News of The Rotary Club of Portland, Maine
August 24, 2022
This Week: "Narcan Training - How You Can Save A Life" - Nicole Proctor and Tommy MacElhaney
The Portland Recovery Community Center vision is that every person affected by addiction in Maine will have direct access to a local recovery community center that provides support groups, education, and individual resources to enhance their ability to heal, strengthen and grow in their recovery pathway, throughout all stages of their journey. Our meeting will welcome Nicole Proctor and Tommy MacElhaney, who will speak to the needs for Narcan training in our community.
 
Nicole Proctor is a person in long-term recovery and Program Director of the Maine Recovery Hub at PRCC. Nicole joined PRCC in 2018 and has since worked with many communities throughout Maine to establish and build recovery community centers in their area, providing education, technical assistance and trainings to grow Maine’s statewide network of recovery community centers. She has a passion for helping break the stigma of substance use disorder and bringing peer recovery support to underserved areas throughout our state. 
 
Tommy MacElhaney's journey into recovery began in 2012 in Portland ME. He has diverse experience working in various modalities beginning with peer support(CIPPS) and later residential mental health work(MHRT). He has been a practicing Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor since 2016 and is currently employed as an Outreach and Harm Reduction Specialist with the OPTIONS program.  Tommy enjoys being able to connect with and offer resources to individuals struggling with substance use disorder and to help others find recovery.
Meeting of August 19:  Long Creek Youth Development Center Leadership Brings New Vision | by Tom Talbott
 
In front, Barbara Willey with guest speakers Catie Curry, Stephanie Netto and Lynne Allen.
In back, Tom Talbott, Jim Willey, Mike Fortunato, Dave Putnam, and Bruce Jones.
 
About a year ago, Lynne Allen was having a rough day at work at the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services, and to lighten the day, a co-worker gave her the job posting for the open position of Superintendent at LCY. Well, Lynne applied, but quickly came across a mountain of bad press – “not just stones but boulders” being thrown at the LCY staff. Lynne definitely did not want to throw away a 20-year career for a place that does not want to be the best. What swayed her was meeting the dedicated LCY staff, people doing the best that they could, under tremendously difficult circumstances. It was enough to persuade Lynne to make the move north.
 
There are currently 28 youth at LCY right now, who cannot be anywhere else for various reasons. The goal is to see them gain the skills they need to become productive members of society, and develop the ability to make better life choices.
 
It is recognized that there are psychiatric mental health issues at play, where frankly the client should not be in a juvenile detention facility. Unfortunately, there is nowhere else to go in Maine. LCY is dealing with kids who have had very traumatic histories, and that means that in many situations their emotions come out through their hands.
 
Successes are more often very private, but the failures are very public. If a poor decision is made, everyone hears about it, it's headline news. Lynne was quick to point out that more students find a pathway to success than we will ever hear about.  Good news doesn’t sell papers.With new behavioral models in place, and new ways of developing coping skills, Lynn relayed that significant progress is being made.
 
Friends of Long Creek Youth is a non-profit organization heavily comprised of Portland Rotarians. It was through a donation by the Friends, that all youth receive a new suit after 30 days in the facility. Be it a job interview or a court appearance, the kids are not showing up in a facility uniform. What a difference it makes in terms of developing a better personal feeling, pride, and desire to make changes, rather than feeling they are an inmate.
 
Next up, Catie Currie, Principal of the A.R. Gould High School. Gould is an accredited High School within the facility, with three different graduation avenues to pursue. First is a traditional HS diploma available to any student who comes through, second option is the HiSet equivalency diploma that Maine chooses to offer, and finally a tie-in with the SMCC College program.  There are 12 educators, a strong ratio for 28 students, but she noted that each student takes a lot of individual attention. In addition, students are constantly rotating in and out, so everyone is at different levels at any given time.
 
These kids have had very negative experiences in school, and so a major step is to make school feel safe again. They don’t trust teaching staff, and certainly not the Principal! Currie sees the path forward by rebuilding that trust, and opening the doors that can transition a student back successfully into their hometown public schools.
 
David Putnam, a Friends of Long Creek board member, introduced Stephanie Netto, LCY Chief of Volunteer Services, to respond to, “What is the biggest challenge". Stephanie said it was convincing these kids that they’re worth something different if they so choose, and that they can get there if they want. Stephanie described it as the “a-ha” moment, when a kid does something they never thought they could, such as graduating from high school.

Club members are encouraged to join in the programs and activities we sponsor at the LCY facility. If you are interested in mentoring, reach out to Stephanie Netto. We would also point out the website to Friends of Long Creek Youth, who organizes many of the participation events.
Bits and Pieces| by Juliana L'Heureux
The weekly meeting at the Italian Heritage Center in Portland was called to order at 12:15 PM, by the President Bruce Jones. 
 
For the invocation, Larry Gross presented an inspirational message: “May God bless you with boundless love, calming peace and heavenly joy throughout the coming year”
 
Bruce Moore introduced two Rotary guests. Mick Weltman, who was a former Rotarian for years and just moved to Portland, is a prospective member. Chris Reed, a guest from the Rotary Club of Coronado California, who is a travel writer. Barbara Willey attended as a guest with her husband Jim. (Photo: Bruce Moore)
 
Dave Putnam announced that the next Portland Rotary social will be held on September 15th, at the Easy Day Bowling / Sea Dog Brewing Club, 725 Broadway in  South Portland. We'll get rolling earlier, at 4pm.
 
Jon Young led the raffle drawing for $440. Paul Gore was lucky enough to draw the card, but his selection was not the Queen of Hearts so better luck next week!
 
