Building Future Program Provides Lifelong Tools for Mainers Leaving Prison
BANGOR, ME. — The 10 members of the inaugural Class of 2010 of Volunteers of America NNE’s Building Futures program graduated this past April 27 in a heartfelt ceremony at the program’s facility in Bangor, Maine.
“It was a very moving event,” says program manager Carrie Hart. “They were our first graduating class—consisting entirely of women leaving prison. We’re giving them a fighting chance to earn a livable wage and a better life for their families as they reenter society. We’re very proud of them, and we wish them well.” More>
Restorative Justice Project Honors June Koegel
BELFAST, ME. — June Koegel, president and chief executive officer of Volunteers of America NNE, was recently honored for her work in corrections by The Restorative Justice Project of the Midcoast (Maine).
Restorative Justice has been a major interest of Koegel’s along with her many other accomplishments during her more than 20 years working with Criminal Justice. “Restorative Justice offers an alternative to the current criminal justice system,” June explains. More>
Meet Mark Ellis, Our New Board Person
BRUNSWICK, ME. — Mark Ellis of Topsham, Maine, has been elected to a two-year term as the new chairperson of the Volunteers of America NNE board of directors.
“We’re delighted to have Mark join us,” says June Koegel, Volunteers of America’s president and chief executive officer. “He brings unlimited energy and vision along with a host of operational and technical skills—talents that our organization can use more than ever. Welcome aboard, Mark!” More>
New Partnership Offers Innovative Health Care for Vermont Seniors
COLCHESTER, VT. — Recently, PACE Vermont, On Lok, and Volunteers of America Northern New England (NNE) joined forces to offer an innovative program of coordinated PACE expertise, resources, and hope to seniors and their families in Colchester and Rutland, Vermont. More>
National Press Club Panel Discussion on Women and Aging to Be Simulcast at University of Southern Maine
PORTLAND, ME. — Volunteers of America’s national organization will be sponsoring a panel discussion on women and aging as part of a nationwide initiative on “Aging with Options.” The program called Women and Aging, America’s Emerging Crisis will take place at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.”
Here in Maine, Volunteers of America Northern New England will offer a free simulcast of the event, open to the public, at the Wishcamper Center (home of the Muskie School of Public Service) on the campus of the University of Southern Maine at 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on May 11, 2010. The Wishcamper Center is located at 34 Bedford Street in Portland.
“Maine has one of the oldest populations in America,” says, June Koegel, President and CEO for the northern New England affiliate. “The topic has proven to be of particular interest to local agencies on aging, policy makers, members of the medical community, caregivers, educators, foundations, and the general public.”
All are welcome to attend and admission is free (although admission is limited and filling fast). To register for the event, please go to the following website: http://www.sendaninvite.com/1/5113/uem,0/I5113_4132010122713.asp or send an email to joinus@voanne.org and we will contact you.
The event will include an opportunity for questions from the Maine audience to be addressed in the National Press Club question and answer session. After the simulcast, a panel discussion will be held with experts in Maine to provide a local context.
“Thanks to our long tradition of serving seniors via affordable housing and social programs,” adds Koegel. “Volunteers of America Northern New England is a leader in senior services in the region. We hope that our Press Club simulcast will help bring focus to the continued growth of Maine’s senior population as baby boomers retire and issues of health care, community connection, encore careers, and more that will put even greater pressure on existing systems.”
To become a sponsor of the Maine simulcast, please contact Jacob Roberson at Volunteers of America, at 207-373-1140 ext. 246 or jacob.roberson@voanne.org.
Major League Baseball Players Hit a Homerun in Maine
The Major League Baseball Players Trust has “gone to bat” again for Volunteers of America and the people of Northern New England.
The Action Teams for area high school students are mentored by Boston Red Sox Captain Jason Varitek, David “Big Papi” Ortiz and Mark Kotsay. Action Team projects have included reading to children and assisting teachers in day-care and Head Start programs, serving meals at homeless shelters and senior centers, collecting food and clothing for our summer camp and more. More>
Your Holiday Gift Can Change Lives... Here's How
Meet Christine Brennan, a longtime Camp POSTCARD friend and volunteer. Christine had a truly great idea. “My family said, ‘Stop giving us stuff for the holidays!’ So now I’m giving donations—in their names—to send two kids to camp.”
