We are delighted to share that MaineShare is now a program of Maine Initiatives. Maine Initiatives is a foundation with a mission complimentary to that of MaineShare, and its progressive work is focused on social change in our community. They fund grassroots organizations committed to justice in Maine, and will provide resources and opportunity for collaboration that will allow MaineShare to better support its member groups.  

This change has been made very deliberately and thoughtfully, and we are grateful to the time spent by our member organizations, previous Board, and previous Interim Executive Director, Brenda Peluso, all of whom provided valuable feedback and guidance. I am also grateful to the Board and leadership at Maine Initiatives for their support during this transition and for warmly welcoming me to their team as Director of the MaineShare Program. I invite our community to reach out to me with any questions on this change, amanda@maineinitiatives.org.

I am very excited to lead MaineShare in this new chapter and be a part of the impactful work at Maine Initiatives. I know that joining forces in this way will expand the reach of MaineShare, increase awareness of our member organizations, and enable us to drive progressive change in the state. I invite you to learn more about Maine Initiatives here, and support our exciting transition by donating here. And of course, keep reading on to hear all about how our member groups are starting off 2022.

Other news includes the upcoming Distinguished Lecture Series featuring three prominent scholars and writers-- please register here. Also, nominations for HHRC awards and scholarships are open. These include: the Gerda Haas Award for Excellence in Human Rights Education and Leadership; the Spiegel student scholarship; and the Mathilda Schlossberger Outstanding Student of the Year Award. Please see our website for more details!

The 2022 tax season is officially open! All of the CA$H Maine locations are scheduling appointments for free tax preparation and it’s now possible to schedule your appointment at the website www.cashmaine.org. In response to the ongoing pandemic, CA$H Maine continues to offer no-contact and minimal-contact services for the upcoming tax season. This includes in-person tax preparation assistance (appointment needed) and fully-remote online tax assistance (no appointment required). 

Local volunteers handle tax preparation and are also able to talk through strategies and programs to help you with your financial needs and goals. For questions and more details please contact your local tax site, and check our website for updates!

A college education is critical for Mainers to boost their income and for our state to grow its economy. The Maine Center for Economic Policy (MECEP) is sounding the alarm about one common practice by educational institutions here in Maine and across the country that is locking up students’ potential, hurting both individuals and our economy.

Colleges and universities currently withhold the transcripts and diplomas of students who have outstanding balances, even for parking tickets or library fines. Without access to transcripts, students cannot re-enroll in school or bring earned credits to another school, leaving them with what are called “stranded credits.” Transcript and diploma withholding can halt students’ educational and career goals, negatively impact their credit, and worsen workforce challenges throughout the economy.

Nationwide, 98% of schools hold transcripts as a debt collection tactic, and national estimates suggest nearly 6.6 million students have earned credits they cannot use due to transcript holds. MECEP is calling for an end to transcript withholding — a practice that harms people and exacerbates workforce challenges. Click here for more information.

In February, Maine Audubon is offering two family friendly events for children of all ages to celebrate nature and wildlife in the winter. The first is Winter Fun Day on Saturday, Feb. 5^th from 11:00am – 2:00pm. This FREE event involves snow science, story walks, snowshoeing and ice skating and will take place at Fields Pond Sanctuary in Dedham. 

The second is their Winter Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 19^th, from 10:00am – 2:00pm. This carnival will be at Gilsland Farm Sanctuary in Falmouth, ME and is FREE for Members; $9 for Non-Members. This annual outdoor family festival celebrates winter weather and wildlife! Attendees will learn, create, and play at a variety of outdoor activity stations, including a winter wildlife touch table, tracking activities, snow science and art, and more! 

For more information on these events and more, visit maineaudubon.org/events/.

This property is protected from non-agricultural development thanks to an agricultural conservation easement held by MFT. New Roots was also awarded a $50,000 grant to implement an updated business plan that addresses production and distribution challenges.

Maine Resource Recovery Association will host a Virtual Winter Workshop on February 28th from 8:30am-12:30pm. This FREE workshop will include sessions discussing Consolidated Organics Collection and Grants in the Solid Waste Industry. Please contact us at information@mrra.net for more information.

Upisktwo* is a Mic’kmaq word that means “we return to that original place, and let’s try again.” In English it is often translated as “forgiveness.” On Tuesday, February 22^nd from 7:00-8:15 PM, Maine Council of Churches will host an online conversation with Maine author Shirley Hager and her co-author Rev. Shirley Bowen. They will be discussing their book, “The Gatherings: Reimagining Indigenous-Settler Relations“. This event is free but registration is required. Please visit here for more information and to register. Also, learn more about MCoC news here.

After 8 incredible years leading Hardy G*rls Healthy Wom*n, Kelli McCannell stepped down as Executive Director at the end of 2021. Adrienne Carmack, previously HGHW's Program Director, stepped into the Executive Director role on January 1, 2022.  Kelli is wished the very best of luck in her new chapter!

 Consider supporting our exciting transition!

This is just a small sampling of the critical work MaineShare members do to build a better Maine. Please join us in supporting and learning from the great work of ALL our member groups.