From June Koegel, President/CEO

Everyone these days seems to be lamenting the negativity in the world yet their own venting about it only adds to the noise.  

   I was struck by part of our Chaplain’s weekly prayer (see below) that reminds us that it is really our job and obligation as people of faith or people of values to raise up others in our path.  Sometimes it may be someone we like and sometimes it may be someone we don’t even know.  

   I see this happening in our criminal justice programs all the time.  Our employees working with individuals that society has punished and pushed aside – being willing to raise them up and show them a different path.  They find the good in them and the little things they do and recognize them through an encouraging word or smile.  

   You will also read about our Community Mediation Program doing great work around the state.  Not only are they training future mediators, but they are bringing people together to solve their problems and helping them to have empathy for one another.  

   It really falls upon each one of us to find ways, every day, to lift others up.  We serve the most vulnerable individuals because it is our way of lifting up those individuals that others pass by.  Please consider joining us in doing this work. Click here to donate, volunteer or learn about employment

Excerpt from our Chaplain’s weekly prayer:  “...help us to catch all those around us doing good things and remind them of such.  When we observe someone offering a smile; a kind word; an optimistic attitude; a random act of kindness; going the extra mile; impress on us, O God, to share our observation.  Remind us to find excuses to say such things as 'Thank you;' 'Good Job;' 'I’m impressed;' 'You are such a gift.' May we intentionally seek to lift the spirit of others this week by letting them know the kindness they express has not gone unnoticed.”

Growing Community

 In Belfast, at the Waldo County Jail, residents are offered the option of working in the Waldo County Maine Coastal Regional Reentry Center Garden Project.

“People either love it or hate it,” said Commissioner William Shorey, founder and director of the Garden. Farming is in his bones.

“I grew up on a farm, milking a hundred cows twice a day. I got up at 3AM, milked for 3 hours, went to school, then came home at 3:30 to do it all over again.” He is one of the ones who loves it. And it shows in his work with Reentry Center Residents.

read the whole story here 

Transforming Conflict, Preserving Relationships: Community Mediation Services is “Life Changing.”

Over the past year, a Maine farm family had trouble communicating as they worked to bring the next generation into the business side of the farm. Tensions developed in their relationships and they were at a loss as to the next steps.

Read about how Community Mediation Services helped this farm family navigate the complex maze of family business and personal decision making, and learn about other programs and services CMS offers by clicking here.

Camp POSTCARD was amazing this year! More campers than ever before at 165 kids!

We are already planning celibrations for 2018 Camp POSTCARD (June 15-June 22), our 25th birthday!

Read about Camp here and help us grow our Sustainability Fund by clicking here.