Dear Friends,
Over the past few months, I have been thrilled to attend events hosted by our member groups and see the community impact they make in person. In May, the Maine Council of Churches hosted the compelling speaker Dustin Ward in Brunswick to speak to the harms possible when we focus on maintaining civility rather than disrupting unjust systems. I was moved by the speaker and gained so much from the engaging community conversation that was part of this event. A recording of the event can be found here.
Last month, my siblings and I treated my mom to a puffin cruise out of New Harbor, ME, where I was excited to learn the narrators and educators come from Maine Audubon. This cruise was full of joy and learning, as we were taught about all the birds we could see, enjoyed a night on the ocean, and got an up-close glimpse of the Maine puffin colony at Eastern Egg Rock. Learn more about puffin programs with Audubon here!
Last week, I attended the Fueling our Fire event at Broadturn Farm, hosted by the Maine Women’s Lobby. This event brought together local feminist politicians to educate and inspire us for the upcoming election season, and to share about the work being done to advance gender justice. The energy in the barn was electric, and I was humbled to be in space with those making impactful systemic change in our communities. I look forward to attending more member events around the state as it is safe to do so!
And speaking of events, please save the date for the MaineShare Greendrinks event on September 13th at 5:30 pm! We are honored to have been chosen as the recipient for the September gathering with Portland Greendrinks, and grateful to our member group, Maine Audubon, for hosting this event at their Gilsland Farm in Falmouth! Please visit/follow Greendrinks for more information and to be alerted when tickets for this awareness-building and fundraising event are available!
With inspiration and gratitude,
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Amanda Langley (she/her/hers), Director of the MaineShare Program
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Exciting Member Updates and Events! |
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Free occupational safety and health training classes with Maine Labor Group on Health |
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Maine Labor Group on Health, now in its 45th year, is happy to announce that it has been funded by OSHA to provide FREE occupational safety and health training classes to non-profit workers and employers. These one to two hour sessions can be stand alone or linked together to form a more substantial class. Topics include: job hazard analysis; blood-borne pathogens; workplace violence; kitchen hazards; chemical safety; lead awareness; personal protective equipment (including respiratory protection); confined spaces; young worker safety; and others. All classes are free and can be done in-person or virtually.
Non-Profit organizations who have questions or would like training can reach Peter Crockett at 207-446-5762 for more information.
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Maine Equal Justice helps Mainers increase their financial stability |
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The Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine presents new exhibit, Reflections on Genocide |
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A new exhibit at the Michael Klahr Center displays striking works of art created by Maine students. The Reflections on Genocide exhibit grew from a collaboration between Casco Bay High School and the University of Maine, where students expressed their reflections in a university course entitled “Art and Genocide: A Case Study of the Holocaust,” using art as activism.
The art encompasses memorials designed to put a face on genocide and attacks against members of any community, and serves as an historical reminder so we may never forget. The students’ work poignantly evokes the horror in every act of genocide and, equally powerfully, the forces that fight against hatred with love. Consider visiting the pieces in person, and learn more about them here.
Image entitled Definitions of Light, by Fiona Nichols, Casco Bay High School Class of 2025
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NextWave Radio Hour, a new program from WERU-FM! |
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NextWave Radio Hour from WERU-FM is a new program featuring folks in their 20s and 30s, often referred to as Millennials, from all across Maine. In this program, host Pepin Mittelhauser will be discussing issues, news, and current events both locally and nationally, and featuring young creators who trailblaze their own paths in our modern political, economic, and social climate. This program hopes to provide unique perspectives of life from the next generation working to create the future they hope to lead. The debut episode, which will be archived as a podcast, features several people telling their stories of finding their places in the world. Learn more here!
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Maine People’s Resource Center celebrates 40 years with its founder, Maine People’s Alliance |
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Forty years ago, a group of neighbors in Lewiston gathered around a kitchen table to talk about issues in their community. The issues were tough – but they knew if they worked together, they could find a way to solve them. So, in 1982 they formed an organization, Maine People’s Alliance. Its leaders founded Maine People’s Resource Center two years later. Now is a great opportunity to celebrate 40 years of People, Power, and Progress with MPA. Join on September 23rd at Thompson’s Point in Portland for this milestone– more information can be found here!
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Next Step Organizing workshops this fall with Resources for Organizing and Social Change |
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Resources for Organizing and Social Change (ROSC) is partnering with Community Change Inc. to provide Next Step Organizing virtual workshops this fall. These workshops will provide relationship and skill building for aspiring and current grassroots organizers building an antiracist culture of belonging in Maine. From October-December, these workshops will include an opening and closing virtual gathering and 4 skills building workshops. For more information, please contact sass.rosc@gmail.com or jake@communitychangeinc.org.
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Natural Resources Council of Maine celebrates environmental changemakers |
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On July 14, more than 200 people gathered in Portland to celebrate six young environmental changemakers, our 2022 Brookie Award winners. Senate Chair of the Legislature’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee, Senator Stacy Brenner, emceed the evening, and many Maine businesses and individuals were generous sponsors of the event. Following the ceremony, at which guests heard from all of this year’s Brookies, the six awardees spent a weekend on Cow Island with NRCM Rising Director Todd Martin and others for trainings about leadership, DEIJ issues, and personal growth.
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Learn More about the Earned Income Tax Credit with Maine Center for Economic Policy |
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The Maine Center for Economic Policy (MECEP) doesn’t just analyze the issues, it advances solutions. While approving one-off stimulus checks, the 130th Maine Legislature and governor also permanently doubled the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) — a MECEP policy priority. This change creates stability for more than 90,000 Mainers working to make ends meet. But to benefit from the stimulus checks or the EITC, Mainer’s need to complete their state income taxes.
Watch this video, produced in partnership with Mainers for Working Families, and visit this link to learn more about this support, why it matters, and how to get it.
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Maine Farmland Trust summer farms activities map is here! |
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Summer in Maine has blossomed, the weather has warmed, berries ripened, and the days are long and sweet. If you’re looking for opportunities to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather, take a peek at Maine Farmland Trust’s Summer Farms Activities Map! Whether you are looking for a family-friendly outing, places to pick your own blueberries, or opportunities to listen to amazing local music while nibbling on fresh local food, Maine farms have got you covered. So grab your calendar, and some friends, and get ready to start planning your farmland adventures!
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Defend Our Health celebrates 20 years of victories with Fall Brunch |
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Defend Our Health is excited to celebrate 20 years of victories, and look ahead to ensure the work continues to create a healthy, toxic-free, and climate-friendly future, with justice for all. Their Fall Brunch Celebration will be held Sunday, September 11th at Broadturn Farm in Scarborough and will include food, drinks, and music, as well as environmental health and justice leadership awards. Visit here for more information, including registration!
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More summer events with the Bicycle Coalition of Maine |
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Event season is in full swing at the Bicycle Coalition of Maine (BCM)! There is still time to sign up for the BikeMaine Weekend road ride from August 26-28 and the Maine Woods Rambler off-road adventure ride from September 24-25. If you are not a member or supporter of the BCM, please consider joining today!
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Maine Resource Recovery Association hosts recycling tour |
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On September 12th, the Maine Resource Recovery Association will host a tour of the AIM Recycling Facility in Bangor. For more information and to register, please click here.
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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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