Organization Updates

Catholic Charities of Maine has hired a new Refugee Medical Screening Supervisor, Gabrielle Lodge. Lodge has a master’s in Public

Health from the University of Illinois in Chicago, where they specialized in maternal and child health. They grew up in Westbrook and attended University of Southern Maine for undergraduate studies, and they have worked at St. Mary’s Hospital in Lewiston. Catholic Charities of Maine has also hired Carolyn Graney as our new Immigration Legal Services program administrator. The community knows Graney well from her work at Hope House, just down the street from the Sherman Street office. Welcome, Carolyn and Gabrielle!

Maine Community Integration is hosting an event for National Inspirational Role Models Month for Girls on November 7, from 1:00-4:00 p.m., at Lewiston’s Simard-Payne Park, 46 Beech Street. Girls of all backgrounds – and from third grade through college – are encouraged to come out for some fun and appreciation. Events will include empowerment seminars; a girl’s circle – where girls are encouraged to join a safe space and share their stories; and cool incentives and gifts for attending. Girls will leave with a skincare gift bag, contact numbers for fellow female community supporters and keynote speakers, and more. If you have any questions or inquiries, contact Fowsia Musse at [email protected]

Greater Portland Family Promise has hired Michelle Lamm as Executive Director. She brings

experience as a social worker and program manager to the position. She has served as the Social Worker at Portland Public Library, was Program Manager for the Maine Hunger Initiative at Preble Street for 10years, and is an adjunct professor with the University of Southern Maine School of Social Work. Greater Family Promise helps children and families access food, find temporary shelter, secure long-term housing, and achieve sustainable independence. This work during the pandemic is challenging, but Lamm is determined to develop creative solutions and effective safety protocols that will keep families, staff, and volunteers safe – always with the goal of reducing family homelessness.

 

Hope Acts has hired Julie Harrison as Program Manager. Harrison has worked in nonprofit program development and management with populations experiencing food insecurity, homelessness, trauma, and physical disabilities. She has a master’s degree in Organizational and Community Practice. The Asylum Seeker Assistance Program (ASAP) has adapted to serve clients in a safe manner during the pandemic. ASAP is open to any asylum seeker needing help understanding documents, completing work and housing applications, making medical appointments, etc. They also assist clients in completing work permit applications; this assistance is offered Wednesdays from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Assistance with other issues is available on Mondays and Thursdays from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. To make an appointment, contact Julie Harrison at 207-274-6005, [email protected]. French and Portuguese speakers may call or text Eliodor at 207-409-7952, [email protected].

The YWCA of Central Maine is offering a variety of classes and programs.
Zoom English Conversation Class: Mondays, 11-11:45 a.m. and 7-7:45 p.m.; Wednesdays, 6:30-7:15 p.m.; Thursdays 2-2:45 p.m. Ready Together (immigrant/refugee family engagement program for early childhood care): Wednesdays and Fridays, 9-11 a.m. This is a pilot program intended to provide children with access to early social and educational resources, while also addressing parent concerns and questions regarding early care. During each two-hour session, the parent participates in English language conversation while the child engages in early childhood activities. The maximum enrollment is three parents and six children, ages 2-5 years. Participants report that the children enjoy getting out of the house and the parents are happy to give their children a break from electronics. Women’s Single Gender Swim: Women-only swim lessons are designed for privacy, on Saturdays until Nov. 28. MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Wellness Programs: Virtual Guided Meditation and Chair Yoga, and Aquatic Therapy

Konbit Sante is a global health organization founded in Maine in 2001. With offices in Falmouth, Maine, and Cap-Haïtien, Haiti, its work is focused in Cap-Haïtien, where Konbit Sante collaborates

with four healthcare facilities to provide ongoing medical care. Konbit Sante’s approach revolves around strengthening the building blocks of the healthcare system, as defined by the World Health Organization. Recently, Konbit Sante had a change in leadership: Rupal Ramesh Shah became Executive Director, after former Executive Director Nathan Nickerson retired from his role but continues to serve in an advisory capacity. Originally from Tanzania, Shah has degrees in Microbiology and Public Health, and lived and worked in Haiti prior to joining Konbit Sante. The organization looks forward to increasing collaborations with other local nonprofits and businesses, and would love to hear from those who are interested. For more information, visit www.konbitsante.org or email [email protected].

The ACLU of Maine is hosting a Voter Protection Hotline. For questions about voting, issues casting a ballot, or to report trouble at the polls, call or text the ACLU of Maine’s Voter Protection Hotline at (207) 204-VOTE (8683), TTY: (207) 204-8684, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., or email [email protected]. The hotline will be operating through Election Day, November 3. Language interpretation will be available, and voters with limited English proficiency are encouraged to call if they have questions about voting or are having trouble casting their ballots. The ACLU of Maine is a non-partisan organization.