AUGUSTA - Rep. Morgan Rielly, D-Westbrook, introduced LD 1010, An Act To Establish the Maine Service Fellows Program, before the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government on Wednesday.
LD 1010 establishes Maine Service Fellows (MSF), a program designed to recruit and retain young adults and recent college graduates to work in rural and underserved Maine communities. Fellows will assist with critical economic relief projects and work to address long-term health, public safety, education and environmental issues facing Maine.
"In high school, I spent much of my time interviewing and listening to World War II veterans," said Rielly. "The people I got to know have had a profound impact on my life, and one of the life lessons that resonated with me is to lead a life of service. As we enter the third decade of the 21st century and are nearing the end of a pandemic that has taken over half a million American lives, it is evident that we need a new generation of Mainers to step forward to serve. MSF fills a crucial gap when it comes to service programming in rural parts of the state."
Fellows will be compensated for their work with a living wage, health benefits and partial student tuition reimbursement, removing some of the financial barriers associated with many service opportunities.
LD 1010 has gained support from Republicans, Democrats and Independents in the Maine Legislature, including the youngest members of the Maine House, Rep. Nate Carlow, R-Buxton, and Rep. Sophie Warren, I-Scarborough.
"Together, we represent a new generation of leaders in this state united in service and eager to aid fellow Mainers in need," said Rielly. "Service is and should be nonpartisan."
"We are in tough times and the financial, social and health challenges presented to us by the COVID-19 pandemic have inflicted unprecedented levels of damage to the fabric that binds our state and its different communities together," said Carlow. "This is one of those initiatives that brings a breath of fresh air to everyone who hears about it. It's this kind of out-of-the-box thinking that is going to deliver us out of the pandemic and start the process of rebuilding our communities."
"I think this is a Maine-specific solution that can exist beyond this period of time," said Warren. "It is so committed to the dignity of good work and is also being mindful of what is needed from small organizations."
Rielly is serving his first term in the Maine House of Representatives as a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs. He represents a portion of Westbrook.
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [Rielly], c. 812-1111