September 2020 | Volume 1 |
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President's Perspective: What Sets
The River Fund Maine Apart
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There are over forty non-profits based in the Bethel/Newry area. In fact, The River Fund Maine grew out of another highly respected organization, the Sunday River Community Fund, that for ten years funded a broad range of valuable community projects. So why do we need another non-profit? The answer is “people.” The heart of a place lies in its people. People are what determine whether a place flourishes, whether its beauty is protected, whether it can weather the inevitable changes that the future brings. Certainly, these last months have demonstrated that the future can hold more challenges than we ever before imagined. Which is why The River Fund Maine focuses on investing in the future of our kids: To equip them to deal with the problems that will lay before them and our community in an ever-changing world. By looking beyond immediate problems—no matter how real—our sights are set on the kids who are leaders and the problem solvers of tomorrow.
-Leslie Jones, Board President
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Directing The River Fund Maine: Join Our Events While We Plan for the Future |
Welcome to autumn, the start of a new academic year for students and new routines for the families that support them, a time when the possibilities seem endless. It’s that feeling—eagerly anticipating what the future holds—that TRFM is focused on providing for students and our community.
We’ve learned a lot during our first couple of years and are grateful for your support that has allowed us to create initial educational programs benefiting students now and our community in the long run. While we are proud of what’s been accomplished it’s only the beginning.
We are hard at work on strategic plan that lays out TRFM’s future and just like the change of season, creates great anticipation of what’s possible. We have also been busy planning a full slate of events that has something for everyone.
Thank you for believing in what is possible when all members of a community work together for a common cause.
-Jim Largess, Executive Director
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In Luci's Words: TRFM's Inaugural Scholar Shares Her College Journey |
Hello to The River Fund Maine Community!
I’m Luci Rothwell, and I am the inaugural recipient of The River Fund Maine’s scholarship. I look forward to sharing my college experience with you.
I have had a fun-filled, productive few months getting ready for college. Most of my summer has been occupied with training for basketball at Husson University, spending quality time with family, and taking an online course through CMCC.
Lately, I have been purchasing and packing the things needed for school for my move-in day. Even the simplest things such as buying a new computer, along with dorm room and school supplies, are making me so excited to begin my classes at Husson.
Again, I am ever so grateful for the opportunity that The River Fund Maine and its supporters have given me, and I am excited to begin sharing my journey with all of you!"
-Luci Rothwell, TRFM Scholar
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Empowering with Education: Perseverance & Resiliency |
At the onset of the pivot to remote learning, we quickly saw that educational programs are a network of complex and vulnerable systems. We also learned that teachers and students rise to challenges with perseverance, creativity, adaptability, and resiliency. Yet, as March turned to April and now to September, we see that systemic vulnerabilities of schools widen inequities and threaten critical programming.
The River Fund Maine’s mission statement aims to “provide financial and community support for youth to unleash their potential through education and recreation.” It is critical for students and teachers to know there are organizations like TRFM working each day to bridge critical gaps, like internet connectivity support, and provide student-centered workshops to promote 21-century skills. Although COVID will challenge TRFM's programming, we will rise to the challenge and provide access and inspiration for the Mahoosuc area’s students and teachers.
-Sara Shifrin, Gould Academy
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TRFM Board Member Profile:
Robert Vigneaux, Capital Group
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I’ve worked the finance industry for over 25 years with my focus in business development for a California-based investment company. Traveling 75% of the time means my downtime with family is precious to me. Much of it is spent in the Sunday River area.
Although we’ve only owned a home in Newry for several years, Western Maine from Sebago Lake to Rangeley has been a year-round favorite for as long as I can remember.
Our family of seven—Mom, Dad, three teens, and two dogs—is rich with varied interests. We feel incredibly blessed to be within a 3-hour drive of an area which has a great variety of recreational activities, is breathtakingly beautiful, and has such a strong sense of community.
The work of The River Fund Maine helps enrich the community by providing opportunities to the kids in the area; I’m honored to be on its Board.
Back home on the North Shore, I’ve recently tried getting my family involved with beekeeping, but surprisingly (to me), my teens will have none of it.
-Bob Vigneaux
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