwater resources; to convene the interested public to discuss, debate, and resolve aquatic resource conflicts; and to conduct collaborative research to improve our understanding of the Gulf of Maine and its watershed. GMRI is currently building an innovative aquatic research and education institution that includes the Gulf of Maine Research Laboratory, due for completion in January 2006, and ultimately a next-generation aquarium. The Research Laboratory will provide a collaborative platform for research partnerships among Maine’s leading research organizations, the fishing community, and private industry with a focus on fishery ecosystem research. A hybrid marine research and education facility, the Lab will be closely linked to the community, strategically focused on the Gulf of Maine bioregion, and complemented by a unique research interface that will engage Maine students with marine science.

About CMP: Central Maine Power, a subsidiary of Energy East Corporation, operates more than 20,000 miles of power lines and other facilities that deliver electricity to 80 percent of Maine’s population. Web site: www.cmpco.com.

About Energy East: Energy East Corporation [NYSE: EAS] is a respected super-regional energy services and delivery company that our customers can depend on every day. We are a motivated and skilled team of professionals dedicated to creating shareholder value through our focus on profitable growth, operational excellence and strong customer partnerships. We serve about 3 million customers throughout upstate New York and New England.

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Saco Food Pantry buys building

2004-12-22T15:35:00.000-08:00

Saco, Maine - "Finding a home for boxes and cans has been as difficult as finding shelter for the homeless," stated Bryce Milne. According to Saco Food Pantry volunteer and fundraiser, Ed Hodgdon, "Since 1982, Milne has been one of Saco's unsung heroes when it comes to feeding the hungry and helping families in need of immediate, local food relief, especially for families with small children and the elderly, many of whom can't buy adequate foodstuffs due to fixed income."

"On Thursday, December 23, at the new home of the the Saco Food Pantry, 67 Ocean Park Road, the Pantry celebrates the purchase of its own facility." Milne proudly stated, "Coming up with $175,000 is a daunting task, especially at this time of year, but Maine people and companies have stepped up to the plate, pardon the pun. Saco citizens are especially thankful to Stephen and Tabitha King for their generosity. After what seems ot have been years of fund-raising agony, we've achieved a just reward for those in need - a building. The Saco Food Pantry is now a permanent place to come for food."

According to Hodgdon, "The Saco Food Pantry has raised $70,000 thanks to the Kings, The First Parish Congregational Church, Saco & Biddeford Savings, Biddeford Savings Bank, the Emmons Family Trust, both Rotary Clubs and the Narragansett One Foundation."

According to Kim Cormier Hutchinson of Funtown/Splashtown USA, "We have agreed to host an on-line presence so anyone wishing to donate may visit the Saco Food Pantry's temporary Internet address, www.FuntownUSA/SacoFoodPantry.com. We will host the site until a more permanent Web address can be finalized. "

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Foundation 51 Announces Grants Totaling $15,000 for Cumberland/North Yarmouth School District

2004-12-17T09:26:00.000-08:00

Contacts:
Annie Graham rgraham1@maine.rr.com Alison Harris 207.829.4500 alison@harrismediaservices.com

Ten projects funded represent every school within the MSAD 51 system

Foundation 51 has announced the recipients of the Fall 2004 grants cycle, with $15,000 awarded to 10 grants within the Cumberland/North Yarmouth school community. Foundation 51 is a non-profit organization founded to promote educational excellence within Maine School Administrative District 51, serving students from Cumberland and North Yarmouth.

Teachers, students, parents, and community members are eligible to apply for grants twice a year; the fall 2004 grant recipients are as follows:

At the elementary level:
-- North Yarmouth Historical Society, to develop and present a program to the community’s third-grade students entitled, "North Yarmouth's Past to Generations of the Future."
-- Linda McCann-Olson, art teacher, for an intensive learning program in Chinese Brush Painting for fifth-grade students, community members and staff.
-- Mabel I. Wilson School, to purchase literacy software.
-- North Yarmouth Memorial School, to provide external disk drives that will enable third- and fourth-grade students to take advantage of existing computer equipment and programs.

At the middle school level:
-- Barbara O'Neill, to purchase supplies for a biology program on plant growth allowing students to design experiments, collect and analyze data and communicate their results using a model organism that is currently used by scientists.

-- Greely Middle School, to fund enrichment programs conducted during Mastery.

-- Greely Middle School Foreign Language Program, to purchase materials that teach proficiency in French and Spanish through reading and story telling. At the high school level:

-- Greely High School, to purchase plagiarism detection and prevention software.

