October was an exciting month for our team at CHCC, which included a visit to the York County Food Hub, providing resources around Red Ribbon Week, participated in the Youth Summit, and attended Biddeford Recreation's Trunk or Treat.

This month, we’ll be attending the 2026 Nurture ME Summit on November 5th - The Power of Perspective: Dismantling Stigma and Bias to Strengthen and Support Families.

This year's summit focuses on stigma and how it manifests in a multitude of ways, substantially influencing health disparities, access to care, and mental health outcomes. We will focus on the impacts of individual and structural stigma within maternal and child health and ways we can combat these effects to strengthen and support families in Maine. It brings together thought leaders and professionals who have a vested interest in promoting and supporting health and well-being of children and families across the stages of development.

The summit’s content is aimed at medical providers, behavioral health clinicians, social service providers, prevention professionals, public health educators, and community members.

NourishME Explores Partnership

with the York County Food Hub

Our NourishME team recently toured the new York County Food Hub in Biddeford and met with Katie Brown, Executive Director of Youth Full Maine. This exciting new resource will help reduce food insecurity by providing shared refrigeration, food storage, and improved distribution for food pantries throughout York County, while helping reduce food waste.

During the visit, our team explored opportunities to use the Hub's commercial kitchen for hands-on nutrition education classes and discussed future partnerships to improve access to healthy food and nutrition resources across our communities.

Want to bring Nourish ME to your community?

The Nourish ME program is part of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), which aims to promote population health through evidence-based Food Is Medicine (FIM) approaches. We're looking for organizations interested in hosting classes, referring participants, sharing resources, or partnering with us in other ways. Contact us at chcc@une.edu to get connected.

CHCC and local prevention coalitions are putting partnership into practice across York County, creating new opportunities to engage young people, strengthen community connections, and prevent substance misuse. Below is a snapshot of some of the work taking place in our communities.

York County Youth Summit

The Third Annual York County High School Youth Summit brought students together on October 29th at Spring Hill in South Berwick for a day focused on learning, connection, and empowerment. Through student-led activities, interactive games, a panel with college staff, and yoga, the summit offered opportunities for students to explore their futures, support their well-being, and connect with peers from across York County.

Red Ribbon Week: Powerful Connections

CHCC collaborated with the Middle School of the Kennebunks and Kennebunk High School on a Red Ribbon Week poster campaign promoting healthy choices, positive connections, and youth mattering. Featuring encouraging messages from trusted adults and opportunities for student participation, the posters reinforced that young people are valued, supported, and capable of shaping healthy futures.

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training

On October 30th, MaineHealth partnered with My Place Teen Center to host the first day of a Youth Mental Health First Aid training. The training will conclude on November 13th. We are grateful for our collaboration with MaineHealth's Partners for Healthier Communities and its commitment to supporting youth mental health. For questions about the training, contact Reegan Hebert at Reegan.hebert@mainehealth.org.

Lead Prevention

Project Home: Where Stability Starts

During Lead Poisoning Prevention Week last month, the CHCC team met with Project Home, an organization which supports stable housing for families in Maine. By helping families access housing, prevent eviction, and connect with health, education, and employment resources, Project Home supports parents and children together in building lasting stability. Its approach recognizes that a stable home is a foundation for better health, financial security, and stronger communities.

CHCC's first blog post, “No Person Should Have to Choose Between a Safe Home and an Affordable One,” offers a starting point for learning about an issue affecting individuals and families throughout our region. We invite you to read and share, and we will continue to provide blog posts that educate, inspire conversation, and share practical information on topics that impact the health and well-being of our communities.

Upcoming Events

Food Insecurity in Maine

Connect with neighbors over a delicious meal at Ferry Beach’s Community Dinner on November 17th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at DeWolfe Dining Hall, 7 Boardwalk Drive in Saco.

This month’s topic, “Food Insecurity in Maine,” features Katie Brown, co-founder and board vice president of the York County Food Hub and founder and director of Youth Full Maine. Learn about food insecurity in York County and the new Biddeford-based hub, which will procure and store large quantities of food to support local hunger programs. Tickets are $25 per person and include appetizers, entrées, desserts, and drinks; view the menu and register online.

Youth Full Maine Food Distribution

November 5th from 2-3pm at Town Hall, Dayton

November 18th from 10am-12pm at Rotary Park, Biddeford

For more information or changes in Youth Full Maine's free food distribution events, follow their Facebook page.

Recipe of the Month

Coastal Healthy Communities Coalition

207-602-3589

chcc@une.edu

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