AcadiaChamber Press: May 2016

Monday, May 23, 2016

Neighbor4Neighbor Fund Receives Anonymous Donation, Seeks Applicants

Thanks to a generous anonymous donation, the “neighbor4neighbor” Fund continues to accept 2016 applications. The Fund, administered by the Maine Community Foundation and coordinated by Healthy Acadia, provides mini-grants to seniors in need across Hancock and Washington counties. The mini-grants help to address challenges that many of our seniors face each day.

“Many seniors in our region are struggling to meet their basic needs and to stay healthy,” said Elsie Flemings, Executive Director of Healthy Acadia. “This is a critical initiative, and we at Healthy Acadia are honored to be a part of it.” The “neighbor4neighbor” Fund was initiated in 2014 by Maine Community Foundation founder and founding president of the College of the Atlantic Ed Kaelber in his effort to create positive change by giving back to his community. He especially encourages seniors to contribute to the fund and support their peers who are struggling.

The “neighbor4neighbor” mini-grants can help individual seniors meet a specific need, such as wheel chair ramps or handrails, to increase accessibility or mobility. It can cover the cost of optional medical equipment: eyeglasses, hearing aids, and dentures, for example. The mini-grants may also be used to provide or increase access to support services that can help seniors maintain quality of life and remain independent in their own homes.

To view and print the one-page “neighbor4neighbor” Fund application form, visit: http://www.healthyacadia.org/documents/GrantApplication_neighbor4neighbor.pdf.

To learn more about the “neighbor4neighbor” Fund, or if you have questions about what may be eligible, contact Nina Zeldin at Healthy Acadia at 667-7171 ornina@healthyacadia.org. To make a donation to the Fund, contact the Maine Community Foundation at 877-700-6800 or www.mainecf.org.

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In Washington County:

(207) 255-3741

In Hancock County:

(207) 667-7171

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www.healthyacadia.org

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Monday, May 16, 2016

Welcome to new Chamber Member Maine Seacoast Mission

Please join us in welcoming our newest Chamber member - Maine Seacoast Mission.

What does the Maine Sea Coast Mission do?

The Maine Sea Coast Mission provides spiritual, health, and youth development programs in coastal and island communities from mid-coast to Downeast Maine. Rooted in a history of non-denominational service, the Mission offers hope, encouragement and help to strengthen individuals, families and communities. Programs and services include: the Christmas Program; the EdGE, after-school and summer programs for youth in Washington County; emergency financial assistance, addressing immediate needs such as heat, electricity, and other emergency circumstances; food pantries; ministries to island and coastal communities, including partnerships with four island churches and a fisheries resource management policy consultant; scholarships; Sunbeam Island Health Services; and a thrift shop.

Learn more about the Seacoast Mission at: http://www.seacoastmission.org/index.php

MDI Hospital and Healthy Acadia Community Health Needs Assessment of MDI Region Offers Guidance for Future

The 2016 Community Health Needs Assessment for the Mount Desert Island region identifies top community health needs for the MDI Hospital service area, including the outer island communities and the towns of Bar Harbor, Mount Desert, Southwest Harbor, Tremont, Trenton, Hancock, and Lamoine.

“The 2016 Community Health Needs Assessment serves as a framework and guide for Mount Desert Island Hospital and Healthy Acadia in developing and strengthening our programming to fulfill the needs of our MDI communities,” said Shoshona Smith, Healthy Acadia’s Systems and Innovations Coordinator. “The report is available to all local organizations and community members to support their efforts to address and coordinate community health improvement.”

Over the past year, MDI Hospital and Healthy Acadia have gathered data from community members through a local advisory council, discussions with community groups and a collection of 382 surveys from participants across MDI Hospital’s service area. This data collection, combined with local demographic and health information, brought forth six strategic issues: health care; food; physical activity; substance use; social/mental health and healthy environments. In order to address these issues, “Theme Teams” comprised of Healthy Acadia and MDI Hospital staff and community stakeholders met to develop goals and strategies to address each issue.

Goals and strategies for addressing each issue take into consideration both the availability and access of resources and strategic environmental and systems-level change that will allow for healthier communities, workplaces, and schools for all.

To view the full 63-page report, visit www.mdihospital.org/community-benefits-reporting/ or HealthyAcadia.org/resources/health_assessments.html.

To learn more about this assessment and action plan, please contact Oka Hutchins at 288-5082 ext. 1423, oka.hutchins@mdihospital.org, or Shoshona Smith at 667-7171 ext. 11, Shoshona@HealthyAcadia.org.

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