-- Greely High School, to purchase a dishwasher for the science department laboratory.

-- Greely High School South Wing Project, to purchase six laptop computers with cart to support low-achieving students and enable them to meet federal No Child Left Behind standards.

"It’s extremely exciting to see the creative learning opportunities developed within the Cumberland/North Yarmouth school system, and to be able to provide financial assistance," says Annie Graham, chairperson of Foundation 51. "Funding this series of grants was particularly rewarding because they touch every school within our system, and engage not only teachers and students, but the community at large."

Requests for grants for the spring 2005 schedule are due on March 11; for more information, visit www.foundation51.org. About Foundation 51 Foundation 51 was established in 1998 to promote educational excellence in MSAD 51 by funding initiatives that improve teaching and learning and by inspiring community involvement for the benefit of our schools. To date, the Foundation has funded more than $165,000 in school activities, learning programs, and supplies to the local Cumberland-North Yarmouth schools. For more information, visit www.foundation51.org.

Nonprofits are part of the "creative economy" too: Maine Arts Commission invites organizations to join its creative economy listserve

2004-12-16T09:17:00.000-08:00

As Maine's Creative Economy initiative moves into the next phase and communities across the state begin working on local initiatives, the Maine Arts Commission is inviting all of you to join an interactive listserve where people will be able to share ideas and news about creative economic development around the state.

To sign up for the Creative Economy listserve, just visit http://www.mainearts.com/login/index.shtml and create a new account or login to an existing account. Once you are logged in, you can modify your preferences to receive the Creative Economy listserve.

Listserve members may post regular news, updates and questions about Creative Economy projects.

To post a message to the listserve, you can send a message to creativeeconomy@lists.state.me.us. Maine Arts Commission staff members will moderate the list to protect against the listserve being infiltrated by spammers.

If you have any questions or need any assistance logging into or managing the listserve, please feel free to contact Lisa Veilleux at lisa.veilleux@maine.gov, 207/287-7050 or myself at sara.nics@maine.gov, 207/287-6746. You may also reach either associate via TTY at 207/287-2360, or through Nextalk.net.

Finally, please feel free to forward this invitation to anyone else who you think might be interested in signing up for the listserve.

Maine Arts Commission web site: www.MaineArts.com

Bangor Symphony Orchestra Receives Funding for Know Your Orchestra! Educational Outreach

2004-12-15T08:34:00.000-08:00

For Immediate Release
Contact: Kate Beale, 207-942-5555

Target Stores, Simmons Foundation provide crucial funding for rural arts education.

Building on the success of its first three seasons of educational outreach, the Bangor Symphony Orchestra was recently awarded grant funding from Target Stores 2004 Community Giving Program and from the Simmons Foundation.

Coordinated by Education Coordinator, Surya Mitchell, the program takes groups of musicians—and sometimes Xiao-Lu Li, the orchestra’s Music Director and Conductor—into area schools for workshops, demonstrations and performance.

“We are thrilled to be able to return to schools and build on what we’ve already started,” says Mitchell, “nothing can take the place of having professional musicians working one on one with students in a relaxed and familiar setting. It’s a great complement to what school music teachers are already doing with their curricula, and we are so grateful to have the support of Target Stores and the Simmons Foundation.” Through this program the Bangor Symphony aims to reinforce the Maine Learning Results and support Maine’s teachers’ efforts, becoming more and more constricted by budgetary demands.

Mike Flagg is the Director of Instrumental Music for the Mount View Schools in Thorndike. He wrote: “Nearly 150 students from our rural complex here had a wonderful opportunity to witness the amazing sights and unique sounds of a full percussion ensemble. We are, geographically, the largest rural district in the state and few of these students will have financial or geographic opportunities to witness such great music outside of school.”

Grant funding from Target Stores and the Simmons Foundation is targeted specifically for outreach in rural Maine schools, many of which have little or no access to music education. For more information about the Bangor Symphony Orchestra’s Know Your Orchestra! educational outreach, or to schedule a visit to your school, call 942-5555, or 1-800-639-3221.

Sugarloaf to Host Sugarloaf Charity Summit to benefit Maine Cancer Foundation

2004-12-14T10:44:00.000-08:00

Contact Martha Bradley at Sugarloaf Charity Summit (207) 797-7130

CARRABASSETT VALLEY, Maine Mark your social calendars -- you’re invited to the Ball. . . and a whole weekend of fun on and off the slopes. Sugarloaf/USA’s signature charity event is ascending to new heights Jan. 28-29, 2005 as the Sugarloaf Charity Summit. Proceeds raised throughout the weekend will benefit the Maine Cancer Foundation with a portion pledged to the Martha B. Webber Cancer Awareness Fund.

