Warm and peaceful holiday wishes from the staff of Communities for Children and Youth to all coalitions, your members, and your families. May the New Year bring continued growth and connection to you and yours!

With deep appreciation,
Susan, Lauren, Chip, Kathy, Judith, Diane

The EdGE of Maine: Washington County

When I first began to study nature, I learned to watch edges. Life always takes place on the edges: of fields, of water, of mountains. The EdGE in Maine is an in-school, after school and summer program for children in grades 5-8 in Washington County, and is sponsored by the Seacoast Mission, based in Bar Harbor. For a hundred years, the Seacoast Mission has supported island and Downeast communities. The EdGE has plenty of edges, and plenty of life!

The results of the three years since EdGE began have included higher student grade point averages, more students and parents involved, more volunteers, and more businesses participating in the sponsorship of events. Charlie and Wendy Harrington, EdGE directors, were recruited from Camp Kieve, near Damariscotta, where they had perfected a model of leadership development for youth which included leadership training, communications skills, self study, and the adventure of a ropes course. Charlie managed that program, and Wendy is particularly accomplished at grass roots community development. In its second full year of operation, EdGE expanded from two schools (Addison and Harrington) to five schools, adding the schools in Cherryfield, Columbia Falls, and Mobridge. Washington County, one of the poorest counties in Maine, has had school drop out rates among the highest in the country, as well as high rates of domestic violence, substance abuse, and poverty.

During the school year, professional teacher-mentors are assigned to each school to support 5th-8th grade students who are not meeting academic standards. This work is done in-school and after-school. In addition, the after school program provides academic support for all students as well as enrichment and recreational activities. Vigorous exercise and wise food choices are included. Kids participate in their own schools or are bussed to other places for special events. Outdoor and other activities, including a ropes course, kayaking, art, service, and snow shoeing, happen near the schools and around the region throughout the year. There is close cooperation between the schools and The EdGE, arranging transportation for all. Community members, teachers, and children worked together, this year and last, creating a grand Halloween celebration and fund raiser: a Haunted Trails event at Weald Bethel, the Maine Sea Coast Mission site in Washington County. Excited young people in costume discovered that the trails they walked upon in the summer were transformed to a spooky wonderland filled with surprise encounters. Over 300 people attended this year’s Haunted Trails and over 60 volunteers helped to make it a success. More than 25 businesses donated goods or services. The money raised (about $500 after expenses) was contributed to an emergency fuel assistance program of the Maine Sea Coast Mission for people in the Cherryfield area.

Here are the goals of EdGE:

• Build Character
Teambuilding activities, interpersonal skill building, camping, kayaking, hiking and biking groups work together with great attention to collaboration and fun for all.

• Raise Aspirations.
Field trips to Boston, college campuses, and presentations from professionals in various careers. EdGE students participated in a workshop with artist Tim Rollins. The art created during the workshop was displayed at the Maine Center for Contemporary Art in Rockport.

• Contribute to the development of strong, nurturing, family
relationships.
Every month EdGE holds a family event that is educational, enriching and/or recreational. Over 90% of all EdGE families have attended one or more events.

• Increase children’s engagement with their local communities.
Communities for Children and Youth provided a VISTA who developed a strong volunteer program and began to develop a mentoring program to bring community adults into the program. Students within EdGE participate in a Maine Community Foundation program—Partners in Philanthropy, which gives them the opportunity to develop a grant funding strategy to disperse $5,000 in grant funds to non-profits in the area.

• Promote responsibility for individual health and wellness.
Every aspect of health is approached by The EdGE: community wellness, healthy food, exercise, mental wellness, and coaching for each young person to learn and grow more academically proficient.

The EdGE provides a common ground, shared, for children, parents, teachers, helpers, and the business community. Enthusiastic cooperation comes from the schools and from the community in general. Wendy and Charlie know and understand the importance of collaboration and community connectedness.

The EdGE has two advisory groups: one represents the Maine Seacoast Mission, which advises about policy; and the other is a twenty five member local advisory council comprised of youth and adults, community members, parents and guardians and school personnel, who help to plan programs and activities and provide communication among school, community, and The EdGE. This group meets monthly.

Keys for success?

• Careful notation and measurement of success factors, leading to the continuation and increase in funding as well as growth of community enthusiasm.

• Creating assets with young people providing visible and measurable results.

• Grass roots community development, bringing everyone to the planning table and enabling those participating to view themselves as active members of the community.

“We are certainly keen on young staff influencing young people and their families. Our students need positive life experiences that will impact long range decision making. We do not possess a magic wand but our kids deserve a little fairy dust.” Charlie Harrington

Funding and support for The EdGE come from the Maine Sea Coast Mission, 21st Century Community Learning Center, Maine Community Foundation, private foundations, Communities for Children and Youth, 4-H, Child and Family Opportunities, and Regional Medical Center at Lubec.

This is your newsletter. Please send your feedback to Judith Simpson, Editor. Many thanks! judith.simpson@mainegov