Dear Friend,

2024 has greeted us. In these last couple weeks, it seems that winter has re-emerged, as well. I am often pleasantly distracted by the birds hopping through the snow, looking for seed, but it also looks like they may be playing. I liken them to children on snow days, full of wonder and enjoyment, learning all the ways they can find joy in the fluffy white magic from the sky.

The New Year has arrived with joy and wonder at MaineShare. We are so grateful for the ways we could support the community in 2023, and are looking creatively and thoughtfully at the ways we can grow in 2024. We are excited to have expanded our workplace giving campaign this past fall, allowing participants to continue to support the work of our legacy organizations, while adding options to support the Immigrant Led Organization Fund, Grants for Change Fund, and Outdoor Equity Fund at Maine Initiatives.

This month, we are distributing $133,114.21 in funds to our legacy organizations to support their tremendous community impact. And we are grateful for the generosity of those who donated to our annual appeal, which improves our ability to support the justice ecosystem in Maine. (You can still do so here!)

Thank you for being part of this community, supporting us, and supporting our MaineShare partner organizations. Read on for updates from these groups, and also check out this member spotlight on the Southern Maine Worker's Center!

With excitement and gratitude,

Support MaineShare and our members!

Learn about stormwater pollution with Friends of Casco Bay

Friends of Casco Bay invites you to join Casco Baykeeper Ivy Frignoca for an early morning conversation about one of Casco Bay’s largest sources of pollution: stormwater. On Wednesday, February 7, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. grab a cup of coffee and hop online to hear about the impacts of stormwater and what you can do to help protect our waters. Whether you’re cozy on your couch or doing your morning routine or listening on your phone while you walk the dog,

join us for this informative event. Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uE7pjrLmSniCbGyQprBJ7g.

Updates from Maine Veterans for Peace

Maine Veterans for Peace continues to provide financial support to a food program administered by member Don Kimball in Portland to the unhoused. Don calls his work “Proudly We Serve.” Some of the recipients are veterans and others who are experiencing housing insecurity. Every Saturday, Don and other members of Maine VFP provide food and essential clothing like gloves and hats.

Recently, VFP Members joined with over a thousand other Maine citizens on January 3 at the Statehouse to bring awareness to Gun Safety and a demand for common sense laws. Joining the throng was veteran member Suzanne Hendrick, age 92, whose dedication is inspiring!

Viles Arboretum announces Leadership Change

Ryan Martin, who has served as the Executive Director of Viles Arboretum since June 2020, has stepped down from his position effective January 1. Aleta McKeage, an environmental scientist with a history of collaboration with the Arboretum, will take over as the Interim Executive Director. She has has previously contributed significantly to the Arboretum's 'Forest of the Future' initiative. Her extensive background in environmental science positions her well to lead the organization in this transition. 

Reflecting on his tenure, Ryan Martin expressed pride in his achievements and the growth of the organization. “Leading Viles Arboretum through a period of significant development and change has been a fulfilling journey. We've not only navigated challenging times but also achieved notable advancements in our mission to educate and inspire. I'm confident that the foundation we've built will enable the Arboretum to flourish in its next chapter," said Martin. 

During Martin's tenure, the Arboretum experienced rapid, transformative growth. Notably, with support from a small, but vibrant Board of Directors, the organization successfully navigated through the pandemic, added several new positions, and saw the construction of its new Education Center and scenic wetland boardwalk. These developments, along with dozens of new programs and initiatives, have played a crucial role in doubling the organization's size and impact. 

Winter Festivals with Maine Audubon

Maine Audubon is celebrating winter weather and wildlife with two family-friendly festivals in February.

WinterFest will be held Saturday, February 10th from 10am – 2pm at Fields Pond Audubon Center, Holden. It is FREE for all with no registration necessary.

The Winter Carnival will be held Saturday, February 17th 10am – 2pm at Gilsland Farm Audubon Center in Falmouth. This is FREE to Maine Audubon members and $9 for non-members (children under 2 are free).

Visitors of all ages can learn, create, and play at a variety of indoor and outdoor activity stations including a winter wildlife touch table, tracking activities, snow science and art, the Great Backyard Bird Count, face painting, hot cocoa and more! 

For more information, visit maineaudubon.org/events.

Distinguished Lecture Series at Holocaust and Human Rights Center

HHRC is looking forward to its first 2024 Distinguished Lecture by Ettie Zilber, who will present on Zoom, Tuesday, February 6th. Born in a displaced persons camp in Lansberg Germany, Ettie has spent her life hearing, learning about, and researching the details of her family's Holocaust experiences—from their life in Lithuania to their immigration to America. As a second generation child of Holocaust Survivors, Ettie absorbed stories from childhood as she was raised by parents who survived unspeakable trauma. Register here.

The second speaker will be Dr. Jake Newsome, who will speak on Tuesday, March 5th about his recent book, Pink Triangle Legacies: Coming Out in the Shadow of the Holocaust and invite questions and conversation. Jake is an award winning scholar of German and American LGBTQ+ history. As a public historian, he is dedicated to making scholarship accessible, engaging, and relevant to diverse audiences beyond the classroom. By shining light on the LGBTQ+ past, he seeks to develop an ethical sense of compassion and commitment to democratic ideals. Learn more here.