The Charity Summit is the evolution of the Sugarloaf Charity Challenge, an event that for five years was comprised of a challenge race and live and silent auctions. This year, far loftier goals have been set that ensure the event will be one of the most anticipated weekends of the season.

The highlight of the weekend will be the Sugarloaf Charity Ball, which is slated for Saturday night, Jan. 29 in the King Pine Room of the Base Lodge. Maine’s own Edith Jones Project, and all-female big band, will set the stage for dancing the night away. To cap off the evening, a number of very special items will be auctioned and the winner of the coveted gondola car raffle will be drawn.

The Charity Ball is open to the public and participation in other Charity Summit events is not required. Tickets to the Ball are $50 per person or two for $90.

In the daylight hours leading up to the Ball, Charity Summit participants can compete in the charity race on Boardwalk. Participants strive to gain the "fastest" time, which is a combination of actual race time and the amount of money raised. The more money a participant raises, the more time that is deducted from their actual race time. The Charity Race is the open to the public, race your friends, your family, your coaches, Amos, and others for a fee at the start gate.

In addition to prizes for “winning” the race, all participants who raise at least $1,200 receive a new pair of Rossignol B2 skis or a snowboard, which are available now. Skis can be awarded as soon as the participant presents a check for $1,200.

In addition to skis, those pledging at the $1,200 Snowfields level receive two tickets to the Sugarloaf Charity Ball. Cruiser level participants raising $600 receive one ticket to the Ball.

Net proceeds from the Sugarloaf Charity Summit will benefit the Maine Cancer Foundation and Martha B. Webber Cancer Awareness Fund and remain in Maine. These organizations are dedicated to helping improve the health and welfare of Maine people affected by cancer through research and education.

For more information log on to www.sugarloaf.com/charity.html or call Martha Bradley at 207-797-7130.

NonprofitsNow.com launches, provides online news source for Maine's nonprofits

2004-12-10T08:07:00.000-08:00

NonprofitsNow.com has launched, providing a new online resource of "news for and from Maine's nonprofit world."

The site provides a place for nonprofits to post news and information for free, as well as offers original stories on the nonprofit community in Maine.

The site was created by Shoestring Creative Group, a public relations and marketing firm that serves Maine's nonprofit community.

NonprofitsNow.com also provides links to local nonprofit resources and national nonprofit news sources.

Executive director of MANP provides article to MaineBiz

2004-12-09T21:36:00.000-08:00

"Maine nonprofits: Doing more than just good deeds," written by Scott Schnapp, executive director of the Maine Association of Nonprofits, appeared in MaineBiz recently.

The article begins: "The Maine nonprofit sector is large, diverse and growing. In every town, city and county, nonprofits can be found serving communities and citizens, and addressing issues of social concern......."

A PDF of the entire article is available to download from MANP's web site:
http://www.nonprofitmaine.org/documents/MaineBizArticle.pdf

WinterKids Announces Expanded Passport Program

2004-12-09T20:51:00.000-08:00

Contact Jonathan Farley at WinterKids(207) 871-5700

(Wednesday, December 8, 2004) Portland, ME – WinterKids, a non-profit organization dedicated to offering Maine children a lifestyle of healthy, fun, winter outdoor activity, has upgraded their popular WinterKids Passport program for the 2004-2005 season.

The Passport now allows all 5th, 6th and 7th graders in Maine to ski, snowboard, cross country ski, snowshoe and skate at 39 Maine ski areas and 11 Maine ice arenas. “We continue to be amazed at the support we get from the winter sports industry, the Maine school systems and our sponsors” stated Carla Marcus, Director of Winterkids. “Winter is Maine’s best and longest season – and no matter how active a child is during the warmer months, you can’t stay active and healthy sitting on the couch for seven months. The WinterKids Passport program is a great opportunity for families to enjoy what winter has to offer.”

The WinterKids Passport offers all Maine 5th, 6th, and 7th graders an entire season of free, healthy, outdoor winter recreation including cross-country and downhill skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, and ice skating, along with free or discounted lessons and rentals. The Passport also offers parents and siblings of all Passport holders free or discounted tickets, lessons, and rentals, ensuring that families develop healthy lifestyles together. WinterKids also participates in the National Passport which provides discounts to resorts in participating states. For more information go to www.winterkids.org for an application or applications can be picked up at local schools, Peoples Bank or LL Bean.

