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Dear Friends,
The sun has joined our summer, loons are calling on the lake, and fireflies blink at night. It has finally felt like summer arrived in Maine. We are feeling this excitement as we jump into lakes, boogie board at the ocean, and venture out to the mountain trails. We are also feeling excitement because your support and donations are in action, helping our member organizations strengthen our communities each and every day.
MaineShare is thrilled to announce the recent distribution of $140,089.18 to our
member organizations. Thanks to the generosity of our workplace and individual donors, MaineShare has distributed a total of $238,288.82 in 2023. This incredible financial support bolsters the work of our 38 member organizations and their significant contributions to the justice ecosystem in Maine. We have immense gratitude to them, and to you, all our supporters. Please read on to see what your support makes possible in Maine, and consider a donation today in continued support.
With appreciation,
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Amanda Langley (she/her/hers), Director of the MaineShare Program
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Exciting Member Updates and Events! | |
Take a Class with New Ventures Maine to Reach Your Goals This Summer | |
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It’s not too late! New Ventures Maine (NVME) has a full schedule of classes this summer that can help you set and achieve your career, financial, or business goals. Upcoming workshops include: Job Search Series (take one, two, or all three one-hour workshops); My Money Works (starts August 3rd); Exploring Self-employment (a one-hour workshop August 16th). NVME provides tools and support to help you find a good job, further your education, start a business, or manage your money. Workshops are offered during day and evening times. Choose the right one for you at https://newventuresmaine.org/class-schedules/
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MECEP Analysis: Maine's budget provides historic supports and fortifies the foundation for a strong economy | |
Maine’s budget represents $10.3 billion in state resources and hundreds of millions more in federal dollars flowing through Maine communities. This is what good economic development looks like — investments that bet on people and help us all thrive. While this budget does great things, there are a few provisions Maine Center for Economic Policy finds concerning. Click here to read more from MECEP director of policy and research Sarah Austin about where the budget delivers for Maine workers, families, and communities and where it falls short. | |
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25th Anniversary of Fields Pond Audubon Center
Celebration & Butterfly Festival
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Join the Party! Join the Parade!
Saturday, August 26 from 10am – 2pm at Fields Pond Audubon Center – (216 Fields Pond Rd, Holden – 10 min from Bangor)
Butterflies play a vital role in the ecosystem as pollinators and are an important source of food for our native bird species. With more than 60 species of butterflies recorded, the Fields Pond Audubon Center is the perfect setting to celebrate the beauty and diversity of butterflies. Join us for games, crafts and interactive activities for all ages. Come dressed as your favorite butterfly and join the Butterfly Parade at Noon!
This event is FREE for the whole family. Click this link for more information!
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Learn more about the Blueberry Harvest School with Mano en Mano | |
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As the summer starts, Mano en Mano is excited to welcome new and familiar families over the 2023 blueberry harvest! Mano en Mano will operate the Blueberry Harvest School from Monday, July 31st to Friday, August 18th. Students will explore topics of culture, language, and identity through consideration of the question: What is tradition?
In addition to school based programming for children 3-15, Mano en Mano provides direct outreach and support to migrant families through Camp Services. The Access to Essential Services team will also be doing outreach to seasonal community members, organizing Welcome and Resource Centers designed to welcome folks to the area, make connections to partner organizations in the areas of health, education, legal aid, and other social services, and provide access to essential resources. The Mercadito, Mano en Mano’s culturally nourishing food pantry, will provide fresh produce, meat and non-perishable items throughout the season. Learn more here!
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Great news for the Presumpscot River and Casco Bay | |
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The largest river that flows into Casco Bay is officially protected from new sources of pollution under Maine law! Friends of Casco Bay partnered with Friends of the Presumpscot River to advocate for a four-year moratorium on new industrial or wastewater discharges into the Lower Presumpscot River. The moratorium was passed by the legislature and signed into law by Governor Mills on June 23.
View more of this story on our website!
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Maine Veterans For Peace Welcomes the "Golden Rule" sailing vessel | |
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The sailing vessel “Golden Rule,” an iconic peace symbol, was welcomed to Maine last month during its tour of Eastern states. This was a collaborative effort by the Maine chapter of Veterans For Peace, Peace Action Maine, Physicians for Social Responsibility Maine, Third Act, Smilin’ Trees Disarmament Farm, Maine Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America-- as well as support from McAllister Tugs, Centerboard Yacht Club, Spring Point Marina and the City of Bath.
A Wabanaki reception was followed by proclamations by the cities of Portland and South Portland and a water salute by a tugboat. The visit provided opportunity for public interaction with the captain and crew and a chance to view “Making Waves,” a documentary chronicle of the ship’s history. Following the momentous visit, the boat sailed south toward the Hudson River and Erie Canal to continue highlighting the message of nuclear threats in communities along a more than
six-thousand-mile journey. Click here for more info!
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A Summer of Feminism with Hardy Girls! | |
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Hardy Girls is having a feminism-filled summer, starting with our trip to Washington, DC! In June, Hardy Girls staff and seven members of the Feminist Action Board (FAB) program traveled down to DC to attend the United Nation's Girl Up USA Leadership Summit, which brought together 150 youth changemakers from across the country. You can read Fox Bangor's coverage of the trip here! The Hardy Girls team is now gearing up for Camp Brilliance, a low- and no-cost summer camp for girls and nonbinary youth entering grades 5-8 that focuses on arts and activism. The camp, which is in Waterville, has a few more slots open for interested campers: hghw.org/camp.
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This is just a small sampling of the critical work MaineShare members do to build a better Maine. Please join us in supporting and learning from the great work of ALL our member groups.
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