Help for Mainers Transitioning out of MaineCare

Consumers for Affordable Health Care is available to help Mainers who are transitioning out of MaineCare explore affordable health insurance options! MaineCare members who were enrolled in MaineCare during the pandemic may be eligible for a temporary Recently Lost MaineCare Special Enrollment Period (SEP) through CoverME.gov, Maine’s Health Insurance Marketplace. The SEP will continue through July 31, 2024.

Consumers for Affordable Health Care is a Maine based, nonprofit advocacy organization committed to helping all Maine people get quality, affordable, health care. Need help? Call the Helpline at 1-800-965-7476 or email helpline@mainecahc.org.

Hot Ticket Hootenanny with Maine Women's Lobby Education Fund!

Join the Maine Women's Lobby for a Hot Ticket Hootenanny! Get together with your palentines for a very feminist variety show at Bangor Arts Exchange on February 16th, 6:30 pm to 9:30pm.

We will have several performances - comedy, music, improv, and poetry - snacks, and time to connect with fierce feminist friends! We plan to have raffles and a silent auction to fundraise for the nonpartisan work of the Maine Women's Lobby in bringing care work and care economy issues to advocacy and opening doors for everyday people to engage in civic action. Ticket sales go toward the work of Maine Women's Lobby. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/maine-womens-lobby-presents-hot-ticket-hootenanny-tickets-801652884357 

Interested in sponsoring our event? Email dania@mainewomen.org.

Legislative Updates with Maine Animal Coalition

MAC covered the Maine Legislature in 2023. A new law that is relevant to know about is LD 598, “An Act to Require a Vehicle Operator to Notify an Owner of law Enforcement Officer of an Accident Involving a Dog, a Cat or livestock". This bill requires that if a motor vehicle accident occurring anywhere in the state results in the injury or death of a dog, a cat or livestock, the operator of a vehicle must take reasonable steps to notify the owner of the animal. If the owner of the animal cannot be located, the driver of the vehicle must take reasonable steps to immediately report the injury or death of the animal to a law enforcement officer or the animal control officer for the municipality or region where the accident occurred. This bill was created in recognition of the importance of companion animals to Mainers regardless of the market value of their animals.

Tax Help with New Ventures Maine

It’s That Time (Already!) It’s tax time. Maine taxpayers have until April 17, 2024 to file a 2023 federal and Maine individual income tax return. Free tax preparation and other helpful resources for Maine individuals can actually make tax time manageable. We hope you will share these resources widely among your networks.

CA$H Maine coalitions around the state will once again be providing free tax preparation assistance to qualifying households. To find a local coalition and learn how to schedule an appointment, visit the CA$H Maine website.

To prepare a tax return without assistance—for free—visit myfreetaxes.com or the IRS Free File website. 

If you or someone you know earned less than $63,698 from wages, running a business or farm, or from Form 1099 MISC, check out the Earned Income Tax Credit. The credit could be as much as $7,430 from the IRS for some workers. Use the EITC Assistant, available in late January, to check on eligibility and estimate a credit amount. Other tax credits that could be applicable this year include: Property Tax Fairness Credit, Sales Tax Fairness Credit, and Student Loan Repayment Tax Credit.

For classes and individual coaching on managing money, setting up a budget, building savings, and reducing debt, visit newventuresmaine.org.

Bill tracking with Natural Resources Council of Maine

With the Maine Legislature back in Augusta for the session, work is happening fast on bills important for Maine’s environment. Stay up to date on NRCM’s work by signing up for our Action Network emails at https://www.nrcm.org/get-involved/. When you sign up, you can choose just the issues that matter most to you. We also encourage you to bookmark our bill tracking page to read testimony, learn about upcoming public hearings, read bill language, and more at https://www.nrcm.org/programs/state-house/legislative-bill-tracking/.

Join the Next-Gen Advisory Committee with Maine Hospice Council

The Maine Hospice Council is looking to establish a Next-Gen Advisory Committee that will empower the next generation of stakeholders who have a passion and drive for advancing hospice and palliative care practices and improving access to and integration of quality end-of-life care services for Maine communities and healthcare systems.



The next-gen advisory committee’s work will focus on promoting and fostering:

• Purposeful engagement
• Innovative problem solving
• Intentional and impactful work
• Quality improvement initiatives
• Recommendations for program development

Through the work of the committee, we will identify opportunities and ideas for future change, advocacy, innovation, growth, and development that will elevate the standards and provision of quality of care for Mainers suffering from serious illnesses and/or who are facing a life- threatening condition and for the caregivers and families caring for them. Strong interdisciplinary and inter-generational collaboration is needed if we are to improve hospice and palliative care practices, strengthen our industry’s sustainability, growth, and integration within the larger healthcare systems.

If you are interested in participating or have questions regarding the Next-Gen Advisory Committee, please contact Kandyce Powell by calling Maine Hospice Council at 207-626-0651 or Helena Mailloux via email at hmailloux@chcs-me.org.

WERU Membership Drive

The WERU Winter Membership Drive is just around the corner! Starting with the Saturday Morning Coffeehouse on February 3, and going through the following Saturday, we'll be asking you to consider joining us, by becoming a member, becoming a sustaining member, renewing your membership, or giving an additional gift! The only reason that WERU Community Radio exists and can do that work we do is because of our amazing listeners and community!

 Support MaineShare and our members!