Pick a marketing firm, help a good cause: Big news from Shoestring Creative Group

2004-12-03T21:06:00.000-08:00

Contact Hannah Gregory at hannah@shoestringgroup.com or 207/828-2378

Shoestring Creative Group has announced the formation of a new division: SCG Marketing+Design, the "un-agency." Since its conception, Shoestring Creative Group has offered discounted services exclusively to nonprofits and good causes. The new division will offer services to for-profit business for the first time -- with one "string" attached. For every hour that SCG Marketing+Design performs for a for-profit, a half hour of services will be donated to the nonprofit of their choice.

More information will be available soon at www.thinkSCG.com. In the meantime, you can contact Shoestring Creative Group's managing director, Hannah Gregory, at hannah@shoestringgroup.com or 207/582-1345.

"We hope many nonprofits and good causes benefit from this new endeavor," says Gregory. "I have been talking with people in both the for-profit and nonprofit worlds, and there is much excitement about our new program -- from board members that want to help the cause they support to nonprofits with large vendors that want to give something back to them, both sides will benefit from SCG's new service," she adds.

"I can't think of a better way to help businesses feel good about spending advertising and marketing dollars." Shoestring Creative Group is a full-service marketing communications firm dedicated to providing top-notch services to nonprofits at a price they can afford. The new division will not alter the way Shoestring Creative Group services their core client base. - ### -

Area Leaders Named Founding Members of Leadership Council for Opportunity Farm for Boys & Girls

2004-12-03T21:01:00.000-08:00

Contact Julie Poulin at Opportunity Farm for Boys & Girls (207) 688-4655

New Gloucester, Maine – Opportunity Farm for Boys and Girls has started a new chapter in its history. The Board of Trustees recently announced a new level of governance call the Leadership Council. After recently completing a successful two-year capital campaign, and constructing and opening the first girls’ home a short distance from the boys’ campus, the timing was perfect to establish this exciting new group. According to Board Chair, Catherine Cloudman, “During the campaign there were many individuals who expressed a strong interest in becoming actively involved with Opportunity Farm. The Leadership Council was a great way for us to expand the number of people actively involved with the advancement of the organization.

The Leadership Council will consist of community and business leaders, alumnae, and former trustees. “Council members serve as ambassadors to the community, spreading the word and raising the profile of Opportunity Farm for Boys and Girls,” states Council co-chair, Howsie Stewart of Yarmouth. The Leadership Council will meet twice a year for informal gatherings where they will be updated on activities and programs. Members will also be invited to community dinners and other Farm functions. “We are delighted to have this exceptional group of well-respected individuals in spreading the word about Opportunity Farm,” adds Stewart.

Founding members include: Douglas Bean of Falmouth and Senior Vice President of Operations for Smith Barney; Henry “Tom” Donaldson, also of Falmouth and Principal for Portfolio Management Consultants; Fred Forsley, President of Shipyard Brewing Company; Bet Foster of Cumberland Foreside; Sandra Goolden of Yarmouth and Principal for Goolden Associates; Tom Gorman, also of Yarmouth; Elizabeth “Cotheal” Linnell of New Gloucester; Brian Mullany of Yarmouth and retired businessman; Heather Noyes of Portland and the Washington School of Protocol; John Palmer of Yarmouth and co-owner of Downeast Concepts; Beverly Sherman of Cape Elizabeth; John Staples of Topsham and retired businessman; Stephanie Takes-Desbiens of Yarmouth and artist; Mary Ellen Tetreau of North Yarmouth and Vice President of Purchasing for the Maine Turnpike Authority and Michael Welch of Auburn and attorney at Hardy, Wolfe and Downing. Founding co-chairs of the Leadership Council are Howsie Stewart of Yarmouth and Michael Healy of Freeport and attorney for Verrill and Dana.

Opportunity Farm is a residential group-home campus in New Gloucester, Maine, that provides safe, supportive, family-style homes for at-risk youth. Since its founding nearly a century ago, Opportunity Farm has successfully served countless numbers of children who had nowhere else to turn—and offered them safe, nurturing homes and a path to stable, productive lives. Opportunity Farm intervenes early (well before youth reach the point of crisis that leads to state custody or incarceration), makes a long-term commitment, provides full financial support, and maintains a connection to the children’s families. If you are interested in learning more about Opportunity Farm, please contact Opportunity Farm for Boys & Girls at 926-4532 or visit the website at www.opportunityfarm.org

Fund for Maine Land Conservation Receives $250,000 MCF Grant

2004-12-01T22:01:00.000-08:00

The Fund for Maine Land Conservation of the Maine Community Foundation recently received a $250,000 gift from an anonymous donor. The gift will raise the total assets of the endowed fund to almost $380,000.

