Reflections On End of Summer
Dear Friends and Community,
As the leaves change and the air grows crisp, we are reminded of the beauty of transformation, a season that mirrors our community’s resilience and growth.
This fall, our organization continues to stand with our communities through one on one peer support, making meaningful connections, finding joy and staying grounded even when times get harder and harder. Our new cohort of youth are starting to step into gaining leadership skills, setting personal goals and high standards for their bright future though #GOALS program, our Older Adults are enjoying weekly wellness activities, mental and physical health related workshops and making social connections to combat elder isolation. Our women's group is setting healthy boundaries and letting go of unnecessary baggage to lighten their loads. Each story behind our programs reminds us that when communities come together, healing and hope take root.
This season, we invite you to join us in sustaining our work. Whether through volunteering, partnering on programs, or making a donation. Your support ensures that under-resourced communities have access to the opportunities, dignity, and belonging they deserve.
Thank you for walking alongside us through every season of change. One step at a time.
MANA Team
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Put Your Foot Down For Racial Justice and Equity Outdoors
For the second year in a row, MANA was one of two BIPOC-led justice organizations to receive an unrestricted grant from Summits In Solidarity.
Money was raised through an annual Spring hike-a-thon. Participants spanned at least 15 states and 3 countries this year. They blew the top off their 5000 mile goal by hiking, walking, or riding over 7000 miles for this cause.
MANA's gratitude is boundless. We are so thankful to everyone who gave their energy to this year's work, stepping up for racial justice and accessibility in the outdoors!
Follow summitsinsolidarity if you'd like to sign up to participate next Spring!
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MANA Staff Development: Group Facilitation Training
MANA's Wellness Team engaged in an Intro to Group Facilitation Training in preparation for the workshop series, Parenting Across Cultures, a series designed to support families.
From shared laughter to powerful reflections, we explored a truth that's always been with us: peer support isn't new. It's something our communities have practiced for generations whether helping a cousin fill out forms, comforting a neighbor in crisis, or offering wisdom from our own journeys.
Our lived experiences are maps. Our stories are tools. And through this program, we're proud to uplift families as they adjust, adapt, and raise their children with strength, love, and knowledge across cultures and continents.
Email info@mana-maine.org to learn more about Parenting Across Cultures.
| | | WELLNESS & PEER SUPPORT PROGRAMS | MANA’s “Things She Carries” program offers bi-monthly sessions to create safe spaces for women to metaphorically “declutter and dump their heavy bags.” Participants take a pause from their busy lives for self-care and for reflection on their life journeys. We have moved intentionally into 2025 and have been adding in dance, movement and art to balance our energy! See stories below! Do you need to unpack your bag? Follow this link to sign up for “Things She Carries” | | Finding Balance In A Challenge | |
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Surfing Lessons With More Women Surf
When women come together, the ocean feels less intimidating and a lot more like home.
MANA's #WeOutsideWomen (#WOW) program created a safe space for women to learn, explore, and overcome fears together. From setting up camp to suiting up and carrying boards to the shoreline, every moment was a reminder that community care makes all things possible.
Here's to new experiences, brave beginnings and waves we'll never forget!
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Letting Go Of Unnecessary Baggage
On Sept 11, we went for a group walk and evening picnic on the Back Cove Trail in Portland. Our conversations revolved around the value of mental liberation that releasing emotional weight can provide. We practiced emotional decluttering and learned strategies to cultivate a lighter, more positive mindset, opening the door to new opportunities and a sense of freedom.
Follow this link to sign up for “Things She Carries” Women's Group activities!
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Embracing Imperfections
This session included foliage painting in appreciation of nature's visual gifts during this beautiful early Autumn season. We focused on shifting our perspective to see flaws as part of our unique story rather than failure. This fosters self-compassion and resilience as well as appreciation of what each of us bring into this world.
| | | Above: Our young adventurers stepped back in time to explore the historic Songo Lock and had an unforgettable day on the water with @mefishwildlife learning about local ecosystems and trying our hands at fishing on the river. | | Above: Adventure Bound Maine treated the WEO Youth to an unforgettable white water rafting experience that pushed us out of our comfort zones and deep into connection. | | Above: Trip to Niweskok: Seeds of Hope We learned about land, food sovereignty, Wabanaki knowledge, and how healing happens when we root ourselves in the earth and each other. | | |
#WEOUTSIDE WOMEN AUGUST RETREAT
HOSTED BY THE MAHOOSUC GUIDE SERVICE
| | What is there to say when we give ourselves time to get away, refresh and reset? We enjoyed fresh air, good food, a little laughter and healthy competition, and were able to share our whole selves with other women. | | |
At MANA, we are committed to combating the epidemic of isolation and loneliness experienced by older adults by creating spaces that foster connection, social interaction, movement, and creativity. We offer individual sessions, group activities, workshops and occasional overnight retreats in the nature.
Time together include activities such as light stretches, and arts and crafts — offering moments of joy, relaxation, and cultural sharing.
Activities are designed to encourage storytelling, meaningful conversations, and friendships, strengthening bonds within our community. 💛
| | If you know an older adult who would love to be part of this, please reach out to us! | | | Exploring Reid Beach In July, our #WeOutsideElders gathered at Reid Beach for a beautiful day of exploration with our friends from Maine Fish and Wildlife. Together we walked the shoreline, dipped our toes in the cool ocean water, learned about Maine's coastal ecosystems, and listened to the wisdom of the waves and of each other. | | | Taking to the Seas In early September, the elders took to the sea and spent a beautiful day on Peaks Island. This may have been the last trip of the season, but the spirit of togetherness keeps us going strong. | | | Wellness Retreat for our #WeOutsideElders We gathered for 3 days at the beautiful Kennedy Learning Center at Camp Kieve. Our time was filled with grace, laughter and wisdom. In the photo above, we explored how the foods we eat and the traditions we carry shape our mood, memory, and well-being. We reflected on how our long-standing cultural diets have shifted over time and how we can be intentional about nourishing our bodies and minds with care. | | | | |
Our Welcoming the Stranger mentoring program is now in its tenth year! WTS matches volunteers with asylum seeking individuals or families, to provide a warm welcome to the Greater Portland community. We are also piloting a youth mentoring program. Contact Amy if you're interested in learning more. Or use these links to apply to become a volunteer mentor or an immigrant mentee!
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Sailing Builds Community & Helps Clear The Mind!
This summer, Sail Maine proved that community is built one shared adventure at a time! Sail Maine offered Welcoming The Stranger and MANA families and their mentors free sailing cruises every Saturday, all summer long. A volunteer captain took participants sailing on Casco Bay. Participants got to see islands, lighthouses, historic schooners, lobster boats, ferries, and a few seals and eagles! One crew even saw a giant jellyfish!
During these stressful times, being on the water was a healthy way for mentees to clear their minds for a few hours and simply enjoy nature.
| | Check our website and social media regularly for more information about our upcoming programs. |
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