community connector pilot sites launch!

Age Friendly Coastal Communities - Healthy Peninsula (Blue Hill Peninsula, Deer Isle and Stonington)

The project goal is to develop a robust and sustainable volunteer recruitment, training, and support system for Bridging Neighbors, a program that leverages volunteers to provide resource orientation and advocacy as well as a friendly visitor to underserved, older adults within their home setting; to improve their understanding of and access to resources to support their health and well-being. 

Volunteer Coordinator - Joanna Bentley 

Age Friendly Bowdoinham

The pilot will develop Neighbor to Neighbor, a volunteer-led program to connect Bowdoinham residents with each other and to programs and services that can promote health and well-being. Through in-home visits, this pilot aims to reduce isolation, build awareness about available resources, and overcome barriers in accessing assistance. 

Outreach Coordinator - Sally Cluchey

Age Friendly Caribou & Limestone - Center for the Advancement of Rural Living 

The project aims to strengthen the ability to connect older residents in smaller communities in the Greater Caribou area with resources and social opportunities.

Activities are intended to foster the health, culture, and sustainability of our communities by developing active and engaged community-centered groups of Aroostook County residents, helping them to effectively work together to identify and meet local and county needs, advocate with governmental and private human service agencies. 

Community Connectors - Dottie Sines and Gala Boutot

Danforth Livable Communities

The pilot will identify the needs of older adults and pair them with resources: financial, wellness, housing, medical, transportation, safety, food insecurity, and social. The project will include developing social programs to connect people with neighbors and friends. The goal is to not only help people find what they need to thrive but to make it more comfortable to accept help or to participate in social opportunities. The work will be community driven with a focus on the priorities of our age-friendly plan. 

Community Connector - Aldene Saucier

Building Livability in New Gloucester - Age Friendly Gray/Age-Friendly New Gloucester

The pilot goal is to enhance the well-being and quality of life for older residents and others in need in Gray and New Gloucester. Activities will include coordinating community activities, developing programs, and facilitating access to community resources. 

Community Connectors - Lori Fowler and Cindy Slocum

Harpswell Aging at Home

The project aims to provide Harpswell’s older residents with information and access to supportive resources and social opportunities.  

Community Connector - Tom Mahoney

Grateful Undead (Sacopee Valley)

The project goal is to build and maintain relationships with area seniors to understand their needs, develop new ways to communicate and promote social and educational events being offered in the area, and to increase access to benefit programs. 

Community Connector - Jamie Gleason

Age Friendly Saco

The Community Connector will build effective relationships and partnerships with agencies/ organizations in the Saco region with a focus on aging.  Home assessments will direct HandyNeighbor program participants to community resources/ programs that help residents remain safely in their homes and engaged in the community.  

In addition, the Connector will coordinate rides for New Mainers to the food pantry and develop a program that allows New Mainers to develop job skills (including practice speaking English) by volunteer with Age-Friendly Saco. This Connector will work directly with the Mental Health First Responder in the City of Saco’s Police Department as well as the EMS Director for the City of Saco. 

Community Connector - Joe Moreshead

Age Friendly Sullivan

The project aims to enhance the well-being and quality of life for older adults in Sullivan and neighboring communities through coordination of community activities, developing programs, facilitating services, and connecting with other local organizations. 

Community Connector - Misty Gleason

Age Friendly Windham

The project addresses the well-being and quality of life for older adults through the development of community activities and programs, a disaster preparedness initiative, connection to resources and services, and partnership development with other local organizations. 

Community Connector - Erica Bell-Watkins

Age Friendly York - York Community Service Association

The project will provide programming, services, resources, and case management to address social isolation, quality of life for both volunteers and recipients of support and services, and other community needs including access to food, housing, fuel, and regional social services. 

Community Connector - Amber Harrison