“We are thrilled to receive this strong show of support for this fund that promotes the conservation and preservation of land in Maine,” said Ann Tartre, Director of Donor and Program Services at the Maine Community Foundation. “This gift will allow us to nearly triple our grantmaking,” she said.

The Fund for Maine Land Conservation supports projects and organizations that promote collaboration between land trusts, municipalities, watershed groups and other nonprofit organizations whose work is focused on land conservation, stewardship and smart growth. This year MCF partnered with the Horizon Foundation (www.horizonfoundation.org) to broaden the scope of the conservation fund, and to increase the amount of funding available for granting to Maine land trusts.

Three grants were made recently from the fund:
$7,500 to Georges River Land Trust for a community conservation planning project
$7,500 to York Land Trust to work with area land trusts to solicit major gifts and to implement community-based conservation strategies for the Mount Agamenticus to the Sea project
$2,000 to Maine Land Trust Network to develop models of collaboration for land trusts in the state.

MCF hopes to build the Fund for Maine Land Conservation. Individuals interested in donating to the fund should contact Ellen Pope at the foundation.

May 15, 2005, is the next deadline for applications. For complete application guidelines, please call toll free 1-877-700-6800 or visit www.mainecf.org.

JobsInME.com announces nonprofit rates

2004-11-30T21:46:00.000-08:00

Finding good employees just got easier for Maine nonprofit organizations...
Now, for a fraction of the cost of other recruiting options, nonprofit organizations can save valuable recruiting dollars and attract quality candidates using Maine's leading job site.
See subscription package descriptions and pricing below.

Not to mention nonprofits can post volunteer opportunities absolutely free.

For more information, go to http://www.jobsinme.com/misc/nonprofit.asp.

Rare lighthouse book goes to museum

2004-11-22T21:22:00.000-08:00

Contact Tim Harrison at American Lighthouse Foundation (207) 646-0245

An extremely rare lighthouse book first published in France in 1864 by the French Lighthouse Service has been acquired by the Museum of Lighthouse History in Wells, Maine.

The book entitled, "Memoir Upon the Lillumination and Beaconage of the Coasts of France" was originally published to document how the invention, in France, of the Fresnel lens led to the development of new lighting apparatuses for lighthouses and the new styles of construction of the towers and lantern rooms as well the characteristics of lighthouses and exactly how the various lenses and equipment were designed to work. The 11” x 14” book, with over 250-pages, goes into great depth on proper lighthouse construction, especially the lantern room, as well as other types of structures such as day-marks, fog signals, lighted buoys and lightships.

It also includes 39 plates with diagrams on the building of lighthouses, lantern rooms, day-marks and lightship lighting. According to Tim Harrison, president of the American Lighthouse Foundation, the leather bound book is the English version that was translated and commissioned in 1876 by the United States Lighthouse Service. Harrison went on to say that the French were widely regarded for their innovations in lighthouse lighting and construction. Also, the Fresnel lens, which was eventually used in all American lighthouses, was invented in France.

The book was intended as a teaching tool for the development and growth of aids to navigation in the United States. According to Harrison, “Although it is unknown how many of these books were made, we know the printing was very limited. Copies only went to the Commissioners in each lighthouse district, a few to the Army Corp of Engineers, a few to the U.S. Navy and a few to the Lighthouse Service headquarters in Washington. The book was not printed for the general public. As technology advanced, these books were discarded.”

Harrison said the Museum of Lighthouse History is devoted to the history of lighthouses more than the technical knowledge of how a lens was designed, built and invented. However, “This book gives us an in-depth look into how and why lighthouses lenses were designed and the individual characteristics of each tower in a given area.”

“But, what really makes this book of special interest,” says Harrison, “is that it contains the full text of the speech titled, ‘Memoir on a new system of illumination of lighthouses,’ given by Augustin Fresnel before the Academy of Sciences on July 22, 1822. Augustin Fresnel was the man who invented the Fresnel lens that revolutionized the way lighthouses were lit around the world. Fresnel lenses have not been made since the Fresnel lighthouse lens manufacturing plants were destroyed in World War II. Although a few Fresnel lenses remain in lighthouses today, many were destroyed years ago when they were replaced by modern optics.

