Happy May, everyone! As we step into this beautiful month, we are filled with gratitude and warm thoughts for all the incredible mothers and mother figures who play such vital roles in our lives. They are the guiding stars that help us shine brighter, supporting personal growth and independence. Their love and encouragement remind us that we can achieve anything we set our minds to!

At the same time, we would like to take a moment to honor Memorial Day, a day dedicated to remembering and paying tribute to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the United States Armed Forces. This important holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, serves as a poignant reminder of the values of kindness, respect, and community that we hold dear at Opportunity Enterprises.

As we gather with our loved ones this month, whether to celebrate the amazing mothers in our lives or to reflect on the sacrifices made for our freedom, lets embrace the spirit of togetherness. After all, nothing says summer's coming like a heartfelt remembrance paired with a splash of gratitude! 

So, let's take a moment to appreciate our achievements and the supportive relationships that help us grow. Here's to a month filled with love, remembrance, and the warmth of community. May we carry these values forward in all that we do!

OEI Celebrates 17 years!

On April 17th we observed a significant milestone, "Founder's Day"—Happy 17th Birthday, Opportunity Enterprises! To honor Founder's Day, we celebrated with a week-long spirit week, where we dressed according to a theme each day and concluded the week with an agency-wide BBQ/tailgate party.

Rising Stars Therapeutic Farm

Check out the calendar below to see what fun and exciting events we will be having at the farm in May!

A few weeks ago, we had the joy of making a special trip to Clover Health Care to introduce some of our wonderful therapeutic friends to some truly lovely people. It was such a delightful experience, and we're already looking forward to our next visit with them!

PLEASE SHARE!!

OEI will sell raffle tickets for themed gift baskets in May to support our therapeutic farm program. $10 each or 3 for $25! This initiative helps children and adults of all abilities improve their physical and mental well-being in a therapeutic setting. Participants can enjoy activities like caring for animals, therapeutic horseback riding, and practicing organic gardening. Raffle tickets will be sold throughout May, with drawings held in June. Winners of each themed basket will be contacted directly. Tickets may be purchased online or at any OEI office location. Some of the cool basket themes up for grabs are: Garden, Fishing/Sportsman, Beauty/Spa, Pet, Baking/Cooking/Gourmet, Made in Maine, Candles, Summer Fun Outdoors, Travel, Date Night, Scratch Tickets/Gift Cards, Candles, Pets, Farm, Wine/Cocktails + MORE! We will be posting photos of each themed gift basket on our social media in the days to come, so stay tuned! FMI: 207-376-4911

The Cupcakery Cafe & Bake Shop

Mother's Day is just days away, and we are preparing for the occasion at The Cupcakery Cafe Bake Shop. Our bakery will offer delightful spring-themed desserts and floral treats to celebrate this special day. To ensure you have the perfect custom order for your Mother's Day celebrations, we recommend calling ahead to place your orders or sending us a custom order request, and we will respond to discuss details. Let us help you make this Mother's Day memorable with our delicious creations!

Bento box for Mom (custom mini cake/cupcake box set)

Chocolate-dipped Oreos

Starfish Greenhouse & Farm Stand

As spring gracefully transitions into early summer, May brings along perfect conditions for planting a delightful array of crops and flowers! With the soil warmed up, the worries of frost fading in many areas, and the lovely longer daylight hours, it's an ideal time for growth. No matter if you’re a seasoned gardener or taking your first steps into gardening, May opens up a world of opportunities to create a flourishing garden that will continue to thrive all summer long and into the fall!

Out & About in the Community

Welcome New Team Members

Keto Tchiputo - Direct Support Professional

Joel Kadima – Direct Support Professional

Jeremiah Alado – Direct Support Professional

Erin Leighton – Direct Support Professional

Roxanne Zwaga – Relief Community Case Manager

Ashlynn Pease – Relief Community Case Manager

Allyson Strout – Barn Manager

Cheyanne Fugere – Direct Support Professional

Star of the Month

This month, we are excited to spotlight Aurora as our Star of the Month. She consistently exceeds expectations, showcasing dedication and reliability that truly shine. Whether she is assisting wherever needed, mastering new procedures, or taking the lead on projects, she accomplishes everything with a positive demeanor and a strong work ethic. Her meticulous approach guarantees that no detail is overlooked, and her desire to learn and improve makes her an essential asset to our team. Thank you, Aurora, for being such an outstanding contributor—we value all that you do!

Kindness Activity

April Recap:

Hey there, amazing community! We just wanted to take a moment to send out a HUGE thank you to each and every one of you who joined us for our month-long April kindness activity in honor of Earth Day! Your enthusiasm and spirit truly made the month of April a joyful celebration of our beautiful planet and the kindness we can share. 

Together, we dug in, rolled up our sleeves, and made a positive impact that rippled through our community. Whether you planted trees, picked up litter, or simply spread smiles, every little act of kindness matters and helps to create a brighter, greener future for all of us!  

Let's keep this wonderful momentum going! Remember, every act of kindness, big or small, creates a wave of positivity. Let's keep riding that wave together! Thank you for being such an integral part of the Opportunity Enterprises family! Keep shining bright!