LEWISTON, ME (December 8, 2022) – Lewiston community members talked and truly listened to each other at the December 8 Be Kind To Your Mind Community Conversation About Mental Health Awareness held at Connors Elementary. The point that mental health is health period—just like a cold, broken leg, or another physical condition was repeatedly stressed. 

The exchange was honest and powerful, and Mayor Carl L. Sheline praised the hosting Lewiston Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) for being in tune with the community’s needs. Councilor Linda Scott, City Council liaison to the youth council, also praised LYAC for helping people feel comfortable to open up and share. 

“Mental health is a topic we shouldn’t shy away from. By courageously talking about it, we can start to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and, even better, focus on getting the help and resources to those who need it the most within our community.  I am incredibly proud of our Lewiston youth for taking the initiative to have this conversation. They are in touch with our community needs, and we should follow their example by bravely engaging in discussions like this with our families, friends, and neighbors. I am inspired by their advocacy work, as it demonstrates the impact that can occur when communication is at the forefront,” said Mayor Carl L. Sheline. 

Mayor Sheline also led a moment of silence in honor of the recent passing of former youth council member Omar Osman.

A panel of professionals fielded audience questions from elected officials, parents, youth, and teachers. On site were: Colin O’Neill, Tri-County Mental Health Services Chief Clinical Officer; Amran Osman, Generational Noor Executive Director and Founder; Megan Parks, Licensed Social Worker/Substance Use Counselor/Clinical Supervisor; Lisa Escobar, Lewiston Public Schools Substance Use Coordinator/Licensed Counselor; and Lewiston Police Detective Joe Philippon.

 Questions were thought provoking to include, “Is it OK for teen boys to cry; what do you do if your parents or guardians are struggling with mental health; and what if your feelings are dismissed by others?” 

Other topics included the importance of validating people’s feelings, understanding emotional triggers, knowing you aren’t crazy if you are struggling, looking at root causes, de-stigmatizing mental health challenges through education, knowing it’s ok to express yourself if you are sad, understanding that mental health isn’t the absence of stress and anxiety but having the ability to manage it, increasing mental health cultural competency, recognizing that those with struggles aren’t second tier individuals, enhancing communication, and securing more mental health resources and funding. 

 Mental health reflective artwork were on display from Generational Noor and  Sadrii Mohamed, and mental health resources were also available, to include LYAC’s QR Code that provides a listing of places to contact for assistance. 

In addition, post-its were available for people to express how they were feeling upon arrival and how they were feeling after the community conversation. Arrival post-its included “feel like giving up” and “overwhelmed.” Departing post-its were encouraging and included comments like, “there’s hope because people are listening” and “clarity and hope in our youth.” 

Attendees mingled and further discussed mental health with youth council members and fellow audience members after wrap-up.  Kaydence Gibson, LYAC member, looked around and said, “I’m really proud of us.”  More on the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council and resources from the event can be found at www.lewistonmaine.gov/lyac

Members of LYAC

LEWISTON, ME (December 6, 2022) — New Beginnings, Lewiston/Auburn Alliance for Services to the Homeless (LAASH), Trinity Jubilee Center, and the Pleasant St. Drop-in Center invite the community to join their annual candlelight vigil to remember people without stable homes during the holiday season to be held from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 21, 2022 in downtown Lewiston. The vigil is part of a national movement of cities marking National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day on or near the winter solstice, the first day of winter and the longest night of the year.

Supporters are invited to meet at 4:30 p.m. below the HOPEFUL sign along Main Street in Lewiston, and are encouraged to add names, photos, and candles to a temporary visual memorial to honor our unhoused friends and neighbors who died in the past year. Each person should bring their own flashlight or electric candle to hold, and a sign if they choose.

Vigil participants will then stand along both sides of Main Street in Lewiston with lights and signs to raise awareness about the crisis of homelessness to passersby during the Wednesday evening commute from 4:30 until 5:30 pm (between Mill St./Hopeful sign and Lincoln St./Veteran’s memorial).

PLEASE DRESS WARMLY – event will be held no matter the weather.

Names or photos for the event’s visual memorial may be submitted in advance via email to nicole@newbeginmaine.org by 12/15/22.

Parking is available in nearby municipal lots. Event details and downloadable flyer available on New Beginning’s website at https://newbeginmaine.org/events/2022-homeless-vigil/

Each year since 1990, the National Coalition for the Homeless has co-sponsored National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day. In an effort to maximize the impact of the day, organizers have encouraged statewide and local groups to hold events of their own. New Beginnings and LAASH have held the L/A Vigil annually for more than 20 years.

ABOUT the Sponsors:

New Beginnings (134 College Street Lewiston) has helped runaway and homeless youth find opportunities for the safety, connection, and growth that they need to thrive since 1980 through shelter, housing, and outreach programs since. To learn more visit https://newbeginmaine.org/ or call (207)795-4077. For 24-hour Helpline, call Marian’s Place Shelter: (207)795-4070.

