Month: <span>March 2020</span>

Aroostook Teen Leadership Camp (ATLC) is pleased to announce that it has extended its contract with UMFK through 2024. ATLC will hold its 34^th camp from July 26-30, 2020. Focused on leadership development and drug prevention to teens currently in grades 6 – 8 in Aroostook County, ATLC is a program of the Aroostook Mental Health Services, Inc. (AMHC).

“UMFK began hosting ATLC’s summer camp in 2018 and we have found it to be a great fit,” shared Amber Stedt, Prevention Coordinator. “The campus provides the right amount of space – access to small and large classrooms and easy access to “the Quad” for all of our team building and outdoor activities. Campers stay in the college’s dormitories and eat meals in the cafeteria. The staff is great and willing to accommodate the many needs associated with a very busy week.”

Scott Voisine, UMFK’s Dean of Community Education states, “Our campus has fully enjoyed welcoming ATLC to UMFK for the past two summers and our new five-year contract will ensure a continued relationship with the program.  Having so many young and energetic youth leaders from all over Aroostook County on our campus for such a stellar program is something everyone on campus looks forward to.  These kids are our future leaders and we appreciate the opportunity to be part of their development.”

The deadline for this year’s camp registration is Thursday, April 9. Information is available in all Aroostook County middle schools with students in grades 6 – 8, or by calling 207-498-6431 or emailing Amber Stedt, Prevention Coordinator (astedt@amhc.org).

Since 1987, ATLC has mentored thousands of pre-teens and teens grades 6-12 in the process of social-emotional learning through a residential five-day summer camp augmented by a series of activities and programming through the school year. Pre-teens who attend as campers have the opportunity to become teen staff members who lead programming efforts. Goals include the prevention of early use of alcohol and other illegal drugs, leadership training to develop teen drug prevention leaders, and developing positive role models. For more information, connect with ATLC at www.atlc-camp.org.

Center for Integrated Neuro Rehab (CINR), a program of Aroostook Mental Health Services, Inc. (AMHC) is pleased to highlight Brain Injury Awareness Month during the month of March.

“Traumatic brain injuries are more common than many people think,” explained Pamela Searles, OTR/L,CBIS, Neuro-Rehabilitation Services Manager. “In Maine alone, on average every week, there are nearly 200 TBI-related hospital emergency department visits. At CINR, we work with individuals to assist them with gaining more skills in the areas of physical function, language/cognition, social/emotional wellbeing, and more independence with life skills. We want people to know that there is hope and help in overcoming the challenges associated with traumatic brain injury.”

Therapy at CINR includes artwork. “Our clients create beautiful paintings and other artwork,” explained Searles. As part of Brain Injury Awareness Month, artwork will be on display at the Caribou Public Library from March 16-31, 2020. “Our staff is excited to share the art created by our clients and we hope the community will stop by to enjoy their work.”

CINR will also host an open house at their facility at 159 Bennett Drive, Suite 1 in Caribou on March 18, 2020 from 10:30 a.m. -12:00. Clients will be sharing their stories of triumph in overcoming their injuries.

Brain injuries are most commonly sustained through falls, as well as strokes, and motor vehicle accidents. Since 2007, CINR has supported hundreds of individuals and their loved ones. They address intellectual, emotional and social functioning deficits to increase a brain injury survivor’s maximum recovery. Services may include psychological services, group therapy, family support groups, physical, occupational and speech therapy as well as community reintegration.

Fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, CINR is currently accepting client referrals. Please contact them at 207-498-3820 for more information and/or eligibility requirements.

Aroostook Recovery Center of Hope (ARCH) will now hold Nar-Anon meetings on Mondays at 7:00 p.m. Opened in 2019, ARCH is located at 36 North Street in Houlton. It is a place where individuals can come and receive support for their recovery journey, connecting people to resources and also serve as a venue for various recovery meetings.

“Nar-Anon is a 12-step support meeting for those affected by a loved one’s addiction,” explained Eugene McLaughlin III, Peer Support Specialist, and Volunteer Coordinator. “It is estimated that for each addicted person, 10 others are affected including spouses, children, parents, siblings, and co-workers. This is a safe space for people to give and receive support from those who understand.”

ARCH is a service of Aroostook Mental Health Services, Inc. (AMHC) in collaboration with Link for Hope. For more information on the activities or resources offered at ARCH, please contact Eugene McLaughlin at 254-2213.