The camp is a free weeklong summer program for deserving Maine 5th- and 6th-graders from all around the State of Maine. It is run by Volunteers of America, the Maine Sheriffs’ Association and the Maine D.A.R.E. Officer’s Association. More>
After the Blaze…A Blazing Success
Ever see your life go up in smoke?
The residents of our Bradley Street Apartments in Saco, Maine did this summer. We were blessed that everyone got out safely—even the pets. But the facility, which houses people living with mental health, substance abuse, or who need help with independent living, was a total loss. The residents lost everything. Yet out of the ashes sprang an amazing response from the community. More >
Chuck Gould is named one of the Top 50 influential leaders by NonProfit Times
Congratulations to Chuck Gould, President and CEO of Volunteers of America, who has been named by NonProfit Times to its 2009 “Power & Influence Top 50” – a respected and coveted listing of the most influential leaders at work in American philanthropy. This is the fifth consecutive year Chuck has been included on the annual list, which has been published for the past twelve years. NonProfit Times is the leading business publication for nonprofit management. In naming him to the list, NonProfit Times stated, “Gould is a partner that other nonprofit CEOs trust. It’s a prime reason affordable housing is getting built in the Gulf region. VOA’s ‘Coming Back Home’ is creating more than 1,000 units of affordable rental housing and has partnered with other nonprofits through Katrina Aid Today to touch the lives of nearly 200,000 people.” More>
Pierce Atwood Attorneys and Staff Participate in 6th Annual Day of Community Service on Peaks Island
Pierce Atwood LLP is a leading New England commercial law firm headquartered in Portland, Maine and is recognized nationally and internationally in selected areas of expertise. Besides many financial and volunteer charitable activities, the firm hosts an annual Day of Community Service event for all staff and attorneys. Each year, Greater Portland non-profit organizations are invited to respond to the RFP. The firm closes for business one day each year so that all employees can participate in a pre-selected activity. This year, Volunteers of America Northern New England was truly fortunate to be chosen along with several other area organizations. More>
$130,000 Worth of Refunds Returned to Local Families and Economy
The Volunteer Tax Assistance Partnership of Greater Sagadahoc County completed and filed a total of 120 returns for local taxpayers during the 2009 filing season. This resulted in more than $130,000 being returned back to individuals and families and to the local economy in its first year of operation. The partnership is a collaborative effort between community agencies to provide free tax assistance and asset building resources to the residents of Greater Sagadahoc County. The team of volunteers prepared taxes for low to moderate income individuals. More>
Volunteers of America Wins Prestigious Annie E. Casey Award of Excellence for Community Corrections Program
Volunteers of America Northern New England received a $20,000 award of excellence for its community corrections program through the Volunteers of America / Annie E. Casey Foundation Family Strengthening Award Program. Accepting the award were (left to right) Betty Fortuin, program director, Community Corrections Transition and Reunification Program; Dawn Batts, Board Member for Volunteers of America; and Charles Gould, president of Volunteers of America. The award will provide continued services for the Community Corrections Transition and Reunification Program. This program provides offenders at the Maine Correctional Center in Windham with the necessary resources both during and after incarceration to ensure a healthy transition back into the family and successful re-entry into the community. More>
High School Volunteers Join the Red Sox for Training
Students and mentors from several Maine high schools recently traveled to Fenway Park as part of a nationwide youth volunteer program. The program is sponsored by the Major League Baseball Players Trust and Volunteers of America. Want to join our team? More>
Inmates’ Generosity Warm Campers’ Hearts
Female inmates from Cumberland County Jail today donated more than 60 handmade crocheted blankets to Camp P.O.S.T.C.A.R.D. (Police Officers Striving to Create and Reinforce Dreams), a program that provides a free week of summer camp to deserving youth from all counties in Maine. Created and administered by Volunteers of America, the Maine Sheriffs’ Association and Maine D.A.R.E. Association, Camp P.O.S.T.C.A.R.D. provides positive enrichment activities for deserving youth under the leadership of Maine law enforcement and criminal justice professionals who serve as camp staff. More>