|
Dear Friends,
The ongoing impact made by each and every one of our member groups continues to astound me. We have members on the frontline of advocacy to better support Maine families. Others have immediately stepped in to help those impacted by PFAS chemicals found on Maine farms. And others work tirelessly to help Mainers secure appropriate and affordable health insurance for themselves and their families. I invite you to read more about our member work in the updates that follow. And to read the
next in our MaineShare Member Spotlight Series, a profile on the recent work of Maine Access Immigrant Network-- it can be found here!
For our member groups, I invite you to check out a technical assistance resource, Equitable Recovery Wallet. This initiative provides free assistance to community-based and under-resourced nonprofits to help them achieve stronger, equitable outcomes. Their free webinars include topics such as theory of change and scenario planning.
To our MaineShare community, now is a great time to be part of our impact and grow the ways in which we support our member groups. We hope you consider being part of our annual appeal and donating to MaineShare today. You can do so here!
With appreciation,
| |
Amanda Langley (she/her/hers), Director of the MaineShare Program
| |
Exciting Member Updates and Events! | |
Disability Rights Maine’s Health Care Access Survey | |
|
Disability Rights Maine (DRM) is conducting a research project that will identify barriers to accessing health care that Maine people with disabilities experience every day. The goal is to improve health care systems by collecting data and stories directly from people with disabilities.
DRM knows that people with disabilities face a wide range of barriers to accessing good health care, however no one has collected this data before. This survey is a rare opportunity for people with disabilities to share their experiences navigating the health care system. We need to hear from you! The survey can be accessed online through the following link: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7084454/DRMsurvey2022
The survey is also available in American Sign Language through the following link:
https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7090703/ASLDRMsurvey2022
The survey can be taken in any language, so if you would like to take the survey in another language, please contact Jennifer Battis to set up a time to take the survey in your language using LanguageLine. Jennifer can also answer any other questions about the survey. She can be reached at jbattis@drme.org or (207) 626-2744.
| |
Learn more about the Maine Legislature and Volunteer with Sierra Club's Legislative Team! | |
|
With the election over, now the hard work begins to ensure your priorities are made reality in Augusta. Are you interested in being a part of advocating for Maine’s people and environment? Want to learn more about how the Maine Legislature works and how bills become law? Then Sierra Club Maine's Legislative Team and their upcoming trainings are for you!
On December 13th from 4-6pm, Sierra Club Maine's Legislative Team is hosting a Legislative 101 Training via Zoom, to answer all your questions about how our State government works. The training will include:
- An accessible overview of the Maine’s three branches of government - the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches
- An introduction to the Maine House and Senate and how they work together
- A step by step overview of how a bill becomes a law in Maine
- Examples of how Sierra Club volunteers have passed legislation in past sessions
- Tips for talking to legislators and advocating for your priorities!
We need your help to make climate justice a reality in Maine. Sign up for Sierra Club Maine's Legislative training and team meetings today!
| |
Polar Bear Dip and Dash with Natural Resources Council of Maine December 31st! | |
|
NRCM is excited to once again host our annual Polar Bear Dip & Dash in person on Saturday, December 31st. This fun 5K and icy dip into Casco Bay is a great way to ring out the old and ring in the New Year. We will be at a new location this year, Southern Maine Community College in South Portland, with all funds raised supporting our Climate & Clean Energy program. We are also continuing to offer a virtual option, so if you can’t join us at SMCC, you can dip and/or dash at a location of your choosing. To learn more and to sign up, visit https://www.nrcm.org/events/polar-bear-dip-dash.
We hope to see you at the beach on December 31st!
| |
Mano en Mano supports workers arriving in Maine for harvest seasons | |
|
Throughout Maine this season, Mano en Mano has supported harvest workers through their Access to Essential Service and Migrant Education programs. The team has also organized mobile welcome and resource fairs at worker housing and employment sites, welcoming folks to our community and connecting them to resources and services they may need while in the area.
In total, the team supported more than 1,800 people at the fairs, and distributed more than 35,000 pounds of food including culturally nourishing produce, meat, and non-perishable items. Folks in attendance were also given health and safety information, lists of local resources, warm clothing, shoes and blankets to keep folks warm over the cold winter months. To learn more about the wonderful efforts at Mano en Mano, visit this link!
| |
Consumers for Affordable Healthcare reminder to sign up for health insurance at CoverME.gov by January 15, 2023 | |
|
Do you know someone who needs health insurance? Free, confidential assistance is available to help Mainers understand their options and enroll in coverage. Visit CoverMe.gov or call Consumers for Affordable Health Care, Maine’s Consumer Assistance Program, at 1-800-965-7476 for help sorting through options and enrolling in coverage. Most Mainers who signed up for coverage through CoverME.gov last year received help paying for their coverage, and that help is available again this year.
Don’t wait! Some options are time limited. Enroll in a Marketplace plan before December 15 for coverage to start January 1, 2023 or by January 15th for coverage to start February 1st. Consumers for Affordable Healthcare provides free, confidential help by phone via their trained assistants, and also provides help enrolling in Mainecare.
| |
Work with New Ventures Maine! | |
|
New Ventures Maine has immediate openings for two full-time Small Business Advisors to join our microenterprise team. Work with a team that creates an empowering environment for Maine people to define and achieve their career, financial, and small business goals.
One position is based in Bangor and will serve Ellsworth and Downeast communities; the other is based in Lewiston and will serve Western and Central Maine. Both advisors will offer classes and individual coaching to entrepreneurs who are planning and launching new businesses.
The positions offer a flexible work schedule with office hours, some travel, and some evening and work-from-home hours. Benefits include employee and dependent tuition benefits and comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. For more information and to apply, follow these links:
| |
|
Maine Equal Justice (MEJ) has a new guide that can help answer questions about home heating assistance. This guide will help you find out what programs could benefit you or your loved ones, how to apply, and answer frequent questions. Heating assistance is available for those who own or rent homes, and emergency help is also available. And this guide also provides information about similar programs like those helping with electric costs, home weatherization, and repairs to your heating system. Please check out this valuable resource today!
| |
Maine Peace Fund supports event for Human Rights Day | |
On Saturday, December 10th, Human Rights Day, human rights attorney Frank Panopoulous will present a talk in collaboration with Maine Peace Fund. From 7-8:30 live on Zoom, Attorney Panopoulos will present Held Indefinitely and Without Charge: The Guantanamo Bay Prison. Attorney Panopoulos has worked on peace and social justice issues since 1979. For more information and to register, please click here. | |
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.
| | | | | |
