Dear Friends,
Overall, February has been a good month for MaineShare. We continue to receive good news about many of our workplace campaign results and our member groups are letting us know how much they appreciated their January distribution. The unrestricted funding they receive consistently, twice per year, through the generosity of our dedicated workplaces, employees, and non-workplace donors has added to their resiliency as we’ve all navigated the past year.
Unfortunately, we have heard of one member group that has had to lay off their staff and is continuing to find a way forward with a dedicated group of volunteers. We are hopeful for the promise of spring, mass vaccination, and the resumption of the in-person, relationship building that so many of our members rely on to improve the quality of life and preserve our environment for all Maine residents.
February was also Black History Month and while I wish for a day when we didn’t have to have a month to ensure a full-true telling of history, I am grateful for learning about Norma Miller & New Philadelphia. It is sad how long this journey for equality has been and the centuries of discrimination and violence is beyond sad. I am always moved by the incredible human spirit to overcome and I’m grateful for all the work dedicated advocates and allies are doing to advance the human condition.
I hope you enjoy this collection of news and good work from MaineShare.
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As Maine rebuilds from the pandemic, our "new normal" should be more equitable.
More than 40 Maine organizations, including Maine Equal Justice, have come together to call on policymakers to embrace a “Vision for an Equitable Maine” to help guide and inform policy decisions to help Maine recover from the pandemic -- and to come back better than before.
The Vision for an Equitable Maine spans agendas and constituencies to look holistically at the system and policy changes needed to address inequities laid bare by COVID-19. The Vision provides a blueprint for the changes that are needed in 13 areas, including racial equity, income equality, healthcare, education, housing, our environment, public safety, democracy reform, and workers’ health and safety.
Individuals can sign up here to receive periodic updates.
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The MWL Education Fund works to make gender-equitable public policy more transparent and accessible to all Mainers. This year they have more resources than ever before to help you get connected. Join them every Thursday from 12:15-12:45 for "Bill Bites: Legislative Information for your Lunch Hour" to learn more about different bills traveling through the Maine Legislature, follow along with over 200 bills on their public tracking document, review their citizen advocacy page for frequently asked questions about reaching out to your legislator, or watch their "How To" series of mini-videos showing Mainers how to navigate the legislative website. Tools and resources are available at mainewomen.org.
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Tuesdays, February 23, March 16, April 6 & 27, 6-7:30pm
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This online series is designed to equip, empower and inspire Maine’s people of faith to advocate for social justice at the state legislature level.
Week 1: Who Invited God to Augusta? An exploration of the theological, ethical and scriptural foundations for doing social justice advocacy, featuring a panel discussion with Rev. Linette George, Rev. Dr. Jodi Hayashida and Rev. Dr. Marvin Ellison, and three case studies.
Week 2: Perspectives on the Legislative Process Analysis of how policies impact communities of color and impact those experiencing poverty, hunger and homelessness, followed by breakout sessions for beginning and advanced advocacy skills.
Week 3: Bills Before the 130th Legislature An in-depth look at specific bills; discussion led by secular policy analysts and theologians.
Week 4: Practice, Practice, Practice Former state legislators hold a moot legislative committee hearing and a mock town hall meeting so participants can get experience and feedback.
Cost is $30.00 and scholarships are available. Discount rates for congregations who send a group.
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March 16th @ 7-8pm (EST) on Zoom - Hardy Girls Healthy Women hosts Ruckus Roundtable: Wom*n in STEM
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Women are often erased from history and the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) field is no different.
Join Hardy G*rls Healthy W*men on March 16 at 7pm via Zoom to hear from brilliant g*rls and wom*n in STEM in Maine. Tickets are sliding scale including free option. For more information: https://hghw.org/programs/roundtable/
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Donna Loring is a highly esteemed Penobscot Elder and the host of Wabanaki Windows, a public affairs program on WERU that addresses Native American issues, particularly in a local context. Recently the PortlandPress Herald published an excellent profile of Donna and her work. Wabanaki Windows airs every fourth Tuesday, 4-5 p.m. It also streams live and in archived format at http:/weru.org.
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Saturday mornings from 11am to 12pm, WERU offers up great programming for kids and families. Tune in and find out what “for kids of all ages” really means!
Our newest show is Moose Juice, Jellies, and Jams, hosted by Emma Weiss on the second and fourth Saturday of each month. Emma joins the longtime host of the WERU Family Radio Hour, Scot Canon (first Saturday). Rounding out the month on the third Saturday is the syndicated program The Children’s Hour. Read more about our excellent kids and families programs!
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MAC published the 9th edition of its Maine Animal Resource Guide and it is available on our website free of charge. The Guide is 31 pages of important information about how to get help in Maine if you have almost any animal welfare issue. The 9th edition includes interactive links to make finding resources easier
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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.
In solidarity,
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Brenda Peluso, Interim Director
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