Those that are left are primarily in museums and are considered priceless. The book will now go into the extensive collection of books and documents in the archives of the museum to be used for future research. Harrison said, “It will be a great learning tool for future generations”.

To learn more about the Museum of Lighthouse History in Wells and the nonprofit American Lighthouse Foundation you can visit their web site at www.LighthouseFoundation.org. The museum is now preparing new interpretative displays on lighthouse history that will open next spring. Currently the museum is open weekends only from 10 AM to 4PM until Christmas.

Maine Association of Nonprofits (MANP) Launches "Gifts That Give Twice" Program

2004-11-22T21:09:00.000-08:00

Contact Information: Lydia Badger, Membership Coordinator, Maine Association of Nonprofits Tel: 871-1885 Fax: 780-0346; lbadger@nonprofitmaine.org

“Gifts That Give Twice” Program Portland, ME -- Before you waste your time, energy and money at the mall, think about buying socially responsible gifts for the friends and family on your holiday list from MANP’s member organizations.

Starting on November 22nd, MANP’s website, www.nonprofitmaine.org, will feature a special section called “Gifts That Give Twice,” in which over 40 MANP members have posted items and services for sale as holiday fundraisers. “‘Gifts That Give Twice’ is now in its fourth season,” says Lydia Badger, MANP’s Membership Coordinator.

“The response to this year’s program has been better than ever. When people buy an item from a nonprofit for holiday giving, they really are giving twice; buying something for someone on their holiday list and providing much needed financial support to a Maine nonprofit.” “Plus,” says Badger, “where else can you go to sponsor a Saw-Whet owl (Maine Audubon), buy a book on macular degeneration (The Iris Network), or purchase a ton of fresh air (Campaign Earth) for a good cause?”

There are a wide range of products and services available this year, as well as information about gift membership and donation programs. Maine Nonprofits posting holiday gift ideas on the “Gifts That Give Twice” section of the MANP website include, in addition to many others, the American Red Cross, Bicycle Coalition of Maine, The Compass Project, The Friends of Casco Bay, The McLaughlin Foundation, The Pine Tree Society, and SPACE Gallery. Visit MANP’s website, www.nonprofitmaine.org, on November 22nd and click on the link called “Gifts That Give Twice” to view all of our participating members and get more information about purchasing gifts through participating organizations. For information: http://www.nonprofitmaine.org or Contact: lbadger@nonprofitmaine.org Phone: (207) 871-1885

The Maine Association of Nonprofits, which will celebrate its eleventh anniversary in February of 2005, is committed to advancing and strengthening Maine's nonprofit sector. Our membership consists of over 500 nonprofit members and 85 business and individual supporters.

Maine Handicapped Skiing looking for participants for Sugarloaf/USA weekend program

2004-11-17T21:25:00.000-08:00

Maine Handicapped Skiing, Maine's largest adaptive recreation program for adults and children with physical disabilities is looking for participants for its Sugarloaf/USA weekend program starting in early January. Adults and children (6 and over) with physical disabilities interested in learning to down hill ski or snowboard are encouraged to call Maine Handicapped Skiing at 800-639-7770 or email MHS at info@skimhs.org for more information. All lessons are free of charge. ###

Downeast Energy Toy Drive for Sweetser Kicks off at Portland Treelighting

2004-11-15T21:28:00.000-08:00

The holidays are a special time—families and friends come together to share celebrations and exchange thoughtful gifts. It’s also a time when it’s especially important to think of those members of our communities who need a little extra help, and share our celebrations with them.

That’s why Downeast Energy, for the second year, is sponsoring the Downeast Energy Toy Drive for Sweetser, and asking its customers throughout Maine to bring new, unwrapped toys and gifts to the gift boxes located at each Downeast Energy office between November 26th and December 17th. For many children served by Sweetser, this may be the only gift they receive this holiday season.

The Toy Drive will be kicked off with style at the Portland Downtown District’s annual Holiday Treelighting Ceremony on November 26th at 5:30 pm in Monument Square in Portland. Bring your kids to enjoy the huge sparkling tree and meet Captain Puffin, the Downeast Energy mascot, who will be on hand with candy. Toy Drive boxes will be available for donations throughout Monument Square, and Rick Charette and the Bubblegum Band will start the festivities. Donation boxes will also be located at the all Downeast Energy offices, located at throughout the state.

