As
some of you have seen, we have always had a large map of
Maine in our office with each of the Communities for Children
and Youth partner communities named and mapped on it. We
bring a small copy when we attend conferences or workshops
as a part of the information we share about the initiative.
This map has recently been revised, and is now overlaid by
an artistic rendition of a fishing net.
“The metaphor of the net supports communities that are working to weave a community-wide net of relationships, opportunities, supports, and experiences--developmental assets--that children and youth need to thrive. No one person or system can create this net. It takes many adults partnering with many youth and organizations and systems to ensure a net strong enough to do the job.” (Nancy
Tellett-Royce, Director of Community Initiatives, Search
Institute).
You are the net! And as we utilize the internet in new ways, through the completion of our C4CY “Internet Mapping for Communities” project
and through this new rendition of our newsletter, we hope
you will never forget that each one of you forms a key link
in the net that protects all of our children and youth.
Happy New Year to all—may
all of our connections be deepened and strengthened!
KEYS of Promise
“How can the 37,000 people who live here, and the businesses, non-profit service organizations and governments that serve us, work together to plan our future by design, rather than leaving it to chance?” asked Diane Brandon in the “Kittery Community News,” Summer
2005. (read more)
 Woodland
Holiday Party in Kittery Maine
Communicating in Kittery
Continuous communication is key to
being and staying connected. Steve Workman, Chair of Kittery Children’s
Leadership Council, shares some of the communicating which
is practiced in Kittery on behalf of both young children
and teenagers.
Kittery Children’s Leadership Council meets monthly at the Family Resource Center in Kittery--a welcoming area designed with comfort in mind for small children and their parents. Brightly colored murals created by members of the center are on the walls, and comfortable chairs and play areas make it easy for adults and children to be together for play or learning. (read more)
Community Change Process Underway in Boothbay
Next month, we begin a series of articles describing what happens when a school district, a YMCA, and a community decide to build assets together. (read more)
Challenge Day at Searsport High School
Can you imagine a huge
room filled with high school students deeply listening
to each other to the point of understanding and accepting
their differences? Can you imagine students who were
formerly thought of a “bullies” or “loners” “strangers” and far worse and more descriptive of unacceptable behavior, speaking openly about forgiveness and support? And, can you imagine a room of high school students, deciding, among their peers, teachers, counselors, and other adults, that they can “be
the change they wish to see in the world?” (read more)
2006 /07 AmeriCorps*VISTA Sponsor Applications Coming Soon
Communities for Children and Youth is seeking organizations that can effectively utilize a full time, full year AmeriCorps*VISTA member to improve the lives of children and youth across the State of Maine.
Communities for Children and Youth, AmeriCorps*VISTAs serve full time to promote the healthy development of youth who are at increased risk of poverty. Organizations, schools, and agencies that support mentoring, youth development programs, and early childhood development programs are encouraged to apply.
Beginning January 30, 2006, sponsor Applications will be available for download at www.mainevista.net For more information please contact Program Coordinator Chip Curry at 287- 4341 or email chip.curry@maine.gov. The application deadline is March 7, 2006
Celebrate National Mentoring Month
In January, we are celebrating National Mentoring Month and Thank Your Mentor Day.
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Studies have shown that since 1960 American Children have lost on the average of 10-12 hours of parental time per week.
- According to the US Department of Human Services students who receive 1 – 4 hours per week of mentoring are 49% less likely to use drugs and 37% less likely to become teen parents.
- In the State of Maine, regional collaborative efforts have grown steadily since1997 and organized Statewide through the Maine Mentoring Partnership, uniting national mentoring organizations, local service providers, colleges, school departments and concerned citizens to improve the lives of kids through mentoring.
More information is available from: www.mainementoring.org.
The Merrymeeting Bay Mentoring Coalition
In honor of “Thank Your Mentor Day”,
January 25th, The Merrymeeting Bay Mentoring Coalition
would like to thank mentors for their incredible service to
the community. They invite you to bring a friend and help to
share the magic of mentoring with another member of the community
on Wednesday, January 25th, 5:30 to 7:00
p.m., at the Sweetser
Office Building (Bath Road, Brunswick).
Please join us for refreshments
and a chance to talk with local program representatives. At
6:00 there will be a special thank you for mentors along with
presentations by the Riverview Foundation, and the Mt. Ararat
High School Jazz Band. Thank you for all that you do, we hope
to see you there!
For More Information, visit the Coalition’s
new website: www.MerrymeetingMentor.org.
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