 
Shout out for fall tennis! Commencement of 30 years of Portland Rotary tennis will begin on September 12th. Selection of teams will occur on August 30th. Contact Bill Blount for more information. Schedules will be organized after the teams are selected. (Photo Bill Blount)
 
 
 
 
Ellen Niewoehner announced that on Friday morning September 16th, 9 AM to Noon, we have a civic clean- up opportunity in Portland. Please get involved. The more volunteers the better!  Remember we do not have a Club meeting on that Friday, so please contact Ellen to join in!  (Photo: Ellen Niewoehner)
 
Tom Talbott reported about the Rotary ice cream social enjoyed with students at the Long Creek Youth. Rotary volunteers are encouraged to join this important youth service and participate with activities organized. Contact Mike Fortunato for info.
 
Dave Putnam shared a few thoughts about our Club’s involvement with the Long Creek community. Our club members have mentored the adolescent residents through the years, and there were times when he would go in to visit his mentee and a Rotarian was leaving from a visit. It gave him a good feeling to see fellow Rotarians mentoring youngsters in the Long Creek facility. The charitable "Friends of the Long Creek Youth Development Center" has on the Board many members who are Portland Rotarians. Thank you to all who have continued this important program with Long Creek. (Photo: Dave Putnam)
 
A group of Rotarians generally visit LCY on a monthly basis to bring in a meal or sometimes a dessert for a group of the residents. Two weeks ago they brought in ice creams sundaes, in June there was a burger and hot dog cook-out. Jon Young and John Thompson have been part of the monthly visits. Jon Young also joins Mike Fortunato in organizing and playing pickleball in the gym at the Long Creek facility. Don Lowry, President Bruce and Ellen Niewoehner have joined us in the past for the monthly visits.
Be a Proud "Flags For Heroes" Sponsor - Share The Opportunity!
John Thompson reported that the club is well on the way to setting up 100 flags with the name of a person who has made a contribution to the lives of our community. The event will be bigger than in the past, and media coverage has been approved by the Maine Mall. It might be possible to create a non-profit status for this program for those who donate. Tom Talbott will create a video to use in future years to help promote this program. John was moved to support the Flags for Heroes when he heard about the Maine Works program to help victims of substance use to have transportation. for travel to their jobs. Getting to their jobs is often challenging for those who are working towards their recovery. John has sponsored Maine Works for his Flag for Heroes contribution. (Photo: John Thompson)
 
PortlandRotary.org has a link to accept dedication contributions. Go to our website for easy instructions on how to be a sponsor. Friday, September 2nd is the last day we can take a sponsor - unless we sell out sooner!  Now is the time to act.  Remember, the event starts September 7th, and runs thru the 14th. It's a beautiful site, with a 100 special meanings.
Help Needed Loading Supplies - NOW THIS Saturday, August 27th
Support our District's Crutches4Africa Campaign!
Originally planned for August 20, the event will now be this Saturday August 27th, 9am. Rotarians will be loading the 12th container for shipment of mobility devices to Nigeria.  Loading will take place at 128 Saco Ave., Old Orchard Beach. If you can help for any amount of time, it would be greatly appreciated.
 
If you can help, please contact District Chair Dennis Robillard with an email, or text at 207-468-0443.  Crutches4Africa Website
District 7780 Recovery Conference - September 8th
Jan Chapman reported about the September 8th Recovery Conference at the Regatta Banquette & Conference Center, Eliot, Maine. Kennebunk Rotarian and Police Chief Bob MacKenzie will be leading the conference. Portland Rotary has two free tickets for anyone interested or participants can register with a $25 registration fee.  The theme is a Recovery Friendly Community with a focus on a Recovery Friendly Workplace. A lottery can be conducted to award the two free tickets, if necessary. Email Jan for more information, or visit the District 7780 website.  You can use this link for Registration.  (Photo Jan Chapman)
 
We need volunteers to help us fill backpacks with personal care items that will in turn be provided to people in recovery. This will be done on Saturday September 24, at 9 AM at the Recovery Community Center, 102 Bishop St, Portland, ME 04103. Thank you to those who have contributed to this program. Goodwill of Maine has donated backpacks.What to donate?  Use this handy  SignUpGenius for a list/quantity needed. If you have more questions, please email Jan Chapman!
 
We also are accepting cash donations as well as Hannaford Gift Cards and Metro tickets. Make checks payable to Rotary Club of Portland Maine, put 'Backpack Project' in the memo and bring it to a Club meeting, or snailmail to:
Jan Chapman, 1108 Sawyer Road, Cape Elizabeth, ME  04107.
 
Portland Sunrise Satellite Zoom Meetings
When: 1st and 4th Wednesdays at 7:30 AM 
Same link for every meeting!    CLICK HERE to Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 853 6341 5630       Passcode: 022825
Speaker Schedule
September 2 | No meeting - Enjoy Your Labor Day weekend!
September 9 | At the Maine Mall - Flags For Heroes
September 15 | Thursday Night Social EZ Day Bowl/Sebago Brew, South Portland 4pm
September 16 | No meeting with club social the night before
 
Club Executives
President  Bruce Jones
President Elect  Dick Hall
Vice President  Patty Byers
Treasurer  Dick Hall
Secretary  Bill Blount
Board of Directors  Ellen Niewoehner,
Bob Clark,  John Thompson, Ben Millick,
Quinn Slayton
Sergeant-At-Arms  Jake Bourdeau

 
The Windjammer
is published online by
The Rotary Club of Portland, Maine.
 

Contributing Editors
Bill Blount, Jake Bourdeau, Dick Hall,
Erik Jorgensen, Julie L’Heureux, Ben Lowry,
Tom Nickerson, Tom Talbott, Laura Young
 
1st Q Program Chair: Dave Putnam
       Managing Editor  Tom Talbott

 
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