Visit www.downeastenergy.com for local office information. The toys and gifts donated will be wrapped and given to children and adolescents served by Sweetser throughout Maine. Adolescents are especially in need of age-appropriate gifts, such as makeup, CDs, and sporting goods. Or, the younger children always appreciate dolls, action figures, and Legos. Every gift will bring joy to the life of a child facing challenging circumstances. With a history dating back to 1828, Sweetser is Maine's most comprehensive mental healthcare organization dedicated to serving children, adults and families. With offices from Kittery to Belfast, Sweetser will serve more than 20,000 children and adults in the coming year.

“Downeast Energy is a company that believes strongly in serving its communities,” said Betsy Morrell of Downeast Energy. “The holidays are an especially difficult time for kids who need help, and the Downeast Energy Toy Drive for Sweetser is a great way to help the kids who might not be expecting the best holiday. We need the help of our customers to make this toy drive a success.” For more information about Sweetser, visit www.sweetser.org, or call Kristen Crean at 207.294.4485. For more information about Downeast Energy and Building Supply and its community efforts, visit www.downeastenergy.com or call Marya Baron at 772-5305.

Catholic Charities Maine is a Part of the Nation’s 3rd Largest Nonprofit Network, According to Ranking

2004-11-10T21:30:00.000-08:00

FALMOUTH, Maine -- Catholic Charities Maine is part of a national Catholic Charities network which has been ranked 3rd among the nation’s nonprofits, according to The NonProfit Times, which publishes the oldest annual ranking of charities in the country.

The Catholic Charities network moved up one slot from its fourth position ranking last year. To be included in the “NPT 100,” nonprofits must raise at least 10 percent of their total revenue from public sources, such as individual donors and foundations. “We are pleased to be part of such a large and respected network of charitable organizations,” said John Kerry, CEO of Catholic Charities Maine. “We draw strength from our association with other Catholic Charities around the country who share our mission to help those in need.”

Catholic Charities Maine, one of the largest statewide non-profit human services organizations in the state, serves people of all faiths and beliefs. Through more than 30 programs, the agency provides services to more than 30,000 of Maine’s most vulnerable citizens – the poor, disabled, elderly and children. (For more information please call 1-800-781-8550 or visit www.ccmaine.org)

Catholic Charities agencies nationwide provide a myriad of vital services in their communities, ranging from day care and counseling to food and housing. In 2003, local Catholic Charities agencies provided help and created hope for nearly than seven million people in need, regardless of religious, social, or economic backgrounds.

The 2003 combined revenue of the Catholic Charities network was $2,858,623,665.00. Nearly 90 percent of the funds were spent on programs and services, making Catholic Charities one of the nation’s most efficient charities. The Catholic Charities network also moved closer to the top 10 in The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s annual “Philanthropy 400.” The network moved up two slots from 13th in 2002 to the 11th position in 2004. The Chronicle bases its rankings on the amount of private support received by nonprofits. Unlike The Nonprofit Times ranking, The Chronicle’s rankings do not take into account government funding or program fees.

Hannaford Supermarkets Receives "Friend of Heart" Award

2004-11-03T21:15:00.000-08:00

SOUTH PORTLAND -- The American Heart Association (AHA), Northeast Affiliate recently honored Hannaford Supermarkets as this year’s “Friend of Heart” award recipient at a special ceremony at Maine Medical Center’s Research Institute in Scarborough on November 17th.

The event highlighted the support that two partners, Maine Medical Center and Hannaford Supermarkets, are providing locally to strengthen the AHA’s mission to reduce death and disability from heart disease and stroke. Hannaford Supermarkets has been a tremendous supporter of the AHA’s fundraising and awareness events over the years - helping the health organization to achieve its goals and priorities within community organization, revenue generation, and communications on a local level. Maine Medical Center is conducting world-class cardiovascular research, funded in part by the AHA. Lucy Liaw, PhD, a research scientist at the Institute, gave the group an overview of her study of unhealthy blood vessel cells that may be used to design therapies for heart disease patients.

The “Friend of Heart” award is a regional honor that recognizes individuals or companies who perform an important service for the American Heart Association. The AHA Northeast Affiliate serves Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island and most of New York (outside Long Island & NYC).

Hannaford Supermarkets generously supports the Heart Walk as Presenting Sponsor of five major Northeast events and as the in-kind sponsor of food, beverage, paper products, and Gourmet Heart Healthy food baskets. In addition, Hannaford Walk employee teams raised over $73,000 across the Northeast in 2004. Hannaford’s Marketing Department created a co-branded Hannaford/ AHA "Learn and Live" brochure that focuses on nutrition and exercise messages, demonstrating Hannaford’s unwavering commitment to its employee’s and customer’s health. These brochures, along with in-store signage and heart healthy food displays, help spread life-saving information throughout the communities Hannaford touches on a regional basis.