The Lewiston/Auburn Alliance of Services to the Homeless (LAASH) is a collaborative of organizations that seeks to improve the manner in which homeless persons and those at-risk of homelessness in the Greater Lewiston-Auburn area are assisted to find housing with appropriate services to maintain independence. Connect at https://www.facebook.com/groups/LAASH1 or email contactlaash@gmail.com.

Trinity Jubilee Center (53 Spruce Street Lewiston) is a secular organization in the heart of Lewiston, serving those in need since 1991 with a soup kitchen, food pantry, day shelter and warming center, refugee assistance, and help finding work and housing. (207)782-5700. https://www.trinityjubileecenter.org/

Pleasant Street Drop-In Center (First Universalist Church of Auburn UU at 169 Pleasant Street Auburn) is a volunteer-run low barrier weekend resource center welcoming the unhoused community with meals, donated basic needs items, and clothing – currently open Sundays and Wednesday mornings. PSDI welcomes people of all backgrounds and life experiences to “come as you are” as valued members of our community. Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/716529479663868

AUBURN, ME (December 1, 2022) – The Auburn Community Concert Band, under the direction of Milt Simon, will present its customary holiday concert on Wednesday, December 14 at the Gendron Franco Center in Lewiston. The free, 75-minute performance will begin at 7:00 p.m. The band’s holiday concerts were cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.

This season’s 38-member concert band is comprised of volunteer musicians from 14 central Maine communities, who range in age from teens to 80’s. The group will perform both traditional and contemporary songs celebrating the Christmas and Hanukah holiday seasons. The concert will conclude with an audience sing-along.

Continuing a tradition which began over four decades ago, those attending the concert will have the opportunity to make a donation to the local branch of the Salvation Army. All money collected in the Army’s red kettles that evening will be used to help Central Maine residents in need of assistance this winter. Majors David Irwin and Jessica Irwin are expected to attend the concert and address the community’s urgent need.

Small’s Greenhouse in Auburn is providing poinsettias to decorate the Franco Center’s stage. Immediately following the evening’s performance, attendees will be able to purchase these plants with all proceeds going to the Salvation Army.

The Gendron Franco Center takes its residence inside a city landmark, the former St. Mary’s Church, located at 46 Cedar Street in Lewiston. Ample free parking is available in the Oxford Street lot, located across the street from the Franco Center’s side entrance.

For more information regarding this concert, call the Gendron Franco Center at 783-1585. To check on any last-minute changes or updates, visit the band’s web site at www.auburncommunityband.com

LEWISTON, ME (December 2, 2022) – The holidays are about connecting with friends and family, and UScellular is nourishing these connections by enabling communities to share a meal with the ones they love. 

In a surprise visit on December 2nd, UScellular donated food items to Kaydenz Kitchen to aid them in their mission of getting food to those in need. This donation will help stock their shelves at the food pantry. 

“Kaydenz Kitchen does so much for our community, so we wanted to fulfill their wish list and help them deliver the much-needed support they provide throughout the Lewiston area,” said Tabatha McKay, area vice president/general manager at UScellular in New England. “Food has the power to connect people, and we believe every family deserves to come together, strengthen ties, and make memories this time of year.” 

In 2017, Kayden Boilard took notice of a great need in the Lewiston community and asked her parents if they could all find a way to help people get food that they desperately needed. She and her family started a small food pantry and Boilard would shop for food and deliver boxes to those in need. With her parents help, they have expanded and started a 501(c) (3) non-profit, Kaydenz Kitchen Food Pantry and operate out of 550 Lisbon Street in Lewiston.

In 2019, UScellular celebrated Kayden Boilard of Lewiston as one of the company’s The Future of Good recipients. Through The Future of Good program, UScellular donated $10,000 to youth for their inspirational acts of good in their communities. Last year during the holidays, UScellular reached out to Kaydenz Kitchen again, providing the organization with a$500 gift card to support the organization’s operational costs.

“Kayden is near and dear to our heart, she is an incredible young person making an impact on her community,” adds McKay. “We are so happy to continue our support of her mission to bring food to those in need.” 

This holiday season, UScellular is providing food banks, pantries, and shelters with needed supplies and has a goal to support more than 135 organizations across the country. UScellular retail stores are also collecting donations for local food-focused non-profits. For more information, go to newsroom.uscellular.com/nourishing-connections. 

Since 2009, UScellular has donated more than $22.6 million along with countless experiences and technology items to nonprofit organizations across the country. For more information about the company’s community involvement, go to newsroom.uscellular.com/community.