Local AHA Board Chair, Melissa Rodrigue of MacDonald Financial Group, presented Hannaford President & CEO Ron Hodge with this award. “On behalf of American Heart Association staff and volunteers across the Northeast, we would like to thank Hannaford and its employees for helping us fund life-saving research that is going on right in this building and across the country,” said Rodrigue. “It is research that could someday save you or someone you love.”
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$349, 600 grant from Lumina Foundation Supports Maine Compact for Higher Education

2004-11-02T22:02:00.000-08:00

MAINE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OBTAINS FUNDING

Lumina Foundation for Education, a private, Indianapolis-based foundation, has announced a grant of $349,600 to the Maine Community Foundation (MCF). The grant will support two of the five strategic actions identified by the Maine Compact for Higher Education in its report, “Greater Expectations.” An initiative to increase post-secondary educational levels of Maine people, the Compact was launched last year by MCF and the Maine Development Foundation.
The grant will fund a project aimed at increasing the number of nontraditional adult students who earn college degrees in Maine and increasing the college aspirations and preparation of traditional students by providing significant college experiences for Maine high school students across the state.

“We are excited to have this significant stamp of approval from a national foundation that is a trailblazer in higher education,” said Henry Schmelzer, president of the Maine Community Foundation. “MCF believes higher education is the most important long-term issue facing Maine.” Henry Bourgeois, director of the Maine Compact for Higher Education, stated, “This grant will provide significant help to increase the college participation rates of under-represented youth and adults in Maine. We are thrilled to have such a highly regarded organization as Lumina Foundation be our partner in this important work.”

Lumina Foundation for Education, a leader in funding education initiatives nationwide, strives to help people achieve their potential by expanding access and success in education beyond high school. The Foundation bases its mission on the belief that postsecondary education remains one of the most beneficial investments that individuals can make in themselves and that society can make in its people.

To learn more about the Maine Compact for Higher Education,go to www.collegeforme.org or call 207-622-6345.

Inc. Magazine features Maine nonprofit

2004-11-01T21:53:00.000-08:00

"A special program called StartSmart is turning immigrants into entrepreneurs. Meet five who are succeeding"
Inc. Magazine, November 2004
By: David J. Dent

When Juan Gonzalez decided to open a specialty grocery store in Portland, Maine, seven years ago, he thought he had an extra burden to overcome. "When you come from another country," says Gonzalez, who came from the Dominican Republic in 1991 when he was 22, "nobody trusts you. It is very difficult to get a loan."

But Gonzalez not only got a $15,000 loan, he also received help writing a business plan and finding coolers, refrigerators, and deals with wholesalers. That coaching helped his store grow from 200 square feet in 1997 to 1,500 square feet today -- including a popular restaurant that made its debut in July. It may not seem obvious that a city in Maine, one of the least diverse states in the nation, would be ideal for a Latino-centered ethnic food store, but Gonzalez says La Bodega Latina and Portland are the perfect match -- thanks mostly to StartSmart, a program run by a local not-for-profit economic development agency called Coastal Enterprises. In fact, says Gonzalez, who settled in Portland after a five-year Navy stint that ended with a tour of duty in Brunswick, Maine, "I wouldn't be in business without them."

La Bodega Latina was StartSmart's very first business to open. The program, which offers classes in entrepreneurship, one-on-one coaching, and start-up loans to immigrants and refugees, now has 72 businesses to its credit. It was founded in 1997 at a time when Maine saw a dramatic increase in its population of refugees (more than 4,000) and legal immigrants (more than 7,000). "For Maine," says Ellen Golden, senior development officer and manager of business development services at Coastal Enterprises, "this population was quite noticeable since we are not a diverse state." She had developed and worked in other Coastal programs to help low income populations start small businesses. In the early '90s, she concluded it was time to develop a specific program for immigrants and refugees.

They were coming from more than 50 nations around the world. Some had been doctors and nurses in their native countries. Others were small-business owners. But before StartSmart, their futures in Maine were largely limited to working at one of several seafood plants or at Barber Foods, a chicken processing plant. "It was one of the few places where refugees with limited English could find good paying jobs," says Jann Yankauskas, the StartSmart coordinator from its inception until this past August. "But processing chicken isn't everybody's dream."

Continue reading this article at: http://www.inc.com/magazine/20041101/coming-to-america.html