Kevin Boilard from Kaydenz Kitchen, with UScellular’s Jonathan Isacco, Dallas Phillips, and Andrea Tomer, and Brittany Carver from Airtime Cellular, a UScellular agent location. Photo by UScellular

AUBURN, ME (December 2, 2022) — The City of Auburn invites residents and visitors to spend this holiday season in the heart of downtown Auburn. This year’s exquisite 40’ city Christmas tree – a blue spruce that was generously donated by the Auburn Housing Authority – has been decorated with care by the team at Auburn Public Works. It will be illuminated on Thursday, December 8 at 6:00PM to the delight of spectators at the city’s annual tree lighting event, officially kicking off the holiday season in beautiful downtown Auburn.

The Auburn Business Association will be on hand at the tree lighting, offering free cocoa and donuts, as well as free mittens and gloves. The tree lighting event will feature our very special guest, Santa Claus, who will arrive at Festival Plaza escorted by the Auburn Police, Fire, Public Works, and Recreation Departments.

It will also mark the grand opening of the city’s inaugural Christmas Shopping Village. This very special shopping experience is Auburn’s version of a European Christmas market, with tiny shops nestled around the Christmas tree. There will be six new vendors each week, offering unique, local gifts & products. The Village shops will be open from 4:00 – 8:00PM on the evening of the tree lighting.

The Village will “officially” open on Saturday, December 3 at 3:00PM. Following the tree lighting on December 8, the Village will be open each Thursday and Friday from 4:00 to 8:00PM and on Saturdays from 10:00AM to 3:00PM, with several more appearances by Santa.

For a complete schedule and a list of vendors, visit www.goauburn.me/christmas-village.

The Edward Little High School Grandstand Club will be among the Shopping Village vendors. This non-profit organization will be set up at the Village all month, selling hot cocoa, coffee, and delicious snacks to help support student athletes in Auburn.

LEWISTON, ME (December 2, 2022) – Androscoggin Home Healthcare + Hospice hosts its first annual Chair’s Reception as a way of saying “thank you” to the donors, sponsors, board members, and volunteers from the previous year in the spirit of the holiday season of giving.

“We’ve seen over 16,000 patients this year, navigating about 3,800 patients a day that we’re helping through healthcare across this state. 260,000 times, one of our clinicians has walked into somebody’s home here in Maine, 28% growth since 2019” said Ken Albert, President, and CEO of Androscoggin. “There is a need for sure. You are investing in a need, and we appreciate that we do our work with volunteers. We cannot do that without the support of the community.”

Similar to Androscoggin’s Annual Meeting, guests listened to stories and witnessed instances of their gifts in action, while enjoying refreshments among Androscoggin’s greatest supporters. 

Albert remarked, “I want to thank you very much for supporting our mission. We cannot fulfill our mission without the support of the community, and our donors are just essential to that. When I say donors, I mean people who donate their time and talents. Regardless of how you support us, you are ambassadors in the community, and we highly appreciate that.” highlighting the value of the contributions to the organization.

AUBURN, ME (November 25, 2022) — The Stanton Bird Club is hosting the second in its 2022-23 lecture series, this time with a focus on the natural and cultural history of New Zealand. President Jeri Maurer and Vice President Nancy Kleckner will be sharing photographs and experiences from their visits to New Zealand.

Land of geothermal areas, volcanoes and the Southern Alps, New Zealand is famed for its unusual birds including the national emblem of New Zealand, the Kiwi. One of the most isolated countries in the world and the last major land mass to be colonized by people, it is home to the M?ori people who began arriving in New Zealand about 1000 years ago.

The talk will be held on Monday, December 5 from 4-6pm at the Auburn Public Library. The public is welcome. The lecture series is free of charge. We encourage participants to wear masks. The Stanton Bird Club, a leader in environmental awareness, manages the Thorncrag Nature Sanctuary as well as the Woodbury Nature Sanctuary in Monmouth and Litchfield.

More information about other activities of the Club can be found at www.StantonBirdClub.org and on its Facebook page.

Kiwi, Photo by Jeri Maurer

AUBURN, ME (November 20, 2022) — We are delighted to announce that the City of Auburn will be presenting our first annual “Christmas Shopping Village!” This special shopping experience, our version of a European Christmas Market, will be located in the heart of our downtown in Festival Plaza, with small “pop-up shops” sheds nestled around the Christmas tree. Think cocoa & coffee, unique gifts, wreaths, holiday music & more. There will be a grand opening for the Village on Saturday, December 3 as part of Auburn’s annual tree lighting event! 

Our good friend Santa will also be part of the Christmas Shopping Village! Visit with Santa and take your own FREE photos. Santa will help us light the Auburn tree on Saturday, December 3rd, then he’ll be around on some other dates, too. Check the schedule below and watch for the Santa hat so you know which days he will be here!

 Visit https://www.goauburn.me/christmas-village for more information.

LEWISTON, ME (November 22, 2022)—A festive holiday-themed La Rencontre luncheon has been planned for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, at the Franco Center. The event will include lunch and live holiday music in its downstairs Heritage Hall.  

La Rencontre (the gathering) is not restricted to French-speakers or even those of Franco descent. All are welcome to attend this event. Lunch is at 11:30 a.m. and will consist of tourtiere, butternut squash soup, and cake.   

After lunch, Present Company will provide entertainment. Members of this trio are three Franco-American cousins from Lewiston: Lorna Jollymore, Diane Meservier, and Margaret Dix.  They have been performing together in public as Present Company for almost 35 years. Their singing will be accompanied by Jollymore on the keyboards. 

Tickets for La Rencontre must be purchased by noon on Monday, Dec. 5, and are $15. Tickets will not be sold at the door. The price includes the meal and entertainment.  

Order tickets at www.francocenter.org/shows or 207-689-2000. Purchase tickets in person at our box office between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  

Support for this event comes from FACE Foundation, Quebec Delegation Boston, and TV5Monde. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Franco Center and its mission to preserve its home in the former St. Mary’s Church and to bring the best in arts and entertainment to the community.  

Other holiday events at the Franco Center include the Don Campbell Christmas Concert Dec. 16 followed by a fundraiser for the Franco called Sights & Sounds of Christmas on Dec. 17 and 18. Tickets are on sale now. 

The Franco Center is at 46 Cedar St. in Lewiston. The building is handicap accessible on the Lincoln St. Alley side. 

Present Company will provide musical entertainment at the Franco Center’s La Rencontre on Thursday, Dec. 8. The performing trio includes Lorna Jollymore, Diane Meservier, and Margaret Dix. Doors to the event open at 10 a.m. Lunch is at 11:30 followed by entertainment. 

LEWISTON, ME (November 22 2022) — Lewiston community members and mental health professionals will have an opportunity to discuss mental health challenges on December 8. A Be Kind To Your Mind mental health forum, hosted by the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council (LYAC), will be held at Connors Elementary School, 400 Bartlett Street, starting at 6 p.m. The forum is free to attend.

“The youth council believes that creating this open conversation will give everyone the opportunity to be involved and be heard,” said Elissa Nadeau, LYAC Chair. “You’re not alone, even if you tell yourself you are,” said LYAC member Asli Osman. In September, the youth council decided that their next project would focus on mental health awareness, expressing concern about peers and community members they’ve observed emotionally hurting.

“The fact that youth council members are stepping up to make positive connections regarding mental health awareness is huge. Not only are they in tune with community needs, but they are taking action. Their example is something that we can all learn from and emulate,” said Mayor Carl L. Sheline.

“I cried today and nobody knew,” was a statement that LYAC member Feysal Abdirahman recently heard an individual say that really impacted him.

“You don’t have to struggle in silence,” said LYAC member Destiney Graham. “The importance of mental health for students has a direct impact on how our kids take in new information, understand new concepts and master new skills. When our kids are struggling with depression, anxiety or mental health issues, it is almost impossible to achieve goals and navigate the challenges of everyday school life. We as adults and parents should always have the mental health of our kids as a priority, and when our own youth take the lead on this subject, we should support them in any way that we can,” said Linda Scott, City Councilor/School Committee member.

Councilor Scott is also the liaison between the City Council and the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council. Speakers at the forum lined up so far are: Colin O’Neill, Tri-County Mental Health Services Chief Clinical Officer; Amran Osman, Executive Director/Founder of Generational Noor; Lisa Escobar, Lewiston Public Schools Substance Use Coordinator/Licensed Counselor; Megan Parks, Licensed Social Worker/Substance Use Counselor/Clinical Supervisor; Lewiston Police Detective Joe Philippon; and LYAC Vice-Chair Ava Golder.

Also at the forum will be mental health resources, a Q & A period, related artwork, and wall-size post-its, providing an opportunity for attendees to share feelings when entering and exiting the forum (not required).

LYAC has also acquired a list of mental health resources that are available online at www.lewistonmaine.gov/lyac and through a QR Code. They have also established a lengthy list of positive affirmations that Lewiston School Superintendent Jake Langlais has been daily tweeting.

Ava Golder, LYAC Vice-Chair, has also filmed a social media video sharing her thoughts about mental health challenges.

“Building awareness about mental health concerns is clearly very important to the current LYAC membership. It’s impressive to observe them brainstorm about community outreach and express genuine concern about fellow community members. They want their Be Kind To Your Mind forum to provide encouragement and hope to others,” noted Dottie Perham-Whittier, Community Relations Coordinator/LYAC Advisor.

Hope is definitely on the mind of LYAC member Ahmed Hussein who quotes Confucius, “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”